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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: woods170 on 02/20/2019 07:16 am
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Discussion thread for the NROL-87 mission.
NSF Threads for NROL-87 : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47476.0)
NSF Articles for NROL-87 :
February 2, 2022 on Falcon 9 at 20:27 UTC (12:27pm PST), on new booster 1071 from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E to SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit).
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 2 for Falcon 9’s launch of NROL-87 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on February 3 at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC).
Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/ (https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/)The U.S. Air Force has divided $739 million in launch contracts between United Launch Alliance and SpaceX for six national security missions slated for 2021-2022. The contracts, awarded under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, were announced Tuesday evening by Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
SpaceX will receive $297 million to launch AFSPC-44, NROL-85, and NROL-87.
Earlier discussion on the contract is in the EELV Phase 1A-6 Thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44184.0).
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Here's the specific table from the RFP (attachment 5).
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The corresponding orbit is: 512.7km x 512.7km x 97.4°
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Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
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https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149
NET June 2021
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NET 2022
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149
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https://www.nro.gov/News/News-Articles/Article/2658542/nro-returns-to-virginias-space-coast-with-nrol-111/
NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
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Cross-post with image attached; launch circa February 2, 2022:
Presented by Col. Melone at today's [September 7] SPRSA meeting
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Cross-posts:
Mission 1494 from Vandy NET late January with no droneship listed. NROL-87? RTLS?
1981-EX-ST-2021 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053&RequestTimeout=1000)
<snip>
SFN Launch Schedule (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/), updated January 10.
Also, NROL-87 is listed in February, no date.
Apparently, plenty of room for a Vandenberg Starlink launch beforehand, if SpaceX desires.
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.
I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
Vandenberg SFB launch schedule for the immediate future:
2022 Launched:
№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)
February 2 NET Jun 2021/NLT Dec 2021 NET 2022 Feb ~Feb 2 Feb - NROL-87 - Falcon 9-139 140 (1071.1 L? 1063.4) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 20:27:36 16:37 to 21:38 19:07-21:38 20:18
(Sun-synchronous orbit satellites: launch at approximately the same time of day year-round)
2022 Scheduled:
№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)
NET February 14 NET Sept 2021 Oct 2021 NET Nov 2021 NET Dec 2021 NET Jan 2022 - Starlink 4-11? 2-3 2-TBD TBD (x52 x51? xTBD) (flight TBD/high-inclination flight 3 polar flight 1?) [v1.5 TBD v2.0 L3 L-TBD] - Falcon 9 (1063.4? 1063.4? 1051.12? S) - Vandenberg SLC-4E
(mid-inclination Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)
Changes on November 19th, 2020
Changes on May 17th, 2021
Changes on May 28th, 2021
Changes on June 15th, 2021
Changes on July 23rd, 2021
Changes on July 27th, 2021
Changes on August 15th, 2021
Changes on September 1st, 2021
Changes on September 7th, 2021
Changes on September 11th, 2021
Changes on October 22nd, 2021
Changes on November 5th, 2021
Changes on November 24th, 2021
Changes on December 10th, 2021
Changes on December 14th, 2021
Changes on December 15th, 2021
Changes on December 19th, 2021
Changes on January 7th, 2022
Changes on January 10th, 2022
Changes on January 19th, 2022
Changes on January 22nd, 2022
Changes on January 26th, 2022
Changes on January 27th, 2022
Changes on January 28th, 2022
Changes on February 1st, 2022
Changes on February 2nd, 2022
zubenelgenubi
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In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.
I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883
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In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.
I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883
Why would it be B1071's only launch?
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In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.
I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883 (https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883)
Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
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Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
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Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
This is the license where recovery is not mentioned:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053)
This is a license where first stage recovery is mentioned:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=110399 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=110399)
This Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich mission license (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=102607) also does not mention a landing, however, the feedback I have received is that for NROL-87 the first stage will not be recovered.
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Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included
1845-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (CSG-2?)
1811-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1709 FL Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)
1981-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1494 CA Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)
2038-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)
If Mission 1709 is O3b mPOWER 4-6, then it is an expendable mission. This would support the notion, that NROL-87 is also expendable.
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Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included
1845-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (CSG-2?)
1811-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1709 FL Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)
1981-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1494 CA Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)
2038-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)
If Mission 1709 is O3b mPOWER 4-6, then it is an expendable mission. This would support the notion, that NROL-87 is also expendable.
