Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/19/2022 09:29 pmThe 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.
The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/19/2022 10:23 pmQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/19/2022 09:29 pmThe 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?
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONSHazardous 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 120-41-00W34-41-00N 120-32-00W34-31-00N 120-26-00W34-18-00N 120-30-00W33-40-00N 120-53-00W32-10-00N 121-24-00W31-25-00N 121-27-00W31-07-00N 121-40-00W31-09-00N 121-55-00W31-35-00N 121-52-00W32-17-00N 121-27-00W34-29-00N 120-46-00WMariners 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.
From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners. Times are PST (UTC-08:00).Quote from: USCGSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONSHazardous 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 120-41-00W34-41-00N 120-32-00W34-31-00N 120-26-00W34-18-00N 120-30-00W33-40-00N 120-53-00W32-10-00N 121-24-00W31-25-00N 121-27-00W31-07-00N 121-40-00W31-09-00N 121-55-00W31-35-00N 121-52-00W32-17-00N 121-27-00W34-29-00N 120-46-00WMariners 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.
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.
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
Quote from: Rekt1971 on 01/17/2022 10:03 amQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 06:08 amQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pmIn 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/1472740560742010883Why 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.
Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 06:08 amQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pmIn 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/1472740560742010883Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pmIn 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
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).
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?
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1484601791211786241QuotePretty 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
Possible first stages for Starlink 4-7:1063.4 or 1071.1.
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.
Is there an image of the logo with a white background? Thanks.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/23/2022 06:31 pmMy >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
Quote from: Jim on 01/23/2022 07:34 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/23/2022 06:31 pmMy >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 payloadJust 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.