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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: gongora on 02/02/2017 04:12 pm

Title: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 02/02/2017 04:12 pm
Discussion thread for Bangabandhu-1 satellite launching on Falcon 9

NSF Threads for Bangabandhu-1 : Discussion (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42214.0) / Updates (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.0)
NSF Articles for Bangabandhu-1 :

Successful launch of Falcon 9 on May 11, 2018 from KSC-39A at 1614 EDT/2014 UTC.  First Block 5 booster, B1046.  ASDS landing was successful.



Press Release: Thales Alenia Space to build Bangabandhu telecommunication satellite for Bangladesh [Nov. 11, 2015] (https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-build-bangabandhu-telecommunication-satellite)
Quote
Cannes, November 11, 2015  - Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has signed a contract with BTRC, (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) to build the telecommunications satellite, Bangabandhu, winning the contract against an international field of competitors. This satellite will narrow the digital divide, as it will take broadcasting and telecommunication services to rural areas and introduce profitable services, including direct-to-home services, across the country and over the region.

As program prime contractor of this turnkey system, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the design, production, testing and the delivery in orbit of the satellite.

This satellite is based on the flight proven heritage of Thales Alenia Space with 81 Spacebus already ordered and more than 600 cumulated years in orbit. Built on the upgraded Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Bangabandhu will be fitted with 26 Ku-Band and 14 C-Band transponders. The satellite’s coverage zone encompasses the Bangladesh and the surrounding region. This system will offer capacity in Ku-Band over Bangladesh and its territorial waters of the Bay of Bengal, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Indonesia; it will also provide capacity in C-Band over the whole region.

Thales Alenia Space will also take charge of  the ground segment, which will benefit of the SpaceOps Thales Alenia Space tools for the mission planning and monitoring. It includes two ground facility buildings gathering Satellite Control and Network Operations Center based on the SpaceGate Thales Alenia Space global solution. Spectra Engineers Ltd., Thales partner in Bangladesh, is in charge of the civil work of the ground facilities.

To be launched in 2017, this Bangladesh's first satellite will be positioned at 119.1° East longitude.

“Thales Alenia Space is proud to have been selected by the BTRC for the first iconic Bangladeshi Telecom satellite. This satellite identified with the famous Nation's father name, Bangabandhu, is a key milestones for the Bangladesh country telecommunication development and a fantastic support to the national economy growth and Asian region recognition. Thales Alenia Space is honored to be associated to this great expansion plan”, said Jean Loïc Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

"The contract for this telecommunications satellite signed with Thales Alenia Space, the key European player in space telecommunication, marks a major turning point in the history of Bangladesh, not only reducing the digital divide, but also generating business development and creating jobs," said Md Golam Razzaque, Bangabandhu Project Director of BTRC. "We hope to carry out the launch on the 46th anniversary of our country's Victory Day, which will be on December 16th , 2017 ”.
 

Space News: Bangladesh Taps Thales Alenia To Build 1st Telecom Satellite [Nov. 11, 2015] (http://spacenews.com/bangladesh-taps-thales-alenia-space-to-build-first-telecom-satellite/)
Quote
The contract, valued at $248 million, includes the construction of the 3,500-kilogram Bangabandhu-1, its launch — likely aboard a European Ariane 5 rocket — and the associated ground segment including satellite control and network operations centers. Loan guarantees have been provided by the French export credit agency, Coface.
...
Bangladesh has had difficulty securing an orbital slot for its satellite and ultimately purchased rights to 119.1 degrees east from the international Intersputnik organization of Moscow. The 15-year, renewable lease is valued at about $27.5 million and was concluded in January.

Tweet from Peter B. de Selding (https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/819840192328638465) [Jan. 13, 2017]
Quote
Thales: Bangladesh Bangabandhu Ku-/C-band sat CDR OK, payload/platform mating in March. Thales-ordered SpaceX launch Dec 2017 [tight sched].

Bangabandhu-1 on Gunter's Space Page (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bangabandhu-1.htm)



Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent) (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews) (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/dragon/)  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0)
   L2 SpaceX Section (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/17/2017 08:54 am
Quote
Faith in @SpaceX sched: Bangladeshi PM Hasina, right, shows model of @Thales_Alenia_S-built Bangabandhu-1 telecom sat & affirms Dec launch.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/853884668638318592 (https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/853884668638318592)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Dao Angkan on 05/30/2017 08:44 pm
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/05/29/bangabandhu-satellite-to-go-commercial-in-june-next-year-says-tarana

Quote
Bangabandhu satellite to go commercial in June next year, says Tarana


The commercial operation of Bangabandhu satellite will start in June next year after the launch in December this year, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim has said.

She spoke at a press conference on the progress of the launch at the secretariat on Monday.

“We are certain that the launch will take place in the first or last week of December. It will be able to start the commercial operation in June, 2018,” she said.

She said in case of any problem the launch might be deferred to January. “There will be no problem if the weather remains calm in Florida in the US in December.”


The satellite will have 40 transponders. Bangladesh will use 20 of those for its own and the rest will be rented. The government hopes to save $14 million annually on rent the country is now paying to foreign satellites.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to share the joy of sending Bangladesh’s first satellite into space with people through video conferencing from her residence, the Ganabhaban, Tarana said.

The final countdown will begin in Bangladesh a week before the launch which will be broadcast live, she said.

The December schedule for the launch using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was announced earlier.

State Minister Tarana recently visited the facility of Franco-Italian aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space in France where the satellite is being built.

Tarana said some tests on initial performance, vacuum, final performance, and final preparation  would be conducted before the launch.

“They (Thales Alenia Space) said it would be possible to finish the end-to-end test in the first week of December,” she added.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Norm38 on 05/30/2017 09:18 pm
I guess a public official for a state owned entity can say whatever she wants.  But a PR person for a publically traded company would probably get in trouble by promising that a launch date 6 months out is "certain".
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: tvg98 on 05/30/2017 09:42 pm
Is there any indication of whether they are using a new or flight proven Falcon 9 first stage?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ragmar on 08/12/2017 08:21 pm
Quote
Bangabandhu satellite ground station at final stage, says State Minister Tarana
  Shamim Ahamed from Gazipur,  bdnews24.com
Published: 2017-07-15 23:59:11.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-15 23:59:11.0 BdST


Previous Next
The construction of the ground station for Bangladesh's first satellite is at the final stage, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim has said.

After visiting the ground station site in Gazipur's Joydebpur on Saturday, she told reporters that the work would end in September.

"With the installations of two antennas weighing 10 tonnes, the work is 95 percent complete," Tarana said.

The state minister said there would be six alternative power supply modes at the station.

The station would have a trial run in November before the final blast in December, she added.

Tarana also hoped the commercial operation of the satellite, named Bangabandhu - 1, would start in April next year.

Shafiq Ahmed Chaudhuri, a representative of US-based Space Partnership International or SPI, said 105 people would be needed to run the ground station.

SPI is the consulting firm for the project's market evaluation, training and ground station management.

Project Director Mohammad Mesbahuzzaman said the work to set up another ground station as a backup in Rangamati's Betbunia was also at the final stage.

The satellite will have 40 transponders. Bangladesh will use 20 of those for its own, and the rest will be rented. The government hopes to save $14 million annually on rent the country is now paying to foreign satellites.

The final countdown will begin in Bangladesh a week before the launch which will be broadcast live.

The December schedule for the launch using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was announced earlier.

State Minister Tarana recently visited the facility of Franco-Italian aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space in France where the satellite is being built.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 11/24/2017 08:39 pm
Bangabandhu launch now planned for March 2018
(source (http://www.webtimemedias.com/article/thales-alenia-space-les-bangladais-ont-chante-devant-leur-satellite-20171124-61367))

Quote
Now completed, the satellite will leave Cannes in February for a launch in March in Florida on a Falcon 9 launcher
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Mike Jones on 11/26/2017 01:04 pm
This launch was supposed to take place in December 2017. Another customer deadline missed by SpaceX.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rockets4life97 on 11/26/2017 01:07 pm
This launch was supposed to take place in December 2017. Another customer deadline missed by SpaceX.

Considering the manifest backlog, a couple month slip (vs 6 months or more) is progress for SpaceX.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/26/2017 04:25 pm
This launch was supposed to take place in December 2017. Another customer deadline missed by SpaceX.
That is interesting phraseology “deadline”
This word is usually used when there is something that has to be done by a date certain, due to , for example the daily publication of a newspaper. If you miss the deadline, your article doesn’t get published today.

Do you have some personal knowledge that the contract required launch in December 2017 before launch contract consessions would be owed?  Or, are you implying that the December launch date was simply the NET date, which, with space launch business hold little water.   

While this launch provider, SpaceX, has missed lots of NET dates. They also are on track to launch around 19+ times this year, and are capturing market share. This implies that the customers are generally happy with the package being offered, all despite your implication that the missing of a “deadline” is a concern.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 11/26/2017 04:31 pm
SpaceX is still months behind on their commercial payloads, just like they've been for the last year, and that delay won't go away until at least late 2018.  None of that is new or surprising information considering they had two vehicle failures that slowed down their progress right before a huge number of contracts were starting to come due in the late 2016 to mid-2018 time period.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 11/26/2017 05:55 pm
SpaceX is still months behind on their commercial payloads, just like they've been for the last year, and that delay won't go away until at least late 2018.  None of that is new or surprising information considering they had two vehicle failures that slowed down their progress right before a huge number of contracts were starting to come due in the late 2016 to mid-2018 time period.

I’d think there biggest delay at the moment will be the Zuma payload, especially as its high priority means that all other payloads will have to wait in the queue behind it until it’s launched.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mn on 11/26/2017 07:07 pm
SpaceX is still months behind on their commercial payloads, just like they've been for the last year, and that delay won't go away until at least late 2018.  None of that is new or surprising information considering they had two vehicle failures that slowed down their progress right before a huge number of contracts were starting to come due in the late 2016 to mid-2018 time period.

I’d think there biggest delay at the moment will be the Zuma payload, especially as its high priority means that all other payloads will have to wait in the queue behind it until it’s launched.

If there is a problem with the fairings all other payloads (except CRS) will be waiting for the same reason as Zuma, regardless of priority.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 11/26/2017 07:09 pm
SpaceX is still months behind on their commercial payloads, just like they've been for the last year, and that delay won't go away until at least late 2018.  None of that is new or surprising information considering they had two vehicle failures that slowed down their progress right before a huge number of contracts were starting to come due in the late 2016 to mid-2018 time period.

I’d think there biggest delay at the moment will be the Zuma payload, especially as its high priority means that all other payloads will have to wait in the queue behind it until it’s launched.

If there is a problem with the fairings all other payloads (except CRS) will be waiting for the same reason as Zuma, regardless of priority.

That’s true but they are still going to queued behind Zuma.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Mike Jones on 11/26/2017 08:01 pm
Bangladesh requested this launch  to be performed by 16th December 2017 (their independence Day) .
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 11/27/2017 04:33 am
Bangladesh requested this launch  to be performed by 16th December 2017 (their independence Day) .

That seems very unlikely at this time.

Have we seen FAA/FCC stuff for this bird?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lar on 11/27/2017 08:19 am
This launch was supposed to take place in December 2017. Another customer deadline missed by SpaceX.
(mod) How exactly is this a helpful post?

Mike Jones: Feel free to PM me your explanation, because from where I am sitting, it adds nothing at all, except a cheap shot (which is negative value).

Everyone else, unless you have actual information to add (like something from the media about the contract), save it for Facebook. The posts so far have covered the matter sufficiently, I think.  NET dates are just that, NET, and we all know this.

Bangladesh requested this launch  to be performed by 16th December 2017 (their independence Day) .

Do you have a citation or are you just working from memory?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 11/29/2017 10:16 pm
[The Daily Star] Satellite launch deferred to March (http://www.thedailystar.net/business/satellite-launch-deferred-march-1498483)
Quote
The launch of Bangladesh's first commercial satellite Bangabandhu-1 has been pushed to March, although its construction has been completed by the French manufacturer, owing to the packed schedule of the US launching station.

...

Mahmood said a precise date has not been set yet but the probable launch could take place in March as per Thales's information.

A top official of the Bangabandhu Satellite Launch Project, requesting anonymity, said there is a 95 percent chance that the launch would be carried out by March. If the date is missed, it would certainly be launched by the second week of April.

...

“The US firm has a very busy launching schedule. We asked SpaceX to use a new rocket to launch the satellite. It takes time to manage everything,” said the BTRC chief.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 01/17/2018 08:37 pm
A bunch of news articles say that last week (Jan. 12) a government minister in Bangladesh gave a target of March 26-31 for the Bangabandhu-1 launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mazen hesham on 02/15/2018 05:00 pm
Guys I think these Launch and Landing FCC permits we thought were for TESS are actually for Bangabandhu-1 from LC-39A , Do you agree ?
But the landing cooridinates are half the distance of usual GTO landing cooridnates , Could it be because this sat is very light ?
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82383&RequestTimeout=1000
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82387&RequestTimeout=1000
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 02/15/2018 05:25 pm
Guys I think these Launch and Landing FCC permits we thought were for TESS are actually for Bangabandhu-1 from LC-39A , Do you agree ?
But the landing cooridinates are half the distance of usual GTO landing cooridnates , Could it be because this sat is very light ?
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82383&RequestTimeout=1000
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82387&RequestTimeout=1000

I'm still leaning towards Mission 1418 being Bangabandhu-1.  I'll guess we'll find out in a month or so.  If Bangabandhu-1 launches before 3/30 without the permits changing then it would be mission 1380.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lesterthedolphin on 02/20/2018 05:02 pm
Is there anything other than the timing schedule that can give us some indication if this launch will be on a block5?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rockets4life97 on 02/20/2018 05:05 pm
Is there anything other than the timing schedule that can give us some indication if this launch will be on a block5?

It is the next scheduled launch with a new booster (see the manifest thread). The most recent new booster to leave the factory (B1046) was reported as Block V. One month is plenty of time for the booster to get to McGregor for a test fire and then get to the Cape for launch preparations.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lesterthedolphin on 02/20/2018 05:15 pm
Is there anything other than the timing schedule that can give us some indication if this launch will be on a block5?

It is the next scheduled launch with a new booster (see the manifest thread). The most recent new booster to leave the factory (B1046) was reported as Block V. One month is plenty of time for the booster to get to McGregor for a test fire and then get to the Cape for launch preparations.

To me that's still circumstancial - timing proves that it could be a block 5, but it doesn't rule out that it's still a new block 4. What I'm basically asking is that the new booster we saw pictures of on the road is indeed a block 5.  I don't think there's any public news on that yet, is there?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rockets4life97 on 02/20/2018 05:18 pm
What I'm basically asking is that the new booster we saw pictures of on the road is indeed a block 5.  I don't think there's any public news on that yet, is there?