Also, in the post that you replicate where the four missions are, we can confirm that in Transporter-3 the ground landing was used and will be used in the CSG-2 mission.
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Is Feb 2nd a hard date like DART was or is it a more normal launch where there are frequent windows?
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See up-thread here (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47476.msg2287147#msg2287147).
February 2 was never a firm date.
Is Feb 2nd a hard date like DART was or is it a more normal launch where there are frequent windows?
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The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/1483919831636316160?s=21
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The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window. Ah, well.
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The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window. Ah, well.
Would it be going too far to suggest that the wording perhaps doesn't delineate a "launch window" as we typically define that?
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The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window. Ah, well.
Would it be going too far to suggest that the wording perhaps doesn't delineate a "launch window" as we typically define that?
Yeah, I think we've seen cases in the past where these long windows were narrowed down closer to launch.
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Especially with NROL missions. They like to keep the actual launch time secret as late as possible.
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From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners. Times are PST (UTC-08:00).
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS
Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
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From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners. Times are PST (UTC-08:00).
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS
Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
Well it looks pretty much like what we expected. A flight to sun synchronous orbit, likely for observation and doing some good ole spying heh
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
[zubenelgenubi: Added quote.]
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https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1484601791211786241
Pretty symbolic, don’t you think? The #NROL87 launch patch features a wild mountain goat standing proud atop a mountain peak remaining watchfully alert. NRO maintains constant vigilance from above in protecting our nation and its citizens.
#space #spacebound #vigilancefromabove
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In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.
I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883 (https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883)
Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
NextSpaceFlight (https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149) indicates that the Falcon 9 first stage will land in Landing Zone 4.
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Forecast shows clouds and scattered sprinkles. If they can't launch on the 2nd, is this the type of mission that will have another window on the 3rd or 4th and so on?
Anyone know what the fog situation has been like lately?
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Forecast shows clouds and scattered sprinkles. If they can't launch on the 2nd, is this the type of mission that will have another window on the 3rd or 4th and so on?
Anyone know what the fog situation has been like lately?
The notice from the USCG covers February 2 and February 3.
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https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1484601791211786241
Pretty symbolic, don’t you think? The #NROL87 launch patch features a wild mountain goat standing proud atop a mountain peak remaining watchfully alert. NRO maintains constant vigilance from above in protecting our nation and its citizens.
#space #spacebound #vigilancefromabove
Hmm. Looks too much like the Capella Space company logo in mirror image. :-\
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Picked up some cool swag recently. Like the logo.
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This one's better. Forgot I owned that carving.
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Possible first stages for NROL-87:
1063.4 or 1071.1.
No other plausible stages will be/are known to be available.
My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
Edit: correction
Edit Jan 26: Successful Static Fire. Booster ID not revealed.
Edit Jan 28: 1071.1 confirmed.
Edit Feb 2: Successful launch and LZ-4 landing.
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Possible first stages for Starlink 4-7:
1063.4 or 1071.1.
I'm going to assume you mean NROL-87 ;)
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My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
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Is there an image of the logo with a white background? Thanks.
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Is there an image of the logo with a white background? Thanks.
How about this?
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My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
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My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
I seem to recall mention of a successor to the KH-11's, of a new design--so not a KH-11 block 6. My recollection could very well be faulty. PT's post up-thread:
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
You are correct to mention possible incompatibility with horizontal launch integration. Unless accommodating such is a feature designed for?
Can any of our experts speak to this?
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There still is a west coast Delta IV Heavy left.
No long Falcon 9 fairings yet.
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https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1486442301597491200
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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?
One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis. 1063.4 wears some soot. 1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖
Edited
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From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners. Times are PST (UTC-08:00).
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS
Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
The new USCG District 11 weekly Local Notice to Mariners has a different start time. The times are PST (UTC-08:00). So the old start time (see above) was 16:37 UTC. The new start time (see below) is 19:07 UTC.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS
Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 11:07am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?
One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis. 1063.4 wears some soot. 1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖
Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?
One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis. 1063.4 wears some soot. 1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖
Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
then b1071.1
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NGA notice. Note that it has the same later 19:07 UTC start time to the warning period as in the revised USCG notice.