If you are looking for hard evidence, you'll have to wait for when the booster rolls out.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: envy887 on 02/20/2018 05:49 pm
What I'm basically asking is that the new booster we saw pictures of on the road is indeed a block 5.  I don't think there's any public news on that yet, is there?

If you are looking for hard evidence, you'll have to wait for when the booster rolls out.

Unless someone can catch it on the stand at McGregor.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/27/2018 11:30 am
So right now it looks like this one gets to fly the Block 5 that's now turned up at McGregor.....

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/first-falcon-9-block-5-readying-static-fire-mcgregor-rapid-reuse/

- By Ian Atkinson (covering the evolution of Falcon 9 through to this first Block 5 arriving on the test stand). Photos by NSF's Gary Blair for L2 McGregor.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cppetrie on 02/27/2018 03:07 pm
What I'm basically asking is that the new booster we saw pictures of on the road is indeed a block 5.  I don't think there's any public news on that yet, is there?

If you are looking for hard evidence, you'll have to wait for when the booster rolls out.

Unless someone can catch it on the stand at McGregor.
Caught, and tested.

 http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39182.msg1793676#msg1793676 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39182.msg1793676#msg1793676)

Edit: apparently not tested, but still caught!!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: stcks on 02/27/2018 03:08 pm
Caught, and tested.

 http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39182.msg1793676#msg1793676 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39182.msg1793676#msg1793676)

No, that would be the small site, and it was from yesterday. Likely second stage testing or single engine testing.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: sanman on 03/01/2018 05:11 am
So if this Block 5 works as intended, then it should be ready for quick turnaround and re-use in which further launch mission? Will there be an attempt to press it back into service quickly, to test its improved quick turnaround capabilities?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/01/2018 08:21 am
So if this Block 5 works as intended, then it should be ready for quick turnaround and re-use in which further launch mission? Will there be an attempt to press it back into service quickly, to test its improved quick turnaround capabilities?

They will go when it’s ready.  They may have an estimate of how soon it can fly again.  Surely they’ll be learning on these as they start to fly.  Start slowly and then increase.

Slow may still be faster than Block 3&4
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/01/2018 03:15 pm
SpaceX open media accreditation for the Falcon 9 Bangabandhu Satellite-1 launch in April... and the launch is from KSC's 39A, which is returning to Falcon 9 duty following the Falcon Heavy launch.

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – Mar. 1, 2018. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than April.

A Falcon 9 rocket will deliver Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/01/2018 03:29 pm
Guys I think these Launch and Landing FCC permits we thought were for TESS are actually for Bangabandhu-1 from LC-39A , Do you agree ?
But the landing cooridinates are half the distance of usual GTO landing cooridnates , Could it be because this sat is very light ?
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82383&RequestTimeout=1000
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=82387&RequestTimeout=1000

I'm still leaning towards Mission 1418 being Bangabandhu-1.  I'll guess we'll find out in a month or so.  If Bangabandhu-1 launches before 3/30 without the permits changing then it would be mission 1380.

Well, maybe it is mission 1380.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/14/2018 08:52 pm
Fit checks for putting 39A back to F9 launches?

Quote
SpaceX Falcon TEL on Launch Complex 39A

https://twitter.com/nasa_nerd/status/974014866846560258
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cppetrie on 03/14/2018 10:17 pm
Fit checks for putting 39A back to F9 launches?

Quote
SpaceX Falcon TEL on Launch Complex 39A

https://twitter.com/nasa_nerd/status/974014866846560258
Certainly appears they’ve gotten the compression bridges removed and the hold-down baskets reinserted. Probably fit checks and hold-down checks to verify all is ready for a single stick. Definitely don’t want hold-downs not holding down. That’s a bad day.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/19/2018 03:47 pm
[The Daily Star, March 18] Bangabandhu Satellite: Waiting in the wings (http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/bangabandhu-satellite-bangladesh-first-commercial-waiting-the-wings-1549747)

Quote
The satellite is all set for the launch, said Shahjahan Mahmood, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which is dealing with the much-talked-about project.

French company Thales Alenia Space, designer and maker of Bangabandhu-1, has already carried out several test runs. It is now waiting to hand over the satellite to the launching station in Florida, US.

Initially, the launch was scheduled for Victory Day 2017. However, it was postponed until this March after Hurricane Irma and subsequent floods hit Florida, said officials concerned.

Talking to The Daily Star recently, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “Right now it's confirmed that it [the satellite] won't be launched in March. It could be anytime in the first half of April.

“The launching station will give the go-ahead 15 days before the launch. Nothing can be said before that confirmation,” he added.

Asked about the possible date of the launch, the BTRC chairman echoed the minister's comment. “Whenever we get the date, the French company will transport the satellite to Florida from France.”

I think "opaque" is a good term for the launch preparations on this one.  Maybe it's just the translations to English.  Hard to believe they're still repeating that crap about Irma delaying the launch  ::)  This makes it sound like the satellite hasn't shipped yet?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 03/22/2018 08:40 pm
 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.



Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/23/2018 06:44 am
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Toastmastern on 03/23/2018 09:06 am
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!

It doesn't?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 03/23/2018 10:14 am
It clearly states 3/15/2018 on top.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: envy887 on 03/23/2018 10:36 am
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!
Only if you have your site settings set to show the newest post on top. It's one odd thing about the site format.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: AnalogMan on 03/23/2018 11:08 am
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680)


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!
Only if you have your site settings set to show the newest post on top. It's one odd thing about the site format.

Need to link to the actual post, rather than the thread page.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.msg1799285#msg1799285 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.msg1799285#msg1799285)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Joffan on 03/23/2018 11:02 pm
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=288g6962bnlh2kh8fm12o01433&topic=8184.1680


Per this, the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.

Sorry, the link goes to a 2007 post?!

It works to take me to the last page of the thread (currently), but the better way to link to a particular message is to copy the link from the header text of the post, which I think in this case was intended to be https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.msg1799283#msg1799283

Good practice is to put the link behind descriptive text to avoid long-link issues:
 - Per this post (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.msg1799283#msg1799283), the launch may now be NET the end of April, which is not shocking as the s1 is still in McGregor.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 03/24/2018 05:29 pm
An important note on this, as people look to our mission threads for information on launch dates: at this time, we have no new information regarding Bangabandhu-1's launch date to report.  The "late April" date listed in the U.S. manifest thread and linked here is a guess and is based on Ben Cooper's launch photography site which only references "April TBD at the earliest".

Yes, I agree it is very likely to slip given the core's location, but there is no update NSF has to the launch target at this time.  Once we do, Chris B will cross post. :)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/24/2018 06:43 pm
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 03/24/2018 08:47 pm
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but do I see a shape that looks like a crew access arm attached?!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Comga on 03/24/2018 08:52 pm
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21 (https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21)

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but do I see a shape that looks like a crew access arm attached?!


Do you mean this, circled in red?
Isn't that way too low and on the wrong side?
There is nothing attached near the top, where the CAA would go, which is at second level from the top if you look here (http://spaceflight101.com/dragon-spx10/falcon-9-spx-10-launch-scrub/) .
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 03/24/2018 08:53 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: russianhalo117 on 03/24/2018 09:23 pm
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21 (https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21)

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but do I see a shape that looks like a crew access arm attached?!


Do you mean this, circled in red?
Isn't that way too low and on the wrong side?
There is nothing attached near the top, where the CAA would go, which is at second level from the top if you look here (http://spaceflight101.com/dragon-spx10/falcon-9-spx-10-launch-scrub/) .
that is the existing STS Pad Escape system with the remains of the RSS obscuring it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Comga on 03/25/2018 04:13 am
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21 (https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21)

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but do I see a shape that looks like a crew access arm attached?!


Do you mean this, circled in red?
Isn't that way too low and on the wrong side?
There is nothing attached near the top, where the CAA would go, which is at second level from the top if you look here (http://spaceflight101.com/dragon-spx10/falcon-9-spx-10-launch-scrub/) .
that is the existing STS Pad Escape system with the remains of the RSS obscuring it.
Thank you, russianho117, but while your response is correct, exact, and interesting, displaying a solid knowledge of old Spaceflight hardware, it doesn’t help explain where jakusb thinks he sees the CAA.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 03/25/2018 08:09 am
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ... a lazy Saturday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21 (https://twitter.com/wordsmithfl/status/977618173846581248?s=21)

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but do I see a shape that looks like a crew access arm attached?!


Do you mean this, circled in red?
Isn't that way too low and on the wrong side?
There is nothing attached near the top, where the CAA would go, which is at second level from the top if you look here (http://spaceflight101.com/dragon-spx10/falcon-9-spx-10-launch-scrub/) .
that is the existing STS Pad Escape system with the remains of the RSS obscuring it.
Thank you, russianho117, but while your response is correct, exact, and interesting, displaying a solid knowledge of old Spaceflight hardware, it doesn’t help explain where jakusb thinks he sees the CAA.

It is indeed the small extension on the FSS, you indicated with red circle, that is attached too low on FSS to be the CAA.
I am convinced russianho117 is correct. Thanks!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 03/25/2018 08:15 am
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Inoeth on 03/26/2018 04:40 am
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.

So since it's allegedly left McGreggor (and should reach Florida in the next couple of days if this is true), does that not leave enough time to actually make the April 5 NET date? Or if not on the 5th per say, they still have a week and a half before TESS...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: bjornl on 03/26/2018 09:43 am
They still need to static fire and mate payload... also, there is an Atlas planned for 12th that may interfere.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 03/26/2018 09:54 am
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.

So since it's allegedly left McGreggor (and should reach Florida in the next couple of days if this is true), does that not leave enough time to actually make the April 5 NET date? Or if not on the 5th per say, they still have a week and a half before TESS...

As it is very likely to be spotted when on route, and it has not been seen yet, I guess it still is undergoing post-test inspection and cleaning...
With NASA now heavily involved, everything takes (much) longer... As could be expected for the first human-rated booster since shuttle.. ;)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 03/26/2018 01:58 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.

So since it's allegedly left McGreggor (and should reach Florida in the next couple of days if this is true), does that not leave enough time to actually make the April 5 NET date? Or if not on the 5th per say, they still have a week and a half before TESS...

Regardless of if it's on its way or not, once it arrives at KSC, it needs:
1. Receiving inspections/checkouts
2. Legs and grid fins installation (and associated checkouts)
3. Mate to 2nd stage
4. Mate to TEL
5. Rollout to LC-39A
6. Static fire (which needs to be no later than 4-5 days before liftoff.  We're only 9 days from the 5th now)
7. Rollback
8. Payload mate (and associated checkouts)
9. Rollout

While no updated launch date is known, I hope this helps with the conversations of why - based on the core's location - a new launch date is expected.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/26/2018 02:09 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.

So since it's allegedly left McGreggor (and should reach Florida in the next couple of days if this is true), does that not leave enough time to actually make the April 5 NET date? Or if not on the 5th per say, they still have a week and a half before TESS...

Regardless of if it's on its way or not, once it arrives at KSC, it needs:
1. Receiving inspections/checkouts
2. Legs and grid fins installation (and associated checkouts)
3. Mate to 2nd stage
4. Mate to TEL
5. Rollout to LC-39A
6. Static fire (which needs to be no later than 4-5 days before liftoff.  We're only 9 days from the 5th now)
7. Rollback
8. Payload mate (and associated checkouts)
9. Rollout

While no updated launch date is known, I hope this helps with the conversations of why - based on the core's location - a new launch date is expected.

Do we even know if the satellite is in France or the U.S. right now?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: russianhalo117 on 03/26/2018 06:28 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156430015486318/

Not sure, but Keith seems to say that 1046 has left McGregor.
Keith lives very close to SpaceX complex. Practically his backyard.
Unfortunately he did not yet confirm or elaborated.

Edit: link to FB post

He just confirmed the core is off the test stand since a couple of days. The departure from McGregor is his assumption, but info not see why it would not be transported ASAP.
So keep an eye out for it.

So since it's allegedly left McGreggor (and should reach Florida in the next couple of days if this is true), does that not leave enough time to actually make the April 5 NET date? Or if not on the 5th per say, they still have a week and a half before TESS...

Regardless of if it's on its way or not, once it arrives at KSC, it needs:
1. Receiving inspections/checkouts
2. Legs and grid fins installation (and associated checkouts)
3. Mate to 2nd stage
4. Mate to TEL
5. Rollout to LC-39A
6. Static fire (which needs to be no later than 4-5 days before liftoff.  We're only 9 days from the 5th now)
7. Rollback
8. Payload mate (and associated checkouts)
9. Rollout

While no updated launch date is known, I hope this helps with the conversations of why - based on the core's location - a new launch date is expected.

Do we even know if the satellite is in France or the U.S. right now?
I haven't found any evidence that it is in the US at this time. As of December 2017 there was a government mandate by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) that the launch occur by the end of June 2018. Also at that time the satellite was reported by State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim to be 85% ready at TAS's manufacturing facility.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/science/report-dhaka-to-launch-bangabandhu-1-satellite-in-2018-2455711
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: tater on 03/26/2018 07:45 pm
If you go to the "News" section of the TAS (thalesgroup.com) site, they have news articles for spacecraft being delivered to launch sites for integration, for example, "Sentinel-3B arrives at Plesetsk Cosmodrome" and "Two more O3b satellites arrive at launch site". There is no such article for Bangabandhu-1, FWIW.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/27/2018 02:26 am
SFN Launch Schedule, updated March 26 (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/):
NET April 24
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 03/27/2018 01:11 pm
https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/978614402176966657

Quote
@Thales_Alenia_S
Follow Follow @Thales_Alenia_S
More
Passenger #Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is requested for boarding soon! Next Thursday on Antonov flight 007 to #Florida ! Live from #Nice #airport, impressive #Antonov !

We'll see on a launch date, but sats generally requires about a month of launch site process.

EDIT:  Hmm... Thales Alena has now deleted this tweet.

EDIT #2:  Tweet is back.  Only thing that changed is info about the Antonov plane.  https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/978625089242615809

Quote
@Thales_Alenia_S
Passenger #Bangabandhu Satellite-1 requested for boarding soon! Next Thursday on #Antonov to #Florida ! Live from #Nice #airport, impressive Antonov!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/27/2018 04:04 pm
Quote
Hello @AmericaSpace . The satellite will leave Thales Alenia Space's plant in Cannes on March 28th. It will take-off, from Nice Airport onboard the Antonov, on March 29th (between 6 and 8 AM local time). After a layover in Boston on March 29th, it will arrive in Cape on March 30.

https://twitter.com/thales_alenia_s/status/978663575412727808
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cscott on 03/27/2018 06:08 pm
If anyone hears the exact arrival/departure times in Boston, I might take my 5yr old down to Logan to watch it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vaporcobra on 03/27/2018 08:31 pm
SFN Launch Schedule, updated March 26 (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/):
NET April 24

A Thales media representative provided the same date, NET April 24, to AmericaSpace.
https://twitter.com/AmericaSpace/status/978659601997541376
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/30/2018 02:41 am
The satellite should land in Boston in about half an hour.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 03/30/2018 08:06 am
Quote
Heads up @BostonLogan! This Antonov An-124 is coming your way. Glad I finally caught this bird inflight (Even if it was from across the Promenade). #UR82072


https://twitter.com/theaviationbeat/status/979422693471768577?s=21
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/30/2018 01:18 pm
Tweet from Thales Alenia Space (https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/979697291354402818):
Quote
#Bangabandhu Satellite-1 has just arrived at Cape Canaveral. First ever #communications #satellite of #Bangladesh to be orbited by a @SpaceX #Falcon9 #launch #vehicle http://thls.co/j0mh30jeAuU  @AirlinesAntonov @AntonovCompany @ThalesAsia @leonardo_live @telespazio @thalesemploi
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 03/30/2018 09:26 pm
Additional confirmation. The Antonov is now making a stop at MCO on its way back from KSC.

https://www.facebook.com/flyMCO/videos/10155231012856625/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Yellowstone10 on 03/30/2018 09:30 pm
In that photo from the Thales Alenia Space tweet, what's the purpose of those balloons? Are they holding up some of the weight of the deployed antenna?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 03/30/2018 09:34 pm
In that photo from the Thales Alenia Space tweet, what's the purpose of those balloons? Are they holding up some of the weight of the deployed antenna?

To my eye the balloons appear to be holding up a very small model of an antenna (whatever that is we are seeing) in the foreground in front of the real spacecraft in the background.

EDIT: On third look, the rightmost balloon appears to be behind the spacecraft. So perhaps those are giant lifting balloons? Why?

The scale and lens make me think there may be some editing going on. If all that is full size it doesn't seem like it would fit under that acoustic ceiling.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Kansan52 on 03/30/2018 09:50 pm
You made me look closer. It appears they have a tension meter attached to the balloon string and the balloon string is attached to the antenna. Really strange.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 03/30/2018 09:57 pm
If all that is full size it doesn't seem like it would fit under that acoustic ceiling.

It looks to me like that acoustic ceiling is about 3 stories up.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 03/30/2018 10:06 pm
If all that is full size it doesn't seem like it would fit under that acoustic ceiling.

It looks to me like that acoustic ceiling is about 3 stories up.

Agreed. But it looks like the space craft is at least two stories. Hard to tell if that bridge crane would clear the top of the sat from its perch above the rolling door. The scale of the balloons is hard to see in the wide angle lens, but they must be enormous to fill that much of the view.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Robotbeat on 03/30/2018 10:43 pm
You made me look closer. It appears they have a tension meter attached to the balloon string and the balloon string is attached to the antenna. Really strange.

My immediate thought is that they’re doing a sort of deployment test (or just need to open up the antenna for some reason), and since the hinge and structure is designed for microgravity, they needed a way to easily counteract gravity. Balloons are an easy way to accomplish a given, constant off-loading force on a part that can move without a complicated rigging system.

I’m pretty sure the balloons are for gravity off-loading.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: MechE31 on 03/31/2018 01:09 pm
You made me look closer. It appears they have a tension meter attached to the balloon string and the balloon string is attached to the antenna. Really strange.

My immediate thought is that they’re doing a sort of deployment test (or just need to open up the antenna for some reason), and since the hinge and structure is designed for microgravity, they needed a way to easily counteract gravity. Balloons are an easy way to accomplish a given, constant off-loading force on a part that can move without a complicated rigging system.

I’m pretty sure the balloons are for gravity off-loading.

I'd guess you're right. I've had to do similar counterbalances on other space based deployables I've worked on. You want to simulate the deployment environments as close as possible.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 04/02/2018 04:52 pm
SpaceX to Debut Falcon 9 Block 5 in April

CAPE CANAVERAL - The upgraded Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket SpaceX needs to taxi NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) and deliver U.S. national security spacecraft into orbit will make its first flight on a commercial mission for Bangladesh, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell says. Bangabandhu Satellite-1, which was built by Thales Alenia Space for the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, will be the first Bangladeshi geostationary satellite, ...

http://m.aviationweek.com/space/spacex-debut-falcon-9-block-5-april
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mgeagon on 04/04/2018 02:43 am
SpaceX to Debut Falcon 9 Block 5 in April

CAPE CANAVERAL - The upgraded Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket SpaceX needs to taxi NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) and deliver U.S. national security spacecraft into orbit will make its first flight on a commercial mission for Bangladesh, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell says.
http://m.aviationweek.com/space/spacex-debut-falcon-9-block-5-april
The article further states, "She (Ms. Shotwell) declined to say how many Block 5 boosters SpaceX will manufacture, adding that it will be a 'sizable fleet.'"
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vaporcobra on 04/11/2018 08:48 am
Now NET May 4 per a vast number of articles (http://www.newagebd.net/article/38813/satellite-bangabandhu-1-launches-may-4) with comments from project director Md Mesbahuzzaman.
Quote
‘US company SpaceX who will put Bangabandhu-1 into orbit has sent us a letter confirming the new schedule,’ he said.

Additionally, this article states that the satellite's mass is 3.7t (presumably metric).  (https://www.thedailystar.net/business/telecom/bangabandhu-1-satellite-be-ready-commercial-uses-august-btrc-1558135)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Semmel on 04/12/2018 08:58 am
Now NET May 4 per a vast number of articles (http://www.newagebd.net/article/38813/satellite-bangabandhu-1-launches-may-4) with comments from project director Md Mesbahuzzaman.
Quote
‘US company SpaceX who will put Bangabandhu-1 into orbit has sent us a letter confirming the new schedule,’ he said.

Additionally, this article states that the satellite's mass is 3.7t (presumably metric).  (https://www.thedailystar.net/business/telecom/bangabandhu-1-satellite-be-ready-commercial-uses-august-btrc-1558135)

Do we have any indication on the launch window?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 04/12/2018 06:53 pm
Booster arrival?

https://twitter.com/MoonEx/status/984494354860576774
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: soltasto on 04/12/2018 07:04 pm
Took quite long if it really is B1046... However explains the delay
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/12/2018 09:09 pm
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGregor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 04/12/2018 09:47 pm
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGreggor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
I guess NASA has something to do with the delay. It seems they have done some very extensive post test fire checks and inspection at McGregor.
Likely all for certification purposes...
Block-5 is to be human rated, so better safe then sorry...

Side note:
Very curious how quickly 1047 will be processed at McGregor. Hopefully and likely much faster, though still longer then pre-block-5 cores...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/12/2018 10:30 pm
All Hail Block 5!

Great to hear it finally made it to the cape. 

It's a start to a flow, 46 in the barn, 47 in Texas.  By the time this flys maybe 48 could be out of Hawthorne.

Looking forward to seeing the Block 5 performance flying.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 04/12/2018 10:33 pm
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGreggor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
I guess NASA has something to do with the delay. It seems they have done some very extensive post test fire checks and inspection at McGregor.
Is the bolded speculation, or is there information to indicate this?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vaporcobra on 04/12/2018 10:56 pm
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGreggor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
I guess NASA has something to do with the delay. It seems they have done some very extensive post test fire checks and inspection at McGregor.
Is the bolded speculation, or is there information to indicate this?

The sheer amount of time 1046 spent both vertical and otherwise at McGregor is enough to suggest that it was a uniquely thorough test regime. 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 04/13/2018 01:03 am
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGreggor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
I guess NASA has something to do with the delay. It seems they have done some very extensive post test fire checks and inspection at McGregor.
Is the bolded speculation, or is there information to indicate this?

The sheer amount of time 1046 spent both vertical and otherwise at McGregor is enough to suggest that it was a uniquely thorough test regime.

Or possibly just that as it was the first run through of a new variant of the vehicle, so it took them longer than for the well shaken down models.  Each time SpaceX has introduced large-ish changes they've had an uptick in scrubs and delays as they smooth the newly found rough edges of their processes for a new vehicle which behaves a bit differently.  Slightly tweaking countdown timings and minutely altering acceptable rates and parameter margins, etc.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 04/13/2018 05:37 am
I wonder if they took it "into the shop" after the static fire at McGreggor to do any post-static fire analysis on the octoweb, etc.
I guess NASA has something to do with the delay. It seems they have done some very extensive post test fire checks and inspection at McGregor.
Is the bolded speculation, or is there information to indicate this?

Speculation, but based on talks with someone in the know, beginning of February. He made it clear that NASA is heavily involved in everything around this specific core. All procedures are now much more elaborate to adhere to NASA standards. This requires serious adjusting, including creating brand new tooling to do all the additional required inspections.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/13/2018 06:02 am
Not surprising considering the audit report from NASA’s OIG on commercial crew.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: dnavas on 04/13/2018 12:32 pm
Speculation, but based on talks with someone in the know, beginning of February. He made it clear that NASA is heavily involved in everything around this specific core. All procedures are now much more elaborate to adhere to NASA standards. This requires serious adjusting, including creating brand new tooling to do all the additional required inspections.

Do you know if this specific to crack mitigation and the blisk, or is it more wide-ranging than that?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cppetrie on 04/13/2018 02:58 pm
Speculation, but based on talks with someone in the know, beginning of February. He made it clear that NASA is heavily involved in everything around this specific core. All procedures are now much more elaborate to adhere to NASA standards. This requires serious adjusting, including creating brand new tooling to do all the additional required inspections.

Do you know if this specific to crack mitigation and the blisk, or is it more wide-ranging than that?
Crack testing could be checked on the engines separate from the booster. The whole booster being involved suggests COPV and integrated system checks.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 04/13/2018 04:20 pm
Speculation, but based on talks with someone in the know, beginning of February. He made it clear that NASA is heavily involved in everything around this specific core. All procedures are now much more elaborate to adhere to NASA standards. This requires serious adjusting, including creating brand new tooling to do all the additional required inspections.

Do you know if this specific to crack mitigation and the blisk, or is it more wide-ranging than that?

No idea. The talk was not very specific, but main takeaways were that NASA involvement increased procedures drastically, including testing and inspection. And that inspection is hard in some places on an fully integrated booster. For that they required new tooling build. Not a problem, but takes time to figure out and get them build. Some requiring several iterations, with tooling going back and forth between McGregor and Hawthorne for adjustments.

I am sure they do it in such a way that it becomes much more easy for later boosters.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/15/2018 06:03 pm
During the TESS pre-launch press conference, on now, Hans Koenigsmann was asked about Block 5 testing at McGregor. He said that testing went well and completed quicker than for previous block upgrades.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Grendal on 04/21/2018 01:14 am
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: fans0902 on 04/21/2018 01:32 am
wait for a  update thred
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: fans0902 on 04/21/2018 01:36 am
Ha, just:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.0
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 04/21/2018 07:05 am
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)

The juvenile in me can't help but think of this as 'The Star Wars launch date'. Sorry about that! :P
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Semmel on 04/21/2018 02:16 pm
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)

Thanks, thats fantastic news :) This launch is arguably more important than FH (arguably because I think it is but most might not agree). I am on a business trip that day but should be home by that time. :)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 04/21/2018 11:49 pm
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)

Thanks, thats fantastic news This launch is arguably more important than FH (arguably because I think it is but most might not agree). I am on a business trip that day but should be home by that time.

FH is more relevant to their longer term future with if nothing else the management of such a large number of engines more directly important to the BFR.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/21/2018 11:58 pm
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)

Thanks, thats fantastic news :) This launch is arguably more important than FH (arguably because I think it is but most might not agree). I am on a business trip that day but should be home by that time. :)

It's more important in that the Block 5 F9 is going to be doing something like 90% of their launches.

But it's all the same technology, so I think it's splitting hairs.

Hard to be the raw awesomeness and excitement of the FH.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lonestriker on 04/22/2018 02:02 am
A launch time has been posted for May 4th: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)

Thanks, thats fantastic news :) This launch is arguably more important than FH (arguably because I think it is but most might not agree). I am on a business trip that day but should be home by that time. :)

It's more important in that the Block 5 F9 is going to be doing something like 90% of their launches.

But it's all the same technology, so I think it's splitting hairs.

Hard to be the raw awesomeness and excitement of the FH.

Obviously both FH and F9B5 are important for their own reasons.  B5 (along with Boeing) are critical for a return for HSF from US soil.  If I had to pick which one to see in person, it would be FH (even the second flight).  B5's coolness factor is mostly hidden from view.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: marsbase on 04/22/2018 04:10 pm
Booster arrival?

https://twitter.com/MoonEx/status/984494354860576774

Whatever it was, it's gone now.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156531268366318/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: scr00chy on 04/22/2018 05:01 pm
Booster arrival?

https://twitter.com/MoonEx/status/984494354860576774

Whatever it was, it's gone now.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156531268366318/

It could be a different booster.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vaporcobra on 04/22/2018 06:42 pm
Booster arrival?

https://twitter.com/MoonEx/status/984494354860576774

Whatever it was, it's gone now.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156531268366318/

It could be a different booster.

And most likely is a different one :D 1046 was/is basically one week away from static fire for a May 4 launch, so we'll find out very soon, either way.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: marsbase on 04/26/2018 02:19 pm
NOAA wave forecast for Florida Atlantic coast through May 1.  Shows building wave action in recovery area prior to May 4 launch date.

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Atl_tab.shtml (http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Atl_tab.shtml)



Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2megs on 04/27/2018 03:25 pm
Delayed from May 4 to May 7 because of "weather". Of note that the (ground level) forecast for the launch site appears ideal, but the forecasted sea state at the recovery site much less so.

Is this the first time they've delayed a launch solely for recovery weather? Sounds like they may never voluntarily expend a Block 5.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rpapo on 04/27/2018 03:27 pm
Sounds like they may never voluntarily expend a Block 5.
Or not this one in particular.  Inspection after the first flight will tell them a lot about whether or not their design changes had the desired effect.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 04/27/2018 03:49 pm
Delayed from May 4 to May 7 because of "weather". Of note that the (ground level) forecast for the launch site appears ideal, but the forecasted sea state at the recovery site much less so.

Is this the first time they've delayed a launch solely for recovery weather? Sounds like they may never voluntarily expend a Block 5.

Where do you see a reason... and the reason specifically being sea states?

That would be incredibly suspect to me.  The slip was first announced by the Bangladeshi press on Wednesday - 10 days before the 4 May launch target.  NOAA wave models really only go out 96hrs with any good accuracy.

You don't slip to the right because of potential model predictions 10 days out when those models that far out can change drastically.