280731Z JAN 22
NAVAREA XII 45/22(17,18,19).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS:
A. 1907Z TO 2138Z DAILY 02 AND 03 FEB
IN AREA BOUND BY
34-42N 120-41W, 34-41N 120-32W,
34-31N 120-26W, 34-18N 120-30W,
33-40N 120-53W, 32-10N 121-24W,
31-25N 121-27W, 31-07N 121-40W,
31-09N 121-55W, 31-35N 121-52W,
32-17N 121-27W, 34-29N 120-46W.
B. 2110Z TO 2249Z DAILY 02 AND 03 FEB
IN AREAS BOUND BY
54-00N 144-30W, 50-45N 134-30W,
29-15N 140-00W, 32-30N 150-30W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 032349Z FEB 22.
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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?
One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis. 1063.4 wears some soot. 1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖
Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
NextSpaceFlight (https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149) also states that it is B1071
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NGA notice. Note that it has the same later 19:07 UTC start time to the warning period as in the revised USCG notice.
<snip>
Launch time is revealed to be within the window, but not at the opening.
Cross-post:
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Update January 28
Feb. 2 • Falcon 9 • NROL-87
Launch time: 2018 GMT (3:18 p.m. EST; 12:18 p.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=244051521246546&set=a.164921892492843
National Reconnaissance Office 1m
·One of the coolest jobs at the NRO is being Mission Manager of a launch.
In an exclusive interview with #NROL87 Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse, we take an inside look at the role, the mission, and the hard work it takes to successfully put a payload on orbit.
Stay tuned to hear the interview on the next episode of The Dish podcast airing later this week.
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On missions like this, are people restricted to vantage points so far away that they can't really experience the launch?
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Here's the NRO Press Kit.
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Spaceflight Now says that B1071 will fly another NRO mission later this year, maybe NROL-85?
It will mark the fourth landing of a Falcon rocket booster at Vandenberg. SpaceX plans to refurbish the booster for another flight later this year for the NRO, an agency spokesperson told Spaceflight Now.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/01/31/spacex-preps-for-launch-of-spy-satellite-payload-from-california-this-week/ (https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/01/31/spacex-preps-for-launch-of-spy-satellite-payload-from-california-this-week/)
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Departure! NRC Quest is outbound for the Pacific Ocean to recover the fairing during the upcoming NROL-87 mission.
Booster will RTLS to LZ-4.
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1488321661539606532
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https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1488512517274050560
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Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.
Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?
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I'm going to take the drive up with a camera and a big lens. Will be somewhere in that mishmash of roads west of Lompoc, wherever I can get. I know about the roadblocks, so hopefully I can find a nice spot regardless.
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Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.
Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?
I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
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Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.
Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?
I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
This dedicated thread will help you: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (http://https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)
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Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.
Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?
I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
This dedicated thread will help you: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (http://https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)
That link is broken - fixed here: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)
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Is anyone live-streaming this?
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Is anyone live-streaming this?
I'm on SpaceX.com at T-5 and nothing shows, so probably not.
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The launch is tomorrow...
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¡Welcome Falcon 9 B1071!
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488630264599232513 (https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1488630345922596867)
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The launch is tomorrow...
3rd RTLS in a month, that has to make the recovery crews very happy.
Nothing like a Vandy Landing.
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https://twitter.com/sandovalphotos/status/1488629642491674626
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https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488663645999403009
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It's too white. It doesn't look like a rocket.
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Falcon on the best coast.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1488630285591740417
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SpaceX Falcon 9 B1071 is still horizontal as of sunset, ahead of tomorrow’s launch of NROL-87. Here are some additional photos from remote camera setup.
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488680261436915712
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SpaceX Livestream
https://youtu.be/bVk8XyjhTKo
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1488774356926824448
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NROL-87 information
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 2 for Falcon 9’s launch of NROL-87 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on February 3 at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC).
Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/nrol-87/index.html
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https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488759643266560003
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Mission Patch by SpaceX.
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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=245490364435995&set=a.164921892492843
National Reconnaissance Office 7h ·
#NROL87 has a lot of "firsts" for NRO. It's our first launch of 2022, first rocket core to be reused in a future launch, and first #SpaceX Falcon 9 under the National Security Space Launch contract.
Hear more from Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse in our latest #podcast episode on the Dish. 🎧 🛰️ Listen → https://bit.ly/3ghrQFs
https://soundcloud.com/user-553105389/sitting-down-with-nrol-87-mission-manager-maj-emily-stanhouse?fbclid=IwAR3ZwvpBXUPwLeGbney6DVSxpqt_xk_101giR76Iz3FVM75Nlf-6XZvvxvI
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The launch is tomorrow...