And then you slip even farther out beyond any predictions available?  I'd personally take that reason with a grain of salt.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: octavo on 04/27/2018 04:13 pm
Could "weather" not refer to space weather? Perhaps there's some debris too close to the ascent path on the 4th?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: John Santos on 04/27/2018 04:24 pm
Could "weather" not refer to space weather? Perhaps there's some debris too close to the ascent path on the 4th?
Unlikely.  According to SFN, the launch window is 2 hours 25 minutes.  Just delaying 30 seconds would put any nearby debris 150 miles (240 Km) away.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 04/27/2018 05:12 pm
Remember when that guy blamed a 3 month slip on hurricane Irma? Whatever the reason is, it's probably not the weather.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: marsbase on 04/27/2018 05:12 pm
was first announced by the Bangladeshi press on Wednesday - 10 days before the 4 May launch target.  NOAA wave models really only go out 96hrs with any good accuracy.
I've been watching those 96 hour maps for the last 2 days and they've gotten much worse.  NOAA publishes out to 96 hours but SpaceX may have access to longer range forecasts.  It doesn't have to be "accurate" to be bad enough.  And the time frame is not just 10 days out but any time in a range from when OCISLY  leaves port until it returns.  SpaceX recently lost the one-use Block 4 Hispasat booster due to high seas and they surely don't want to lose the first Block 5.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 04/27/2018 07:18 pm
was first announced by the Bangladeshi press on Wednesday - 10 days before the 4 May launch target.  NOAA wave models really only go out 96hrs with any good accuracy.
I've been watching those 96 hour maps for the last 2 days and they've gotten much worse.  NOAA publishes out to 96 hours but SpaceX may have access to longer range forecasts.  It doesn't have to be "accurate" to be bad enough.  And the time frame is not just 10 days out but any time in a range from when OCISLY  leaves port until it returns.  SpaceX recently lost the one-use Block 4 Hispasat booster due to high seas and they surely don't want to lose the first Block 5.

SpaceX chose to expend the Hispasat 1F new Block 4.  They could have waited if recovery was that important.  It wasn't.  So they didn't lose a Block 4 to high seas.  They opted to expend instead of waiting.  And... that decision was not made 10 days in advance. It was made in the final couple days before liftoff when sea states were known to be too bad for recovery.

Weather predictions 10 days out are not reliable enough in any medium to delay a multi-million mission.  And I still can't find any reference to weather being the reason; I still haven't seen anyone issue a reason.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 04/27/2018 07:51 pm
Delayed from May 4 to May 7 because of "weather". Of note that the (ground level) forecast for the launch site appears ideal, but the forecasted sea state at the recovery site much less so.

Is this the first time they've delayed a launch solely for recovery weather? Sounds like they may never voluntarily expend a Block 5.

Where do you see a reason... and the reason specifically being sea states?

That would be incredibly suspect to me.  The slip was first announced by the Bangladeshi press on Wednesday - 10 days before the 4 May launch target.  NOAA wave models really only go out 96hrs with any good accuracy.

You don't slip to the right because of potential model predictions 10 days out when those models that far out can change drastically.

And then you slip even farther out beyond any predictions available?  I'd personally take that reason with a grain of salt.

Found the (seeming) origin of this.  It's a Twitter post linking to a Reddit thread where someone asked if the delay could be because of weather.  The consensus of that thread - with input from weather forecasters - is that there's no way they have accurate enough forecasts on sea states 10 days out to slip a launch.

AKA.  It's not weather.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 04/27/2018 09:34 pm
Some of the Bangladeshi news articles said the Minister of Communications blamed it on the weather. It's just what that guy does.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Michael Baylor on 04/28/2018 12:38 am
Yeah, here's a link to an article blaming weather. I am very skeptical. This makes ZERO sense. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/04/25/launching-bangabandhu-1-deferred/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vanoord on 04/29/2018 12:56 pm
The GFS forecast for the approximate landing area shows slightly better conditions on the 4th than the 7th - which looks to be within parameters for a landing attempt.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: OnWithTheShow on 05/03/2018 06:42 pm
From update thread:
Quote
We have a Falcon emerging from the barn

Since static fire is supposedly NET Friday can we assume that this is for fit checks for new equipment related to Block 5?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/03/2018 06:45 pm
From update thread:
Quote
We have a Falcon emerging from the barn

Since static fire is supposedly NET Friday can we assume that this is for fit checks for new equipment related to Block 5?

NET Friday is tomorrow.  Bringing the rocket to the pad today doesn't really seem early.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Joffan on 05/03/2018 09:29 pm
From update thread:
Quote
We have a Falcon emerging from the barn

Since static fire is supposedly NET Friday can we assume that this is for fit checks for new equipment related to Block 5?

NET Friday is tomorrow.  Bringing the rocket to the pad today doesn't really seem early.

Also I doubt that the interfaces from the ground to the TEL have changed significantly, and the fitting up at the rocket itself has now been done.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: russianhalo117 on 05/03/2018 10:03 pm
From update thread:
Quote
We have a Falcon emerging from the barn

Since static fire is supposedly NET Friday can we assume that this is for fit checks for new equipment related to Block 5?

NET Friday is tomorrow.  Bringing the rocket to the pad today doesn't really seem early.

Also I doubt that the interfaces from the ground to the TEL have changed significantly, and the fitting up at the rocket itself has now been done.
Is it me or in the most recent pictures on the updates thread it appears that 4 of the 6 FH side booster hold downs appear to be removed.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/03/2018 10:13 pm
Is it me or in the most recent pictures on the updates thread it appears that 4 of the 6 FH side booster hold downs appear to be removed.

It looks like they remain to my eyes, but I could certainly be wrong.
(If you are referring to this image - attached below)

As some others have noticed - it looks like the legs are latched to the core in a different way now. All under the legs, nothing is sticking out to the sides of the legs.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: russianhalo117 on 05/03/2018 10:38 pm
Is it me or in the most recent pictures on the updates thread it appears that 4 of the 6 FH side booster hold downs appear to be removed.

It looks like they remain to my eyes, but I could certainly be wrong.
(If you are referring to this image - attached below)

As some others have noticed - it looks like the legs are latched to the core in a different way now. All under the legs, nothing is sticking out to the sides of the legs.
This one: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.msg1817221#msg1817221 and https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.msg1816310#msg1816310
The TSM's are missing to and I also do not see the 4 of the 8 hold downs that should be present during FH launches.

This is a better photo: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.msg1817278#msg1817278
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Scylla on 05/03/2018 11:00 pm
OCISLY has left port.
Has an ASDS ever left port before a static fire before?
Is spaceX still aiming for  May 7 launch with a 3 day turnaround?
What is the shortest turnaround between static fire and launch so far?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/03/2018 11:20 pm
OCISLY has left port.
Has an ASDS ever left port before a static fire before?
Is spaceX still aiming for  May 7 launch with a 3 day turnaround?
What is the shortest turnaround between static fire and launch so far?

Yes, the ASDS has left port before the static fire before.

CRS-8 and CRS-9 both launched 2 days after the static fire.

That is, of course, in the era of "do the static fire with the payload on."
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 05/04/2018 02:28 pm
Seeing pictures of F9 B5 vertical at the pad, with the RSS basically gone and the FSS as clean as we have ever seen it, this feels like quite a milestone.  Here's hoping for a trouble-free maiden flight of the final Falcon 9 block!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rsdavis9 on 05/04/2018 03:46 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

EDIT:
I meant core number and link below shows it well.
I was looking at the pad photos and now I know where to look I can just barely make out where it is.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/04/2018 03:50 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: IanThePineapple on 05/04/2018 04:19 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418

I think he meant the core number, which I can't see either.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/04/2018 04:23 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418

I think he meant the core number, which I can't see either.

Look closer - the '46' is there in tiny text, just under the grid fins.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: DigitalMan on 05/04/2018 04:24 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418

I think he meant the core number, which I can't see either.

Look a couple feet below the grid fin towards the right side. Look for '46' not '1046'
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: aero on 05/04/2018 04:30 pm
Ok here is a stupid question.
I can't seem to see the block number in the photos. I read one comment that said it was under the grid fins. Anybody have a pic with the block number in it?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418

I think he meant the core number, which I can't see either.

Look a couple feet below the grid fin towards the right side. Look for '46' not '1046'

I only saw it on one of the images, I don't think it is under all of the grid fins. But I did see the "46" once.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/04/2018 04:36 pm
I only saw it on one of the images, I don't think it is under all of the grid fins. But I did see the "46" once.

Look closer. Here is a crop from Craig_VG's excellent panorama here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42465.msg1817418#msg1817418

The '46' is there under both grid fins. So it is likely there under both grid fins on the other side as well.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mme on 05/04/2018 05:08 pm
I still wish they'd right write amazing the core number large and vertically in some silly sci-fi font:

Edit: I'm trying to get better at letting my typos live on and not over edit but that is beyond the pale.

P.S. This is not a joke, I really want SpaceX to do this.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: toruonu on 05/04/2018 05:24 pm
I still wish they'd right the core number large and vertically in some silly sci-fi font:

Nah, they need to be named. Like the shuttles were. They are going to be reused many times afterall.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Craig_VG on 05/04/2018 05:34 pm
I still wish they'd right the core number large and vertically in some silly sci-fi font:

Nah, they need to be named. Like the shuttles were. They are going to be reused many times afterall.

See my sig ;)

1046 is "Only Slightly Bent"
1047 is "The Ends of Invention"

(it's silly but fun)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Tomness on 05/05/2018 01:04 am
Quote
Falcon 9 Block 5 completes its hold down firing! Totally enveloped itself in exhaust and she’s still standing once it cleared! 🤩 woohoo! 👏 @Teslarati #spacex #falcon9 #Block5

May 4th be with you.  Aparently Force is with Falcon 9 Block V.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: hkultala on 05/05/2018 07:21 am
Is there some good reason why this is LC-39A and not SLC-40? Like some equipment updated for block 5 first in LC-39A, later in SLC-40?

Or is it just a "random schedule effect" ?

Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/05/2018 09:03 am
Is there some good reason why this is LC-39A and not SLC-40? Like some equipment updated for block 5 first in LC-39A, later in SLC-40?

Or is it just a "random schedule effect" ?

I've just assumed that it was part of SpaceX's efforts to demonstrate safety&reliability of the Block 5 for use on Commercial Crew missions.  NASA wants at least 7 flights of it before putting crew on top.  But while most of the discussion around that requirement has focused directly on the Falcon 9 vehicle, it really encompasses more than just the launch vehicle.  Which means that part of what they are looking for is how the new variant interacts with the other parts of the whole Crew Transportation System, i.e. the Ground Segment and Crew Dragon.  It's not that a Block 5 flight from SLC-40 or SLC-4E would be useless, just that those from LC-39A are "more better".  Besides the additional analysis that can be done, launching from there as early as possible also maximizes the schedule margin to make any changes/adjustments needed should launches of Block 5 from LC-39A encounter new issues not seen on launches of previous variants or on those undertaken from SpaceX's other pads. 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/05/2018 05:35 pm
Forgive the Captain Obvious question, but does this NOTAM mean launch has been delayed from May 7/backup date May 8 to May 8?

NOTAM for launch on May 8

A0737/18 -  EROP X9504 ATTENTION AIRLINE DISPATCHERS, SOME OPS APPEAR TO BE USING THE NOTAM BEGINNING TIME TO START FILING ROUTES AROUND THE LAUNCH OPS. LAUNCH HAZARD AREA TIMES IN THE NOTAM ARE ALT SPECIFIC AND DO NOT AFFECT ALL OPS. THIS NOTAM CONTAINS A BREAKDOWN OF THE TIMES FOR PRE-LAUNCH AND LAUNCH CLOSURES. THE FOLLOWING AIRSPACE IS IN USE FOR A MISSILE LAUNCH/SPLASH DOWN. DURING THESE TIMES KZMA ARTCC/OAC, ZJX ARTCC AND KZNY ARTCC/OAC WILL NOT APPROVE IFR FLT WI 45NM OF THE AFFECTED OCEANIC STNR AIRSPACE RESERVATIONS WEST OF 6000W, 50NM BTN 6000W AND 5500W, AND 60NM EAST OF 5500W OR WI AFFECTED WARNING AREA AIRSPACE. EFFECTIVE: 1805081803-1805082315 W497A WEST OF 80 WEST, SFC-5000FT MSL 1805081803-1805082315 CAPE ATC ASSIGNED AIRSPACE, SFC-FL180 1805081933-1805082315 R2933, 5000FT MSL-UNL 1805081933-1805082315 R2934, SFC-UNL 1805082003-1805082315 LAUNCH HAZARD AREA A WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2845N08037W TO 2837N08039W TO 2829N08035W TO 2802N07429W TO END PART 1 OF 4. 08 MAY 18:03 2018 UNTIL 08 MAY 23:15 2018. CREATED: 04 MAY 01:07 2018
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cppetrie on 05/05/2018 06:27 pm
Forgive the Captain Obvious question, but does this NOTAM mean launch has been delayed from May 7/backup date May 8 to May 8?

NOTAM for launch on May 8

A0737/18 -  EROP X9504 ATTENTION AIRLINE DISPATCHERS, SOME OPS APPEAR TO BE USING THE NOTAM BEGINNING TIME TO START FILING ROUTES AROUND THE LAUNCH OPS. LAUNCH HAZARD AREA TIMES IN THE NOTAM ARE ALT SPECIFIC AND DO NOT AFFECT ALL OPS. THIS NOTAM CONTAINS A BREAKDOWN OF THE TIMES FOR PRE-LAUNCH AND LAUNCH CLOSURES. THE FOLLOWING AIRSPACE IS IN USE FOR A MISSILE LAUNCH/SPLASH DOWN. DURING THESE TIMES KZMA ARTCC/OAC, ZJX ARTCC AND KZNY ARTCC/OAC WILL NOT APPROVE IFR FLT WI 45NM OF THE AFFECTED OCEANIC STNR AIRSPACE RESERVATIONS WEST OF 6000W, 50NM BTN 6000W AND 5500W, AND 60NM EAST OF 5500W OR WI AFFECTED WARNING AREA AIRSPACE. EFFECTIVE: 1805081803-1805082315 W497A WEST OF 80 WEST, SFC-5000FT MSL 1805081803-1805082315 CAPE ATC ASSIGNED AIRSPACE, SFC-FL180 1805081933-1805082315 R2933, 5000FT MSL-UNL 1805081933-1805082315 R2934, SFC-UNL 1805082003-1805082315 LAUNCH HAZARD AREA A WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2845N08037W TO 2837N08039W TO 2829N08035W TO 2802N07429W TO END PART 1 OF 4. 08 MAY 18:03 2018 UNTIL 08 MAY 23:15 2018. CREATED: 04 MAY 01:07 2018
Probably, but no official launch day target has been announced so it could easily slip further. The F9 hasn’t even left the pad yet to get the payload.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Rebel44 on 05/05/2018 07:07 pm
This person claiming to work on the Bangabandhu mission told me that there was a technical issue during yesterday's static fire.

Quote
I'm a team member of Bangabandhu Satellite Project from Bangladesh. Some moments ago we came to know that @SpaceX is analyzing the bug of testing result of block 5 in California. We are still in doubt our satellite will be launching either 8 or 9

https://twitter.com/shibleeimtiaz/status/992836962061959168

" @SpaceX is analyzing the bug of testing result of block 5 in California."

That to me sounds more like SpaceX discovered an issue with another Block 5 core and they are making extra sure that 1046 is OK.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/05/2018 07:43 pm
This person claiming to work on the Bangabandhu mission told me that there was a technical issue during yesterday's static fire.

Quote
I'm a team member of Bangabandhu Satellite Project from Bangladesh. Some moments ago we came to know that @SpaceX is analyzing the bug of testing result of block 5 in California. We are still in doubt our satellite will be launching either 8 or 9

https://twitter.com/shibleeimtiaz/status/992836962061959168

" @SpaceX is analyzing the bug of testing result of block 5 in California."

That to me sounds more like SpaceX discovered an issue with another Block 5 core and they are making extra sure that 1046 is OK.

I would interpret that as saying the engineers in Hawthorne are looking at the results of the static fire.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: biosehnsucht on 05/06/2018 01:57 am
Here's hoping it's just poor translation back and forth and this is just them repeating what SpaceX said about analyzing the data (and that it is normal), and they don't know when launching yet because they have to finish analysis first.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/06/2018 02:11 am
We also need to keep in mind that this is a major event for the government of Bangladesh.  They probably don't just want "launch as soon as it's ready".  They want to know it's ready and get a few days notice of a launch date so they can send their official delegations to Florida and schedule their related activities back home.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/06/2018 03:52 am
And I am wishing Shiblee good fortune in his quest for a new job (BTW, that tweet has been deleted).

Edit to add: We all need to be cognizant of the fact that the people closest to the events we on this  forum are so interested in, the people who can validate our points and conversations, are also people - with a job they probably want to keep. Yet we also want to (and are often challenged to) back up our statements here at NSF with sources. Therefore I suggest we might institute a “fact clearing house”, where sensitive (or possibly sensitive) source quotes are fed  through Chris B or proxy. Then Chris could be the validation and we don’t have to expose the source while still retaining credibility.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: worldtimedate on 05/06/2018 07:11 am
According to this newspaper of Bangladesh, the testing of theBangabandhu-1 Satellite, the first satellite of Bangladesh has been done and the testing results are being awaited

Quote
The testing of Bangladesh's first satellite, Bangabandhu-1 has been completed, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission  Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said today.

"The testing results will be known by Saturday afternoon (Bangladesh time)," he said.

Sources at SpaceX said the launching date will be fixed once all the preparations are completed after the test.

Quote
The launching of Bangabandhu-1 was deferred on Tuesday for technical reasons and unfavourable weather.

With the latest one, the launching schedule of the country's lone satellite has been deferred eight times.

The Bangabandhu Satellite with a capacity of 1,600 megahertz will have 40 transponders and the physical equipment of the space capsule that measures the capacity.

Quote
Later, BTRC signed a deal involving Tk 2,000 crore with Thales Alenia Space to construct the first-ever satellite project.

Bangladesh will be the 57th country when Bangabandhu-1 to be launched into the orbital slot on 119.1degree east longitude which (slot) was bought from Russian satellite company 'Intersputnik' for US$ 28 million in January 2015.

source :
Testing of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 done: BTRC chief (https://www.thedailystar.net/country/testing-bangabandhu-satellite-1-done-btrc-chairman-1571827)

--- [ --- ]
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: worldtimedate on 05/06/2018 07:28 am
According to spaceflightnow, the tentative launch window: Approx. 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT) on May 8

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: crandles57 on 05/06/2018 11:19 am
According to spaceflightnow, the tentative launch window: Approx. 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT) on May 8

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

??
Now just saying "Early May" with last change May 4.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: penguin44 on 05/08/2018 05:27 am
According to spaceflightnow, the tentative launch window: Approx. 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT) on May 8

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

??
Now just saying "Early May" with last change May 4.

May 10th as per spacex tweet
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Swoopert on 05/08/2018 05:40 am
Therefore I suggest we might institute a “fact clearing house”, where sensitive (or possibly sensitive) source quotes are fed  through Chris B or proxy. Then Chris could be the validation and we don’t have to expose the source while still retaining credibility.

Thoughts?

*cough* L2 *cough*
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: worldtimedate on 05/08/2018 06:21 am
The Bangladeshi Newspaper Dailystar confirms that the launch date is set on May 10

source :
Bangabandhu-1 now set to be launched May 10 (https://www.thedailystar.net/country/bangabandhu-1-satellite-bangladesh-now-set-be-launched-may-10-1572730)

Quote
The new date for launching Bangabandhu-1, the first ever satellite of the country, has been set on May 10, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) confirmed today.

The country's first geostationary communications satellite will be launched by Falcon 9 rocket of US launching firm Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) from Cape Canaveral launching pad of Florida.

Quote
The launch will take place at 4:00pm (Florida local time), Md Zakir Hossain Khan, senior assistant director of BTRC told The Daily Star. On May 4 (Florida local time), a "fire test" of Falcon 9 rocket was successfully conducted. After analysing the data collected from the test, the final date has been fixed, the BTRC official said.

The 3.7-tonne satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space, a France satellite company.

--- [ --- ]
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JamesH65 on 05/08/2018 09:07 am
Therefore I suggest we might institute a “fact clearing house”, where sensitive (or possibly sensitive) source quotes are fed  through Chris B or proxy. Then Chris could be the validation and we don’t have to expose the source while still retaining credibility.

Thoughts?

*cough* L2 *cough*

L2 is still public, just behind a paywall. Sensitive information should not be on there either if it not public.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Boost on 05/09/2018 01:25 pm
When can we expect the press kit to be released ?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: tvg98 on 05/09/2018 01:28 pm
When can we expect the press kit to be released ?

In a few hours as they release it at around T-24hr.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Wolfram66 on 05/09/2018 03:26 pm
When can we expect the press kit to be released ?

In a few hours as they release it at around T-24hr.

when can we expect the confirmation of payload attachment, Roll-out and lift to vertical?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: The Roadie on 05/09/2018 03:48 pm
When can we expect the press kit to be released ?

In a few hours as they release it at around T-24hr.

when can we expect the confirmation of payload attachment, Roll-out and lift to vertical?
Tomorrow morning, when the photographers arrive after SpaceX sneaks it out overnight.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 05/09/2018 08:54 pm
SpaceNews: How Bangladesh became SpaceX's first Block 5 Falcon 9 customer: http://spacenews.com/how-bangladesh-became-spacexs-first-block-5-falcon-9-customer/.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Helodriver on 05/09/2018 09:03 pm
Press kit and patch are now up.


B5 has such incredible performance, they had to park the ASDS off Japan as marked by the clover.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: andrewsdanj on 05/09/2018 09:28 pm
I think the webcast's a bit confuzzled. It's showing 'Live in 10 hours: 10 May 9:12' (British Summer Time). What's 12 hours between friends?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/09/2018 09:47 pm
Tweet from Peter Guggenbach (https://twitter.com/PeterGuggenbach/status/994195743102693377):
Quote
Excited about an upcoming launch. The central tube (the main structure) for the #Bangabandhu Satellite-1 has been produced and delivered by RUAG in #Linköping. The #satellite is due for launch tomorrow
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Boost on 05/09/2018 09:51 pm
Why is the RP-1 loaded later than usual on block 5 ? -35min vs -1h10min for TESS or CRS-14 for instance.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/09/2018 10:11 pm
Why is the RP-1 loaded later than usual on block 5 ? -35min vs -1h10min for TESS or CRS-14 for instance.

Because reverting back to the old "load-and-go" procedure gives the F9 better performance.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JWC on 05/09/2018 10:30 pm
It has been mentioned that the 2nd stage is also block 5.  What upgrades are on the 2nd stage that makes it different from block 4?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rockets4life97 on 05/09/2018 10:33 pm
It has been mentioned that the 2nd stage is also block 5.  What upgrades are on the 2nd stage that makes it different from block 4?

COPVs for starters.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Thor7 on 05/09/2018 11:09 pm
Prees kit for Bangabandhu-1:

http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/bangabandhupresskit5918.pdf
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/09/2018 11:25 pm
It has been mentioned that the 2nd stage is also block 5.  What upgrades are on the 2nd stage that makes it different from block 4?

It should have a new Block 5 engine (changes to the turbopump).
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: WindyCity on 05/10/2018 12:02 am
I think the webcast's a bit confuzzled. It's showing 'Live in 10 hours: 10 May 9:12' (British Summer Time). What's 12 hours between friends?

I wrote Chris B. about it. He says he has no idea why the time's, I love your word, confuzzled. Confused and fuzzy.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ultrafamicom on 05/10/2018 12:50 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: envy887 on 05/10/2018 01:27 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.

No, the MVac doesn't have a thrust increase with Block 5 AFAIK.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: russianhalo117 on 05/10/2018 03:43 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.

No, the MVac doesn't have a thrust increase with Block 5 AFAIK.
SpaceX Website currently shows Thrust in Vacuum (http://www.spacex.com/falcon9):
First stage operating under normal flight at 8,227kN
Second stage operating under normal flight at 934kN
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ultrafamicom on 05/10/2018 04:45 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.

No, the MVac doesn't have a thrust increase with Block 5 AFAIK.
The total S2 burn time of Bungabandgu-1 is 18sec (Or 4.5%)shorter than that of Koreasat-5A, which should have a similar throttle profile.

Can this indicate a thrust upgrade?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: niwax on 05/10/2018 08:20 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.

No, the MVac doesn't have a thrust increase with Block 5 AFAIK.
The total S2 burn time of Bungabandgu-1 is 18sec (Or 4.5%)shorter than that of Koreasat-5A, which should have a similar throttle profile.

Can this indicate a thrust upgrade?

Or a larger kick from the first stage, which has been upgraded
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Tomness on 05/10/2018 01:30 pm

(Snip)

A Falcon 9 rocket will deliver Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
Does anybody know what the GTO Insertion will be?  Regular GTO-1800, GTO-1500, Super synchronous GTO, I would imagine with this sat weighing 3500 kg Block V could do GTO-1500 and still do droneship landing with out dicey landing.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rpapo on 05/10/2018 02:03 pm
Are my eyes deceiving me, or does the Falcon look a shade grayer compared to what we've seen in the past?  It looks darker in hue than the TEL, at least to me.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Cheapchips on 05/10/2018 02:34 pm

I thought they were planning to use a new more robust paintjob on B5, so maybe it's a tad darker due to that (if not just an illusion)?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: LouScheffer on 05/10/2018 03:09 pm
Does anybody know what the GTO Insertion will be?  Regular GTO-1800, GTO-1500, Super synchronous GTO, I would imagine with this sat weighing 3500 kg Block V could do GTO-1500 and still do droneship landing with out dicey landing.
KoreaSat was about the same mass, and used a 1:07 second stage burn, from parking orbit, to get to a super-synchronous orbit with about 1617 m/s to go.

This launch has the second stage burn listed at 0:59, or 8 seconds shorter.  At the end of the burn, it's accelerating at about 5G, so that would be 400 m/s less, (which translates to something like 260 m/s difference in the to-go figure). 

So I think there are two possibilities - second stage performance is largely unchanged, and this is GTO-1800, or second stage performance is higher, and the target is super-synchronous.

My vote would be unchanged performance and GTO-1800.  GTO injection is not fighting gravity losses, so higher thrust is not very helpful.  However, reliability is super critical, with only one engine.  Therefore I'd suspect they used the Block 5 improvements to increase the margin on the second stage, not the performance.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/10/2018 04:13 pm
Are my eyes deceiving me, or does the Falcon look a shade grayer compared to what we've seen in the past?  It looks darker in hue than the TEL, at least to me.

Looks more like a camera exposure differences.

Anyway - as others have noted, it is amusing how the F9 now looks like the first fit-test F9 (not flight ready) that was erected on pad 40 nine years ago. :)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Norm38 on 05/10/2018 04:20 pm
Man, that original version sure does look short and stubby now doesn't it?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: intelati on 05/10/2018 04:27 pm
Man, that original version sure does look short and stubby now doesn't it?

Yeah, there's something majestic about the highly slim and stretched F9.

Every time I see a Atlas or Delta launch, they seem so short and fat.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/10/2018 04:29 pm
Here is a comparison: (not exact but eye-balled)
  :)

B5 image from update thread, source: https://twitter.com/Craig_VG/status/994555906280116225
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: input~2 on 05/10/2018 04:40 pm
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
102007Z TO 102314Z MAY, ALTERNATE
112009Z TO 112313Z MAY IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-39N 080-39W, 28-40N 080-37W,
28-40N 080-00W, 28-37N 079-45W,
28-35N 079-45W, 28-33N 079-48W,
28-32N 080-08W, 28-33N 080-37W.
B. 28-34N 076-00W, 28-36N 072-14W,
28-29N 071-50W, 27-55N 071-50W,
27-45N 072-35W, 28-20N 076-00W..
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120013Z MAY 18.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE 072001Z MAY 18.

Date: 072145Z MAY 18
Cancel: 12001300 May 18
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JimO on 05/10/2018 07:27 pm
So we're looking at stage-2 second burn well into Earth shadow, so little chance of illuminated plume visibility from surface [or on-orbit]  observers?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mtakala24 on 05/10/2018 07:53 pm
Removed posts from the Update thread about a well-known replay-as-live Youtube channel; now it showed a previous Falcon 9 launch feed as live. Please take note to verify the credibility of the stream links!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: IanThePineapple on 05/10/2018 08:02 pm
I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/10/2018 08:17 pm
I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.

Yep, looks like that beam is new.  From reference photos I have, it must have been installed between 2018-04-07 and 2018-05-04.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: jpo234 on 05/10/2018 08:53 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: pospa on 05/10/2018 08:56 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: schaban on 05/10/2018 09:05 pm
FH as well.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: RedLineTrain on 05/10/2018 09:07 pm
Would be very interested in the audio of the Musk press conference, if anybody recorded it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: RoboGoofers on 05/10/2018 09:08 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ennisj on 05/10/2018 09:09 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.
And some customers may insist on a new booster.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/10/2018 09:13 pm
I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.

Yep, looks like that beam is new.  From reference photos I have, it must have been installed between 2018-04-07 and 2018-05-04.

Also, that platform sticking out to the side is new.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Zed_Noir on 05/10/2018 09:18 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

The 30 to 50 B5 cores is a fall back plan to deploy the Starlink Constellation in case the BFR got delay.