3rd RTLS in a month, that has to make the recovery crews very happy.
Nothing like a Vandy Landing.
yes lz-4 is 0.2 mile from slc-4e and LZ-1 and LZ-2 is about 6 mile from SLC-40 and pad 39a
So nothing like that and maybe (may not be) longer boostback burn (I haven't seen Vandy landing)
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Here clean circular mission patch
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Trajectory on first revolution.
estimated elset: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2022/0007.html
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"Press kit" capture with OCR, plus bonus
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NROL-87 Mission Control Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43ccMkInZ8
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NSF Stream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJp6IgEz8Gk
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New T-0 announced on the Countdown Net:
20:27:26 Z (UTC) -- 12:27:26 Z Local (PST)
Attention on Countdown 1, this is Launch Director.
Mission Director has implemented a new T-0.
The new T-0 is 20 : 27 : 26 Zulu; That's 12:27 and 26 seconds Local.
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T-38 minutes. A short launch poll was performed. Go for launch was given.
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T-36 minutes. Go for propellant loading has been given.
NSF stream has started.
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T-35 minutes. Launch auto sequence has started, indicating start of propellant loading.
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T-25 minutes.
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T-20 minute vent, indicating second stage RP-1 loading is complete.
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T-16 minutes. Second stage LOX loading should be starting about now.
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NROL-87 Mission - Music Playing
https://youtu.be/bVk8XyjhTKo
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SpaceX coverage has started.
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Spacecraft is on internal power.
T-10 minutes. NRO video.
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T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting about now. Showing landing zone 4.
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T-6 minutes. Stage 1 RP-1 loading is complete.
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T-4 minutes. Strongback retracting. Go for launch given.
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T-3 minutes. Stage 1 LOX load is complete.
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T-2 minutes.
Stage 2 LOX load complete.
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T-1 minute. LD is go for launch. Falcon 9 is in startup.
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Liftoff! Go goat!
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T+1 minute.
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T+2 minutes.
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First stage separation.
T+3 minutes. Fairing separation (not shown).
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T+4 minutes. Going back to launch site.
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T+5 minutes.
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T+6 minutes.
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Entry burn.
T+7 minutes.
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Touchdown!
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Ending coverage at the request of the NRO.
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An interesting piece of ice shed by the first stage during descent.
What is this made of? Nitrogen?
Edit: This is a great replication of Galileo’s classic experiment where the heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.
In the near vacuum at 120 km, the multi-ton stage and the featherweight frost ring fall together towards Earth.
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Thank you, Steven, for the launch thread live coverage!
Great job, NSF webcasters!
Provisionally Second successful SpaceX launch of a trio!
CSG-2, January 31, from Canaveral SLC-40;
NROL-87, February 2, from Vandenberg SLC-4E;
And coming up tomorrow, Starlink 4-7, from Kennedy LC-39A.
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This satellite could be a new kind of electro-optical reconnaissance satellite, but not the direct successor to KH-11.
My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
I seem to recall mention of a successor to the KH-11's, of a new design--so not a KH-11 block 6. My recollection could very well be faulty. PT's post up-thread:
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
You are correct to mention possible incompatibility with horizontal launch integration. Unless accommodating such is a feature designed for?
Can any of our experts speak to this?
There still is a west coast Delta IV Heavy left.
No long Falcon 9 fairings yet.
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Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.
Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
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Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.
Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
Typical government classified materials call
The satellite, even behind the second stage with its engine plume and 200 km away, still falls under the rule of “No Public Photographs”.
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Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.
Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
Or probably they didn't want to show any of the separation of the fairings being a satellite...you know....military
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Second successful SpaceX launch of a trio!
We can't call this a successful launch until NRO says its payload was delivered as expected. Should be an announcement later today. May have required a second stage restart, etc.
- Ed Kyle
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Liftoff and landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the NROL-87 mission out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Absolutely beautiful launch! Now we cross out fingers that remote cameras worked.
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488984096458125319
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The launch and landing of SpaceX Falcon 9, successfully completing the NROL-87 Mission out of Vandenberg SFB in California.
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488987936863371264
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Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.
Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
Typical government classified materials call
The satellite, even behind the second stage with its engine plume and 200 km away, still falls under the rule of “No Public Photographs”.
The mission patch suggests a vehicle with a wide field of view, low light and motion sensitivity.
Unless the mountain goat is meant to symbolize the ability to leap from plane to plane, like the peaks in the background.
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An interesting piece of ice shed by the first stage during descent.
What is this made of? Nitrogen?
Edit: This is a great replication of Galileo’s classic experiment where the heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.
In the near vacuum at 120 km, the multi-ton stage and the featherweight frost ring fall together towards Earth.
We have seen these semi-circular pieces of ice on multiple other Falcon 9 launches.
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The mission patch suggests a vehicle with a wide field of view, low light and motion sensitivity.
Unless the mountain goat is meant to symbolize the ability to leap from plane to plane, like the peaks in the background.
Caveat: Patch art analysis has become less illuminating since NRO management started enforcing a directive not to give away too many clues in the artwork.
The mountain goat 🐐 may only be featured because it's a cool wild American animal. 😎
"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_DYop-OFDzk
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Mission Success.
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488998396778143752?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
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First official SpaceX images of the launch (taken from the code of the page), in a few hours more and with better quality will be released.
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489017819190595588
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489020713935589380
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Amazing View!
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489046664807477251
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From this:
New T-0 announced on the Countdown Net:
20:27:26 Z (UTC) -- 12:27:26 Z Local (PST)
Attention on Countdown 1, this is Launch Director.
Mission Director has implemented a new T-0.
The new T-0 is 20 : 27 : 26 Zulu; That's 12:27 and 26 seconds Local.
And the official webcast:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=bVk8XyjhTKo
I produced this little table:
T+min:sec UTC Event
00:00 20:27:26 Lift-off
01:00 20:28:26 Supersonic
01:10 20:28:36 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
02:24 20:29:50 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
02:27 20:29:53 1st and 2nd stages separate
02:35 20:30:01 2nd stage engine starts
02:36 20:30:02 1st stage boostback burn begins
02:45 20:30:11 Fairing deployment
03:19 20:30:45 1st stage boostback burn complete
06:32 20:33:58 1st stage entry burn begins
06:55 20:34:21 1st stage entry burn complete
07:42 20:35:08 1st stage landing burn begins
08:15 20:35:41 1st stage lands on Landing Zone 4
Cheers!
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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1489067149335285760?s=20&t=np3kUKoiQuRvUFwCoZkGYg
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https://mobile.twitter.com/lavie154/status/1489064250572083208
Taken in different frame
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https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/1488987016767279104?s=20&t=np3kUKoiQuRvUFwCoZkGYg
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https://mobile.twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1488984034097065984
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https://mobile.twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488919196033503237
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https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488987936863371264?s=20&t=fW1gb72NKtEiKKlsGVDzpQ
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https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489045082925793284?s=20&t=fW1gb72NKtEiKKlsGVDzpQ
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https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1489061041237487616?s=20&t=iuT4VVDWfIW2KqySFoFsLw
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489034700882530313?s=20&t=xryqwRJCR1GNRWnpqZOrwA
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Here is a comparison of the first stage telemetry from the CSG-2 and NROL-87 webcasts.
1. NROL-87 spent much longer in the throttle bucket for Max-Q, perhaps reflecting increased sensitivity to an NROL mission failure.
2. NROL-87 MECO was at 1680m/s, compared to CSG-2 at 1660m/s. This extra velocity lead to increased 'hang time', apogee, and elapsed time to RTLS.
3. Apart from NROL-87, I don't have complete first stage telemetry for any Vandenberg RTLS missions to SSO. However, the recent CSG-2 mission from the Cape was also to SSO, with the additional requirement of doglegs by both stages. The CSG-2 payload was ~2,205kg, so the NROL-87 payload should have been substantially greater than 2,205kg.
4. SAOCOM-1A was another Vandenberg RTLS mission to SSO, with the additional requirement of direct injection to a 625km circular orbit. It delivered 3,000kg, so NROL-87 should also be heavier than 3,000kg.
5. The SHERPA mission from Vandenberg to SSO required a drone ship landing, and the payload was 4,000kg, so the NROL-87 payload should be somewhat less than 4,000kg.
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I wonder if this obviously fake aircraft that has suddenly appeared at Area 51 is a calibration target for this mission.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44057/mysterious-aircraft-spotted-at-area-51-in-unprecedented-satellite-image
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Remote wide angle video shot of SpaceX Falcon 9 - NROL-87 launching and landing w/ high fidelity audio.