Storing them is not a big issue. SX got all that unused crawlway to put up some core storage sheds.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: niwax on 05/10/2018 09:21 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

He said one Booster may have 10 launches by next year. So two or three boosters per pad makes 6 - 10 in active fleet and a few more in FH integration, spread out over a few years.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: geza on 05/10/2018 09:23 pm
Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?
Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.
And some customers may insist on a new booster.
In principle, 3 copies of F9 would be enough for the 300 launches. However, only time will tell, whether a stage lasts for 100 launches in reality. They cannot just produce 3 stages and shut down the production line. Moreover, they will start the no-inspection fast turnaround operation only next year. Initially, a launched stage will not be available to the next launch. Therefore they will have to use a new stage often even if customers would be happy with the flight-proved ones.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: inventodoc on 05/10/2018 09:34 pm
What's this about a 'thermal protection felt' as opposed to 'cork' as mentioned in webcast? Anyone with insights on this?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rst on 05/10/2018 09:35 pm
What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

We're drifting here -- but the point is minimizing total operations and touch time required to recycle the booster; however much of that you're doing, you have to pay for it.

(KSC range safety is trying to ramp up to a capacity of 48 launches per year -- an average rate of less than one a week -- and they aren't there yet.  And their private site, at Boca Chica, is currently licensed for only another 12 launches per year.  So they can't be planning to launch Block 5 daily regardless; it's just that the timing constraints are no longer coming from the rocket itself.)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/03/air-force-reveals-48-launches-year-cape/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Joffan on 05/10/2018 09:35 pm
Looks like a dismal old evening out at the landing barge.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Comga on 05/10/2018 09:45 pm
Very interesting - constant thrust of 190klb all the way up rather than constant chamber pressure.

Commentator says first stage Merlins will be throttled to maintain 190,000 lbs of thrust as the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
This seems like half an explanation.  Why would that help? 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: intelati on 05/10/2018 09:47 pm
Countdown stopped
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: hektor on 05/10/2018 09:49 pm
About just after entering startup mode.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Wolfram66 on 05/10/2018 09:49 pm
UGH!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/10/2018 09:50 pm
Given that Falcon 9 Block 5 is an entirely new model, I knew that the countdown would be stopped this late in the count.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Martin.cz on 05/10/2018 09:50 pm
Very interesting - constant thrust of 190klb all the way up rather than constant chamber pressure.

Commentator says first stage Merlins will be throttled to maintain 190,000 lbs of thrust as the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
This seems like half an explanation.  Why would that help? 
My guess - to reduce the g-loads on the vehicle. The acceleration will be already increasing due to all the fuel that has been burnt no longer weighting the rocket down and engines increasing thrust will only add to that. I guess on some missions it might not be a problem but on some (crewed missions, more sensitive satellites) it could be useful.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: hektor on 05/10/2018 09:51 pm
Windows closes in about 30min so i fear that is it for today.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ClayJar on 05/10/2018 09:55 pm
So, the SpaceX down the side of the first stage is not iced over.  Is there a coating or something they could use to keep it from frosting over?  (I don't know what a superhydrophobic coating would do on the outside of a subcooled LOX tank.)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: joek on 05/10/2018 09:56 pm
Note the SpaceX down the side of S1 is not obscured by frost.
edit: beat me to it...

So, the SpaceX down the side of the first stage is not iced over.  Is there a coating or something they could use to keep it from frosting over?  (I don't know what a superhydrophobic coating would do on the outside of a subcooled LOX tank.)

Might be a bit more than that.  Some chatter in earlier threads as to whether there is additional thermal control (beyond superficial).  My guess is there is something more than skin deep contributing.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: flyright on 05/10/2018 09:57 pm
It was interesting to see the Rainbirds come on for a little bit after the abort. Possibly part of the abort process?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lrk on 05/10/2018 10:02 pm
Big vent - depressurizing the tanks maybe? 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: joek on 05/10/2018 10:04 pm
Note the SpaceX down the side of S1 is not obscured by frost.
edit: beat me to it...

So, the SpaceX down the side of the first stage is not iced over.  Is there a coating or something they could use to keep it from frosting over?  (I don't know what a superhydrophobic coating would do on the outside of a subcooled LOX tank.)

Might be a bit more than that.  Some chatter in earlier threads as to whether there is additional thermal control (beyond superficial).  My guess is there is something more than skin deep contributing.

Note that now with more extensive venting (down from above) we are now seeing more frosting-obscuring.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: BarryKirk on 05/10/2018 10:05 pm
I have to wonder if they have already determined the reason, but they have until the very end of the window to resume so, they cross the i's and dot the t's.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Bargemanos on 05/10/2018 10:05 pm
Did he say "review reason why telemerty loss?"
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 05/10/2018 10:06 pm
Note that now with more extensive venting (down from above) we are now seeing more frosting-obscuring.
Maybe the less frosting was due to the faster LOX load, and given enough time it frosts over just as much as before?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ClayJar on 05/10/2018 10:09 pm
Might be a bit more than that.  Some chatter in earlier threads as to whether there is additional thermal control (beyond superficial).  My guess is there is something more than skin deep contributing.

A frost-resistant coating seems like it would likely be easy enough, and I don' t imagine active frost prevention would be desirable (since it would increase propellant heating).  Whatever it is, it's only frost-resistant, as this long hold has given it sufficient time to get pretty icy.  Worked well through the original cryogen-loading-to-launch span, at least.

Maybe the less frosting was due to the faster LOX load, and given enough time it frosts over just as much as before?

The "SpaceX" was on a distinctly different-looking patch, even early in LOX loading.  It appeared that the stage overall was icing as usual, but that a rectangle was treated somehow.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/10/2018 10:10 pm
It was interesting to see the Rainbirds come on for a little bit after the abort. Possibly part of the abort process?

No. The pad water deluge system begins to activate at T-1 minute as part of prelaunch procedure. Those rainbirds come on fully at around T-10 seconds.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/10/2018 10:11 pm
Might be a bit more than that.  Some chatter in earlier threads as to whether there is additional thermal control (beyond superficial).  My guess is there is something more than skin deep contributing.

A frost-resistant coating seems like it would likely be easy enough, and I don' t imagine active frost prevention would be desirable (since it would increase propellant heating).  Whatever it is, it's only frost-resistant, as this long hold has given it sufficient time to get pretty icy.  Worked well through the original cryogen-loading-to-launch span, at least.

Maybe the less frosting was due to the faster LOX load, and given enough time it frosts over just as much as before?

The "SpaceX" was on a distinctly different-looking patch, even early in LOX loading.  It appeared that the stage overall was icing as usual, but that a rectangle was treated somehow.
I didn't notice this maybe because my screen and resolution is too small. Could you grab a screen of what you're referring to and share it here?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: CJ on 05/10/2018 10:14 pm
If I remember right, when SpaceX went to subcooled LOX, temperature issues meant they were basically committed to a window of a few seconds (basically, no chance for a hold, so a hold would be a scrubd). But that does not appear to be the case today - they appear to at least have the capability to hold.

And I too am intrigued by the lack of frost. There should be plenty over the LOX tank. My guess is Clayjar's guess is right, some sort of coating. 

And dang, a scrub!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Glorin on 05/10/2018 10:17 pm
If I remember right, when SpaceX went to subcooled LOX, temperature issues meant they were basically committed to a window of a few seconds (basically, no chance for a hold, so a hold would be a scrubd). But that does not appear to be the case today - they appear to at least have the capability to hold.

And I too am intrigued by the lack of frost. There should be plenty over the LOX tank. My guess is Clayjar's guess is right, some sort of coating. 

And dang, a scrub!

One thing to keep in mind is that may have been true at the time (although I think it was speculation), but 39A has at least the capacity to fill a FH and as such should be able to keep subcooled props topped off considerably longer.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/10/2018 10:30 pm
If I remember right, when SpaceX went to subcooled LOX, temperature issues meant they were basically committed to a window of a few seconds (basically, no chance for a hold, so a hold would be a scrubd). But that does not appear to be the case today - they appear to at least have the capability to hold.

And I too am intrigued by the lack of frost. There should be plenty over the LOX tank. My guess is Clayjar's guess is right, some sort of coating. 

And dang, a scrub!

One thing to keep in mind is that may have been true at the time (although I think it was speculation), but 39A has at least the capacity to fill a FH and as such should be able to keep subcooled props topped off considerably longer.

I think it's not so much keeping the tanks FULL of LOX, but it must also be COLD LOX. The LOX that was loaded 45 minutes ago has warmed (and expanded) so it is no longer densified, even if the tank is completely full of liquid LOX.
Edit: moved my reply out of the quote. I'm a newb.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Kaputnik on 05/10/2018 10:31 pm
Late abort brings back memories of early F9 launches! When was the last one?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/10/2018 10:34 pm
Late abort brings back memories of early F9 launches! When was the last one?

NROL-76 was aborted at T-52 seconds due to a first stage LOX sensor issue.

Intelsat 35e was aborted at T-9 seconds twice in a row due to GNC and ground computer problems.

SpaceX CRS-10 was aborted at T-13 seconds due to a Stage 2 TVC actuator issue.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: LouScheffer on 05/10/2018 10:39 pm
Very interesting - constant thrust of 190klb all the way up rather than constant chamber pressure.

Commentator says first stage Merlins will be throttled to maintain 190,000 lbs of thrust as the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
This seems like half an explanation.  Why would that help? 
My guess - to reduce the g-loads on the vehicle. The acceleration will be already increasing due to all the fuel that has been burnt no longer weighting the rocket down and engines increasing thrust will only add to that. I guess on some missions it might not be a problem but on some (crewed missions, more sensitive satellites) it could be useful.
I wonder if this is some side effect of human rating?  To meet NASA specs, they need 40% margin on all parts at all times.   Perhaps the rocket has this margin at sea level, but margins would drop to less than 40% if they allowed the natural thrust growth with higher altitude.  So they use constant thrust to stay at 40% margin.

The reason I suggest this is that constant thrust should have more gravity loss, and hence would normally be avoided.

This also explains why the first stage burn times are just a little shorter, rather than a lot shorter as you would expect, given higher thrust and the same tanks.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/10/2018 10:47 pm
If I remember right, when SpaceX went to subcooled LOX, temperature issues meant they were basically committed to a window of a few seconds (basically, no chance for a hold, so a hold would be a scrubd). But that does not appear to be the case today - they appear to at least have the capability to hold.

And I too am intrigued by the lack of frost. There should be plenty over the LOX tank. My guess is Clayjar's guess is right, some sort of coating. 

And dang, a scrub!

SES-9 was the first with subcooled LOX and they had multiple holds after loading including a potential second attempt after an abort post engine ignition.  I do believe that might also have been the case in the early launches with subcooling.  They might have gone later to "once we load LOX, we go or we scrub", but that wasn't the initial procedure.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/10/2018 10:48 pm
SES-9 was the first with subcooled LOX and they had multiple holds after loading including a potential second attempt after an abort post engine ignition.  I do believe that might also have been the case in the early launches with subcooling.  They might have gone later to "once we load LOX, we go or we scrub", but that wasn't the initial procedure.

Actually, Orbcomm-OG2 F2 (the first ever landing of a Falcon 9 booster) was the first with subcooled LOX.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/10/2018 11:04 pm
So, the SpaceX down the side of the first stage is not iced over.  Is there a coating or something they could use to keep it from frosting over?  (I don't know what a superhydrophobic coating would do on the outside of a subcooled LOX tank.)

No, it's much simpler - the SpaceX logo is now entirely on the RP-1 tank. So the LOX tank can, and still does, frost over and not obscure the logo.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ClayJar on 05/10/2018 11:30 pm
I didn't notice this maybe because my screen and resolution is too small. Could you grab a screen of what you're referring to and share it here?

I've attached an unaltered screenshot from a couple minutes before launch.  The area of the SpaceX logo is clearly different than the surrounding area.  If you use Photoshop to alter the exposure curve, you can easily bring up the contrast there, but I figured it would be better to leave it as is so that I wasn't piling compression on enhancement on compression, ad nauseum.

So, the SpaceX down the side of the first stage is not iced over.  Is there a coating or something they could use to keep it from frosting over?  (I don't know what a superhydrophobic coating would do on the outside of a subcooled LOX tank.)

No, it's much simpler - the SpaceX logo is now entirely on the RP-1 tank. So the LOX tank can, and still does, frost over and not obscure the logo.

The LOX is on top, is it not?  They moved the SpaceX, but they moved it from the part of the first stage that is RP-1 up to the middle, so naturally, it should frost over more.  (Post-landing visibility being one assumption for why it was moved -- the LOX section being less sooty once you've landed once.)  Also, you can clearly see that the area around the SpaceX is different than the surrounding area at the same level.

Of course, since I don't have up-close detail of the Falcon 9 Block 5 as it's icing over, I can't eliminate the null hypothesis, i.e. that the SpaceX logo may ice over just as much as its surroundings but just look a bit different due to how they put the SpaceX logo on there or something they did to it pre-launch (e.g. after static fire cleaning, or whatever).
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rickl on 05/11/2018 12:03 am

NROL-76 was aborted at T-52 seconds due to a first stage LOX sensor issue.

Intelsat 35e was aborted at T-9 seconds twice in a row due to GNC and ground computer problems.

SpaceX CRS-10 was aborted at T-13 seconds due to a Stage 2 TVC actuator issue.


How about aborts after ignition?  There was F9 Flight 1* and COTS-2, and I seem to recall at least one other time.

(*I hadn't paid attention to SpaceX before that.  They had an ignition abort and turned around and launched successfully the same day.  I had never heard of that ever happening before.  That was when I started taking SpaceX seriously.

I watched the Gemini 6 ignition abort live, and I know it happened a few times with the Shuttle, but in none of those cases was there another launch attempt the same day.

I realize I'm veering off-topic, but has that ever happened with any other rocket?  Feel free to point me to the proper thread.)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: envy887 on 05/11/2018 12:36 am
Just to confirm, both stages are indeed block 5.

So will this include a thrust increase of M1D Vac to some 1000kN?

The thrust of M1DVac currently available on SpaceX's website seems not matching the sea-level version. In v1.1 era it is 11% more powerful (720kN vs. 800kN), but now only a 2% increase.

No, the MVac doesn't have a thrust increase with Block 5 AFAIK.

Ok, I take that back. Musk said today that the MVac increased to 220 klbf (979 kN).

https://youtu.be/KCNyCVuN4aM
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: IanThePineapple on 05/11/2018 12:38 am

NROL-76 was aborted at T-52 seconds due to a first stage LOX sensor issue.

Intelsat 35e was aborted at T-9 seconds twice in a row due to GNC and ground computer problems.

SpaceX CRS-10 was aborted at T-13 seconds due to a Stage 2 TVC actuator issue.


How about aborts after ignition?  There was F9 Flight 1* and COTS-2, and I seem to recall at least one other time.

(*I hadn't paid attention to SpaceX before that.  They had an ignition abort and turned around and launched successfully the same day.  I had never heard of that ever happening before.  That was when I started taking SpaceX seriously.

I watched the Gemini 6 ignition abort live, and I know it happened a few times with the Shuttle, but in none of those cases was there another launch attempt the same day.

I realize I'm veering off-topic, but has that ever happened with any other rocket?  Feel free to point me to the proper thread.)

SES-9 aborted after ignition at least once
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 12:56 am
SES-8 aborted after engine start on Thanksgiving 2013.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Norm38 on 05/11/2018 01:19 am
On the conference call, I heard Musk say that thrust is reduced because of increasing vibration.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Comga on 05/11/2018 04:10 am
SES-8 aborted after engine start on Thanksgiving 2013.

All of this is available in cartman's terrific SpaceX Launch Log (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40544.msg1550541#msg1550541)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mn on 05/11/2018 04:29 am


How about aborts after ignition?  There was F9 Flight 1* and COTS-2, and I seem to recall at least one other time.
...
I watched the Gemini 6 ignition abort live, and I know it happened a few times with the Shuttle, but in none of those cases was there another launch attempt the same day.

I realize I'm veering off-topic, but has that ever happened with any other rocket?  Feel free to point me to the proper thread.)

If I remember correctly the SSMEs required inspection/maintenance if there was an abort after ignition. (Or maybe even if the clock stopped within the last 30 seconds).
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Wolfram66 on 05/11/2018 04:30 am
Why did they wait so late in the window to attempt the launch?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 04:43 am
Why did they wait so late in the window to attempt the launch?

My complete and utter guess is technical gremlins that SpaceX never told us publicly, or they might have monitored upper-level winds since they could've been RED at the start of the window.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lonestriker on 05/11/2018 05:16 am
Why did they wait so late in the window to attempt the launch?

My complete and utter guess is technical gremlins that SpaceX never told us publicly, or they might have monitored upper-level winds since they could've been RED at the start of the window.

On the webcast, they said they were looking at the telemetry logs to determine the cause of the abort.  ULW would not be telemetry.  I seem to recall two consecutive aborts due to some GSE sensor being out of whack; so maybe it's just the wind again, swaying the rocket just past the threshold to trigger an abort.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: OnWithTheShow on 05/11/2018 12:47 pm
Why did they wait so late in the window to attempt the launch?

My complete and utter guess is technical gremlins that SpaceX never told us publicly, or they might have monitored upper-level winds since they could've been RED at the start of the window.

On the webcast, they said they were looking at the telemetry logs to determine the cause of the abort.  ULW would not be telemetry.  I seem to recall two consecutive aborts due to some GSE sensor being out of whack; so maybe it's just the wind again, swaying the rocket just past the threshold to trigger an abort.

He wasn't referring to the abort. He was referring to the decisions during the course of the day to push later into the window.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jim on 05/11/2018 01:11 pm

I wonder if this is some side effect of human rating?  To meet NASA specs, they need 40% margin on all parts at all times.   

That is not a requirement.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisC on 05/11/2018 01:19 pm
Elon’s press call earlier:

Transcript of the call:
https://gist.github.com/theinternetftw/5ba82bd5f4099934fa0556b9d09c123e

I just wanted to call out theinternetftw with extra thanks for providing this transcript.  I listened to the telecon audio, AND then read the transcript, and really got a lot of detail out of the latter that I'd missed the first time through.  And reading it, even with the finer detail, goes a little faster than listening to it.  I'm sure you're using some speech-to-text software there but there's still a lot of human effort involved and I wanted to thank you for it, more than just clicking the little "like" button.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Kabloona on 05/11/2018 05:08 pm

I wonder if this is some side effect of human rating?  To meet NASA specs, they need 40% margin on all parts at all times.   

That is not a requirement.

The NASA requirement for human rating is that *structure* has to be designed with a factor of safety of 1.4 instead of the usual 1.25. I expect that's what Elon was referring to.

So all *structural* analysis must show that the main structural components of the vehicle (tanks, interstage, adapters, etc) have a 40% margin under worst-case conditions (eg at max Q).

Then there are other requirements such as two-fault tolerance to critical failure modes that drive all kinds of design decisions for non-structural components that aren't covered by the FS=1.4 requirement.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachF on 05/11/2018 07:39 pm
Sky seems a lot clearer today  8)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 07:44 pm
Sky seems a lot clearer today  8)

I agree. Yesterday's weather looked like it was more RED than GREEN regarding the commit criteria.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/11/2018 07:51 pm
Waiting is hard work...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/11/2018 07:58 pm
Webcast live!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 07:59 pm
During the final minutes of the countdown, I'm going to keep a close eye on the second stage just in case an AMOS 6-type failure unexpectedly occurs.

I know they fixed the problems that caused that failure, but I'm still a bit worried.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Oersted on 05/11/2018 08:13 pm
Didn't feel very confident about the Falcon Heavy launch, but for this one... I really feel supremely confident.

Go Block 5!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Grandpa to Two on 05/11/2018 08:13 pm
50mph winds at 5miles
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Oersted on 05/11/2018 08:14 pm
Oh sweet, drone view of the launch!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Grandpa to Two on 05/11/2018 08:15 pm
1.7 million pounds of thrust for the first time!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/11/2018 08:18 pm
Slick as glass! Beautiful First Stage flight... :)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Grandpa to Two on 05/11/2018 08:18 pm
Cut off @8,100km/h think thats the highest first stge flight ?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/11/2018 08:20 pm
Love the second feed video showing the paths of both stages!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: yokem55 on 05/11/2018 08:22 pm
The first stage rocketcam is a bit wobbly. It was shaking around with every bump of the cold gas thrusters.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: 2008rlctx on 05/11/2018 08:23 pm
Falcon has landed!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Prettz on 05/11/2018 08:23 pm
No fire on the legs. They didn't lie.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 05/11/2018 08:24 pm
1st stage looks VERY clean compared to Block 3/4 stages to my eye.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/11/2018 08:24 pm
The way the first stage EDL camera was shaking every time the RCS fired, I found myself wondering if it was loose in its mounting.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Oersted on 05/11/2018 08:25 pm
Beautiful camera work around fairing deploy. First seeing the fairings detach and then quickly looking behind to see them swoosh by and disappear into the distance.

Best shot was of the first stage standing proud on "Of Course I still Love You", though....  :-) 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: yokem55 on 05/11/2018 08:26 pm
Landed. :)
The stage looks really clean, relative to previous landings. Looks like it just went on a short stroll...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Bargemanos on 05/11/2018 08:27 pm
Love'd the view of the pusher system on stage sep  ;D
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/11/2018 08:27 pm
I was impressed by how very little ice fell off a liftoff... Looks either improved insulation or a more hydrophobic paint material - or both. (But perhaps this was also favorable weather with less humidity?)

And a super sweet drone view of the liftoff!  8)  8)  8)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 05/11/2018 08:28 pm
I wonder if the first stage camera succumbed to all the condensation that seemed to be building up on it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: leetdan on 05/11/2018 08:29 pm
This is the first time Ti grid fins have been recovered from a GTO launch, correct?  Not even a hint of ablation during or after the entry burn that I could see.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: abaddon on 05/11/2018 08:30 pm
I was impressed by how very little ice fell off a liftoff... Looks either improved insulation or a more hydrophobic paint material - or both. (But perhaps this was also favorable weather with less humidity?)
Elon stated this in the Q&A yesterday.  I think.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/11/2018 08:30 pm
I wonder if the first stage camera succumbed to all the condensation that seemed to be building up on it.

The picture was rocking noticeably every time the RCS fired. It isn't impossible that the camera was loose inside its housing and, with the much greater vibrations of the entry burn, took damage. Maybe the data cabling shook loose or something.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/11/2018 08:31 pm
I was impressed by how very little ice fell off a liftoff... Looks either improved insulation or a more hydrophobic paint material - or both. (But perhaps this was also favorable weather with less humidity?)
Elon stated this in the Q&A yesterday.  I think.

Yes, for the black material. I was mostly referring to the white tank surface.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Kabloona on 05/11/2018 08:32 pm
This is the first time Ti grid fins have been recovered from a GTO launch, correct?  Not even a hint of ablation during or after the entry burn that I could see.

The Ti grid fins don't need the SPAM coating like the aluminum did, so there's nothing to ablate.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: hartspace on 05/11/2018 08:32 pm
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 08:33 pm
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.

Good point. For some reason, I thought the Stage 1 aft-facing camera was about to fall off during reentry.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachF on 05/11/2018 08:35 pm
I wonder if the first stage camera succumbed to all the condensation that seemed to be building up on it.

Consequence of the "semi-active" water cooling system?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/11/2018 08:36 pm
Some new camera views so far during this launch. 

-Drone footage.
-Extended footage from behind the pusher system and from Stage 2 looking down in the interstage prior to separation.
-Footage from inside the interstage well after separation.  Not just of Stage 2 igniting and flying away, but after the start of stage 1 reorientation.
-More views looking up at the payload and forward during Stage 2 burn.  Usually we only see those during fairing sep and the rest of the time we're looking back at the engine/nozzle. 
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: SciNews on 05/11/2018 08:37 pm
Falcon 9 Block 5 first launch & landing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBEH4t05AvM
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 05/11/2018 08:38 pm
I wonder if the first stage camera succumbed to all the condensation that seemed to be building up on it.

The picture was rocking noticeably every time the RCS fired. It isn't impossible that the camera was loose inside its housing and, with the much greater vibrations of the entry burn, took damage. Maybe the data cabling shook loose or something.

Good point. I am sure that’s something the engineers will be looking into post flight.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/11/2018 08:39 pm
Elon’s press call earlier:

Transcript of the call:
https://gist.github.com/theinternetftw/5ba82bd5f4099934fa0556b9d09c123e

I just wanted to call out theinternetftw with extra thanks for providing this transcript.  I listened to the telecon audio, AND then read the transcript, and really got a lot of detail out of the latter that I'd missed the first time through.  And reading it, even with the finer detail, goes a little faster than listening to it.  I'm sure you're using some speech-to-text software there but there's still a lot of human effort involved and I wanted to thank you for it, more than just clicking the little "like" button.

There's a LOT of very interesting things in there.

Nice transcript.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: akfish on 05/11/2018 08:39 pm
The shaking of on-board cameras seems excessive to me. Even the 2nd stage cameras started shaking after staging. I hope it's just the camera mounts became loose, not the rocket body having vibration problems.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 05/11/2018 08:42 pm
Can I ask why Bangladesh is having to lease an orbital slot from Russia for this satellite?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Kabloona on 05/11/2018 08:42 pm
Camera shake may or may not be related to the vibration concern Elon mentioned in the call, saying that engine chamber pressures would be reduced as engine burns progressed, for reasons related to vibration.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Oersted on 05/11/2018 08:42 pm
Wauw, that was really a quite ...unique video from the Bangladeshi side.... Interesting insight into how that country works.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/11/2018 08:42 pm
I was impressed by how very little ice fell off a liftoff... Looks either improved insulation or a more hydrophobic paint material - or both. (But perhaps this was also favorable weather with less humidity?)
Elon stated this in the Q&A yesterday.  I think.

The paint is not hydrophobic, the new black TPS is.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: jaufgang on 05/11/2018 08:44 pm
Did anyone else notice that immediately post-entry burn, the first stage camera view looked perfectly clear until the condensation started just before the video signal was lost?

In previous launches, the entry burn would leave the camera lens or housing window covered in soot which would leave the view somewhat obscured during landing. 

On this launch, the soot seemed to be accumulating on the glass during the reentry burn, but then immediately afterwards, as soon as the burn ended, the view was completely clear. 

Perhaps all or part of the camera housing got blown away?  Might that have something to do with the condensation and vibration?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/11/2018 08:44 pm
Is there a new expansion nozzle material? I've never seen it radiate purple like that before!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: rpapo on 05/11/2018 08:44 pm
Is there a new expansion nozzle material? I've never seen it radiate purple like that before!
It seemed to me they had new cameras all around.  The color balance was different, and they seemed to vibrate more than usual.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 05/11/2018 08:45 pm
Wauw, that was really a quite ...unique video from the Bangladeshi side.... Interesting insight into how that country works.

I like their ground station very modern looking.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/11/2018 08:46 pm
Is there a new expansion nozzle material? I've never seen it radiate purple like that before!

Just an artifact of the new cameras, which they may want to correct. But they could also be tweaked on purpose to show more infrared.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Grandpa to Two on 05/11/2018 08:46 pm
I noticed immediatly after the landing burn cut off a rcs valve pulsed the longest pulse I’ve ever seen (pulsing to screen left). That was cool. Such a great launch from the block 5. Can’t wait to see the Dragon 2 on top with crew.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: sanman on 05/11/2018 08:48 pm
Bangabandhu-1 satellite deployed!

Joy Bangla! Congrats SpaceX!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ClayJar on 05/11/2018 08:48 pm
Is there a new expansion nozzle material? I've never seen it radiate purple like that before!

That's what it looks like when you shoot digital without an IR filter.  (Usually there's one on the sensor itself, but on some cameras like Canon's astronomy models, it's left off and you have to use an external IR filter or it looks like that.)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/11/2018 08:48 pm
Wauw, that was really a quite ...unique video from the Bangladeshi side.... Interesting insight into how that country works.

Go back and watch the address from the Turkmensat launch from a couple years ago.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Star One on 05/11/2018 08:49 pm
Is the second stage deorbiting on this mission?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: sanman on 05/11/2018 08:50 pm
Looks like Elon himself was on hand to supervise
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: akfish on 05/11/2018 08:50 pm
Starting from T+7:10, something came loose. Looks like a ring or a wire. This was just prior to LOS.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 08:51 pm
Is the second stage deorbiting on this mission?

In my opinion, Stage 2 will stay in this GTO.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/11/2018 08:52 pm
Starting from T+7:10, something came loose. Looks like a ring or a wire. This was just prior to LOS.

No, that was just what a drop of condensation rolling across the lens shield looks like from a few millimetres away!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: lrk on 05/11/2018 08:56 pm
Looks like Elon himself was on hand to supervise

Wow, he was tweeting about Tesla from mission control 2 minutes before launch  :o
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/995033832796577792
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: deruch on 05/11/2018 09:03 pm
Hmmm.   They called out good orbit during the broadcast, but the dashboard display was showing less than 35,000km/h for speed.  IIRC, for their GTO launches it is usually around 36,000km/h or even above.  So, maybe this GTO is going to be closer to GEO-1800m/s end of GTOs or even an undershoot?  Perigee might be a bit higher than usual though, so that might be affecting it.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: LouScheffer on 05/11/2018 09:07 pm
Not a super-synchronous GTO.  It cut off at 34832 k/hr = 9676 m/s.  Add in about 400 m/s (Earth rotation) to get 10076 m/s. compared to the normal GTO speed at this altitude of 10148 m/s.  Assuming this is due to inclination reduction, the change in inclination would be about cos-1(10076/10148), or about 6.5 degrees.

So I'd expect a GTO orbit something like 300x36000, inclination 21o. If so about 1670 m/s to GEO.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 05/11/2018 09:31 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Bangladesh for the successful launch!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Mader Levap on 05/11/2018 09:43 pm
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.
I had exactly opposite impression. Quality of camera on stage and barge was abysmal.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ChrisC on 05/11/2018 09:52 pm
Starting from T+7:10, something came loose. Looks like a ring or a wire. This was just prior to LOS.