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489070514530238470
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2. NROL-87 MECO was at 1680m/s, compared to CSG-2 at 1660m/s. This extra velocity lead to increased 'hang time', apogee, and elapsed time to RTLS.
The main cause of the extra hang time appears to be a more lofted trajectory, not the difference in cutoff speed. There are two pieces of evidence: First, an extra 20 m/s should result in at most 4 extra seconds of hang time (actually less, since the velocity is not all vertical), but the delta in hang time is much longer. Second, the angle at cutoff is directly shown by the acceleration during the coast between cutoff and boostback. This is known to be -1G, directed at the Earth, in both cases. We don't see -1G, though, since we (SpaceX telemetry) are viewing it from an angle. NROL-87 shows a value closer to -1, meaning it is closer to pure vertical than CSG-2.
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5. The SHERPA mission from Vandenberg to SSO required a drone ship landing, and the payload was 4,000kg, so the NROL-87 payload should be somewhat less than 4,000kg.
That mission needed a droneship but not for performance reasons, the droneship was stationed off shore from Vandenberg so it was almost as if it were an RTLS. They just couldn't do an RTLS because of an NRO launch from Delta IV Heavy's pad south of SLC-4E was already on the pad and the NRO asked to move away from an RTLS.
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489252598334984195
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Did I miss the status of fairing recovery?
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Did I miss the status of fairing recovery?
The ship isn't back in port yet. We won't know the result until then (if someone takes photos, that is).
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489278443971702790?s=20&t=7Gew-BvjD9kAGhT5Zp5G0g
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I wonder if this obviously fake aircraft that has suddenly appeared at Area 51 is a calibration target for this mission.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44057/mysterious-aircraft-spotted-at-area-51-in-unprecedented-satellite-image
The shape is a bit like SAAB J-35 Draken.
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VSFB Footage:
https://youtu.be/4-sXag4q3io
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https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489295078623309825?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
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https://twitter.com/opbphotos/status/1489064867277328385?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
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https://twitter.com/opbphotos/status/1489283971250720770?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
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Other SpaceX images of the launch, more images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex
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Humans for scale.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489363154425548806
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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1489355589708771335?s=20&t=51Iyt2cyxBSWEPtTuzOaLA
Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489424612744040449?s=20&t=wtFlMpMmwch3U7ySRbYYYg
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Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??
Wdym?
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Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??
Wdym?
means is it just a image showing booster after landing or is it a image where booster is being prepared to be taken to Refurbishing facility like the one we got next day after B1052 landing
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Compressed 24 hours of remote 4k video into 30 secs. on SpaceX's landing pad for NROL-87 mission.
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489451416884105217
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Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??
Wdym?
means is it just a image showing booster after landing or is it a image where booster is being prepared to be taken to Refurbishing facility like the one we got next day after B1052 landing
It's just a photo of the booster on the landing pad after landing I mean, I'm not sure what the question here could be
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This is very cool!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1489657773516279812
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0SWkVONUQ
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Top-notch footage and editing! - That booster separation "right next to" the cloud was something else.
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https://hamsat1.home.xs4all.nl/tle.tle
USA 326
1 51445U 22009A 22035.50299400 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 06
2 51445 97.9000 136.8017 0023641 203.6002 299.8284 15.19316440 07
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Epic pic https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489821361744715777?s=20&t=-7I5dwRcLtzSWZUa2yvjOg
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A closer looks at Falcon 9 leg actuation before touching down at Vandenberg SFB following the NROL-87 mission. My remote camera was framed to capture a few frames of the process.
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1490174780229636105
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Launch and landing of Falcon 9 during the NROL-87 mission. Easily one of my favorite remote video cameras that I have set so far.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160
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Launch and landing of Falcon 9 during the NROL-87 mission. Easily one of my favorite remote video cameras that I have set so far.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160 (https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160)
It’s good we have pretty much retired the expression “hover-slam”.
It neither hovers or slams, but particularly from this distance, it alights, making jet landings look violent by comparison.
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https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489288945196154882
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Falcon 9 coming in hot just before leg deployment and landing. Rummaging through more remote camera captures from the NROL-87 mission out of Vandenberg SFB.
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1490935879723929600
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VSFB footage:
https://youtu.be/IpbAA4DzrR8
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Has there been any information about fairing recovery?
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https://youtu.be/ivIqafxIqA8
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https://youtu.be/ivIqafxIqA8
If this was the highlights video, I think they reuploaded for some reason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAMLUYP2YZY