No, that was just what a drop of condensation rolling across the lens shield looks like from a few millimetres away!

That's what the commentator suggested, using prepared remarks, but I think we will find out that it was indeed a damaged camera, as discussed above.

It's like the Falcon Heavy launch camera mixup.  The commentator was pointing out how the cameras from the two returning boosters were showing what looked like identical views, but he assured us that it was actually two different cameras from two different rockets.  But veterans here could clearly see that it was precisely the same video feed -- the RCS cold gas bursts wouldn't be THAT synchronized.  And this was proven when the two booster cameras seeme dot show the two boosters returning to the same LZ pad :)  As it turned out, SpaceX screwed up the video routing during the live event, and it WAS the same camera shown twice.  Don't pay too much attention to the live commentary, especially if you've been here a while and already know all of the basic ways that the video feeds can get degraded.  They're just providing the "usual" reason off a script.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cebri on 05/11/2018 10:04 pm
Congratulations SpaceX. I feel like it was yesterday when i saw the first F9 fly. It's been 8 years since that day.

Great thing they recovered the booster too. I bet NASA is going to have a lot of interest in seeing how the different components performed (specially the COPV and the turbo blades).
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/11/2018 10:30 pm
Congratulations SpaceX and Bangladesh!  :)

We are now in the "block 5 era".
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: douglas100 on 05/11/2018 10:35 pm
Looks like less soot on the RP-1 tank compared with previous landings. Maybe a consequence of a paint change, or the passive water cooling system.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: LouScheffer on 05/11/2018 11:13 pm
Not a super-synchronous GTO.  It cut off at 34832 k/hr = 9676 m/s.  Add in about 400 m/s (Earth rotation) to get 10076 m/s. compared to the normal GTO speed at this altitude of 10148 m/s.  Assuming this is due to inclination reduction, the change in inclination would be about cos-1(10076/10148), or about 6.5 degrees.

So I'd expect a GTO orbit something like 300x36000, inclination 21o. If so about 1670 m/s to GEO.
Orbit parameters according to new space-track TLE

2018-05-11 21:52:04.21 UTC - 308.49/35549.15km/19.3139°   

Physics works again!   It's very reliable...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: catdlr on 05/11/2018 11:27 pm
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.
I had exactly opposite impression. Quality of camera on stage and barge was abysmal.

Similar impression as well. My thoughts are that these were SD cameras instead of HD cameras (maybe to get around the NOAA restrictions my opinion).  Was not impressed at all at the clarity and video transmission. I'm sure they will improve.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/11/2018 11:44 pm
Can I ask why Bangladesh is having to lease an orbital slot from Russia for this satellite?

Bumping this question so it doesn't get lost in the "old pages" of this thread.

Speculation: Did the ITU assign them a slot, and they lost it through non-use?  Or they leased said slot in the past to another entity?
***

Congratulations to all parties involved on a great launch and the evolution of the Falcon 9 launch system!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ugordan on 05/11/2018 11:45 pm
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.
I had exactly opposite impression. Quality of camera on stage and barge was abysmal.

Similar impression as well. My thoughts are that these were SD cameras instead of HD cameras (maybe to get around the NOAA restrictions my opinion).  Was not impressed at all at the clarity and video transmission. I'm sure they will improve.

They never were HD in the first place. What has changed is apparently they switched from CCD based to CMOS based cameras which show that (annoying) rolling shutter effect, also apparently don't have an IR filter judging by the prolonged MVac glow after shutdown and they appear to be even more wide-angle lens than before.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JimO on 05/11/2018 11:49 pm
I'm presuming the illumination at PL sep was natural sunlight. So the burn should have made a spectacular plume in the evening sky over the South Atlantic. Does anybody have approx. lat/long of the ground track at start and stop of the GTO burn?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 05/11/2018 11:55 pm
Was it only me or did the cameras/first stage shake more than in previous launches whenever the cold gas thrusters fired. Maybe they got an upgrade too?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ugordan on 05/11/2018 11:56 pm
That thing jumped off the pad noticeably faster than previous F9s, I didn't expect the thrust increase to be that noticeable especially when taking into consideration that more LOX mass was loaded than before and the overall vehicle structure is likely heavier. Looked more like the inaugural FH than single stick launches.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/11/2018 11:58 pm
That thing jumped off the pad noticeably faster than previous F9s, I didn't expect the thrust increase to be that noticeable especially when taking into consideration that more LOX mass was loaded than before and the overall vehicle structure is likely heavier.

Do we have Thrust/Weight at lift-off ratios for the various versions of Falcon 9?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/12/2018 12:01 am
I'm presuming the illumination at PL sep was natural sunlight. So the burn should have made a spectacular plume in the evening sky over the South Atlantic. Does anybody have approx. lat/long of the ground track at start and stop of the GTO burn?

No, it was illuminated from the stage, as far as I can tell. Both the downfacing and upfacing stage 2 cameras now have built in lights.

Note in the video how there is no sunlight on the MVac, but in the shot of the satellite departing the light is from below - where the MVac should in that case have been seen some illumination. No, it was a strong light, it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPq9oV9azyQ

And the SpaceX GTO burns are always made over the same spot... where the ground track for the most optimal launch from KSC crosses the equator, over the coast of Gabon.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Aussie_Space_Nut on 05/12/2018 12:27 am
Congratulations to SpaceX & Bangladesh!

Thank you to all at NASASpaceFlight for doing your thing so well!

This all makes me very happy! :-)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/12/2018 12:35 am
Maybe it was the lighting, but it seemed like the on-board cameras were providing much-better-than-usual video quality.  New cams to go with Block 5, maybe?  Loved the drone view of the launch as well.  And, as noted above, they probably need to tighten the bracket holding the 1st stage camera.  Otherwise, everything looked great so far.
I had exactly opposite impression. Quality of camera on stage and barge was abysmal.

Similar impression as well. My thoughts are that these were SD cameras instead of HD cameras (maybe to get around the NOAA restrictions my opinion).  Was not impressed at all at the clarity and video transmission. I'm sure they will improve.

NOAA has nothing to do with Stage 1 cameras.  They seemed to be having transmission problems.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/12/2018 12:46 am
5 is Alive! Congrats SpaceX! 8)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JimO on 05/12/2018 12:47 am
I'm presuming the illumination at PL sep was natural sunlight. So the burn should have made a spectacular plume in the evening sky over the South Atlantic. Does anybody have approx. lat/long of the ground track at start and stop of the GTO burn?

No, it was illuminated from the stage, as far as I can tell. Both the downfacing and upfacing stage 2 cameras now have built in lights. 

Excellent insights, thank you. I've been collecting ground observations of Falcon 2nd stage pluming events to compare with the bizarre spinning double-plume from Zuma.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: octavo on 05/12/2018 05:31 am
I just rewatched the second stage cut off and if you notice, the purple coloring on the bell only really comes from one of the cameras. The other one has a much more pinkish view.

Maybe the vibrations shook the IR filter off one of the cameras?

Eta: watch from 46:01 on the SpaceX feed onwards to see what I mean
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Jakusb on 05/12/2018 07:10 am
What an amazing step forward again!
Not only for SpaceX and space tech, but also for the country of Bangladesh!

Now bring the rocket home, take it apart and hopefully confirm all would have been good for immediate reflight!
Then put it back together and return it to the active fleet.

Congratulations to all who have been working so hard to make this all possible!
Amazing work and so inspiring to see such progress being made every launch!
Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: seruriermarshal on 05/12/2018 08:16 am
Congrats SpaceX!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Llian Rhydderch on 05/12/2018 12:01 pm
Was this a new procedure on the use of the rainbirds for Block 5?

It appears to me that, although the two sets of four rainbirds on each side of the rocket (in the launch webcast camera) began flowing a small volume of water at ~T-0:52, and the two end rainbirds came on at high volume at T-0:08,...

... all eight of the side rainbirds seem to have stayed at low-medium volume all the way through ignition and liftoff.

link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQEqKZ7CJlk?t=1060)

What do others recall from previous F9 launches at LC-39A?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Bubbinski on 05/12/2018 02:43 pm
Congratulations SpaceX for the successful flight of the first Block 5, the human rated launcher that will fly astronauts into orbit, the launcher that is designed to be flown 10 times w/out major refurbishment. 9 years ago yesterday I was on the causeway watching STS-125 the shuttle Atlantis launch on the last Hubble servicing mission, from the same pad that the F9 Block 5 was launched on yesterday. And congratulations to Bangladesh for the successful orbiting of its first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, and its move into “developing country” status from LDC, it is moving up in the world.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/12/2018 06:01 pm
Just a point of interest - Grimes, Elon’s new friend - was in SpaceX Mission Control with him during the launch. I think she did the final countdown. My wife actually said, “hey, that’s not the usual voice” - and she was barely listening while reading emails on her phone...
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: IanThePineapple on 05/12/2018 06:08 pm
Just a point of interest - Grimes, Elon’s new friend - was in SpaceX Mission Control with him during the launch. I think she did the final countdown. My wife actually said, “hey, that’s not the usual voice” - and she was barely listening while reading emails on her phone...

The voice sounded an awful lot like the person who counted down the FH launch
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ugordan on 05/12/2018 06:19 pm
The voice sounded an awful lot like the person who counted down the FH launch

And several others.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: ngilmore on 05/12/2018 06:28 pm
Can I ask why Bangladesh is having to lease an orbital slot from Russia for this satellite?

Spacenews answered this:

Quote
Bangladesh had orbital slots from the United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union that it considered too far from Bangladesh to ensure reliable satellite services. After years of seeking better orbital locations, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) hired consulting firm Space Partnership International (SPI) of Bethesda, Maryland in 2012 to guide the nation in obtaining a better slot and through the acquisition of Bangabandhu-1. SPI helped BTRC secure an orbital slot closer to Bangladesh at 119.1 degrees east from the Russian company Intersputnik for $28 million.

http://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-bangladeshi-satellite-on-debut-block-5-falcon-9-mission/
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: TrueBlueWitt on 05/12/2018 11:08 pm
Looking at that video, it appears the water from the two closest rain birds(the ones that soak the TEL) has a reddish color.. could be rust but doesn't really look like it..  maybe they're mixing in some flame retardant? Looks kind of like what's used on Forest Fires.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: vaporcobra on 05/12/2018 11:35 pm
Looking at that video, it appears the water from the two closest rain birds(the ones that soak the TEL) has a reddish color.. could be rust but doesn't really look like it..  maybe they're mixing in some flame retardant? Looks kind of like what's used on Forest Fires.

It's sediment/dirt. The water suppression system sat unused since Falcon Heavy, more than three months ago.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: cscott on 05/13/2018 01:22 am
Looking at that video, it appears the water from the two closest rain birds(the ones that soak the TEL) has a reddish color.. could be rust but doesn't really look like it..  maybe they're mixing in some flame retardant? Looks kind of like what's used on Forest Fires.

It's sediment/dirt. The water suppression system sat unused since Falcon Heavy, more than three months ago.
Isn't it used for static fires?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: mgeagon on 05/13/2018 02:20 am
Was this a new procedure on the use of the rainbirds for Block 5?
It appears to me that, although the two sets of four rainbirds on each side of the rocket (in the launch webcast camera) began flowing a small volume of water at ~T-0:52, and the two end rainbirds came on at high volume at T-0:08,... all eight of the side rainbirds seem to have stayed at low-medium volume all the way through ignition and liftoff.
link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQEqKZ7CJlk?t=1060)
Yes, it was definitely noticeable. Perhaps, since the rainbird system was upgraded for Falcon Heavy, it does not need maximum volume for Falcon 9?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Llian Rhydderch on 05/13/2018 03:15 am
New data on the rainbird question I asked a few posts above.  Thanks for others of you weighing in on it.

This video from the update thread, I think, gives the answer.

Quote
UP CLOSE Pad camera views from the Bangabandhu Satellite 1 launch

AmericaSpace
Published on May 12, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axF6sbdtchA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axF6sbdtchA?t=001)

The side rainbirds do stay at low volume during ignition and liftoff; then pickup to full/high volume only one to two seconds AFTER liftoff. 

This seems quite new.  Was it used on Falcon Heavy launch and we just did not notice it?

Seems they intentionally want to keep this water OFF of the new Block 5 engines during startup, etc.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/13/2018 03:45 am
The side rainbirds do stay at low volume during ignition and liftoff; then pickup to full/high volume only one to two seconds AFTER liftoff. 

This seems quite new.  Was it used on Falcon Heavy launch and we just did not notice it?

Seems they intentionally want to keep this water OFF of the new Block 5 engines during startup, etc.

No, that's normal - at least for 39A - although they might have tweaked the timing of when the different flows start. The full flow might damage the rocket, so it is only turned on when the rocket has cleared the launch hold downs.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/13/2018 11:51 am
Images from SpaceX, I believe by Ben Cooper (@LaunchPhoto on Twitter)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/45522.0/1491547.jpg)

This is really a nice transsonic condensation ring around the stage. Perfect conditions for a "full scale test in the really large wind-tunnel above the florida coast"  I am sure if needed they really wanted, they could verify their aerodynamic modeling of the rocket's ascent through the sound barrier by just looking where these form and how.

Then again, judging by SpaceX experience and how smooth these condensation clouds are, I'd assume the air flows just as predicted. But its still nice to have nature make this visible for everyone.


Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JimO on 05/13/2018 12:13 pm
Report from Perth about observing fuel dump from stage 2. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianMeteorReports/permalink/851651691705477/?hc_location=ufi

compare with
http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/zuma_vs_falcon9-stage2_clouds_plumes_overview.pdf
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Paul_G on 05/13/2018 05:35 pm
Report from Perth about observing fuel dump from stage 2. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianMeteorReports/permalink/851651691705477/?hc_location=ufi

compare with
http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/zuma_vs_falcon9-stage2_clouds_plumes_overview.pdf

In the webcast, SpaceX mentioned that the 2nd stage was spun up to a rotation of 1.5' per second prior to spacecraft separation - would this small spin cause the 'Zuma' like spiral fuel dump that Grahame captured in his photos, or is it more likely that this spiral fuel dump pattern is standard behaviour when bleeding down the propellant lines and tanks?

Paul
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: SciNews on 05/14/2018 07:40 am
Some have missed this part during the live broadcast, so here is Michael Hammersley explaining the aborted launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RMy1JtVZU
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: AncientU on 05/14/2018 11:17 am
Here is the clarification of that 300 launches quote:
Quote
SpaceX will prob build 30 to 40 rocket cores for ~300 missions over 5 years. Then BFR takes over & Falcon retires. Goal of BFR is to enable anyone to move to moon, Mars & eventually outer planets.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/995462943079723008

Lots of wiggle room there for BFR arriving a bit late -- something like a factor of 10 more flights available from 'the fleet' than required.  300 flights in five years... hhhmmmmmm.  Must include the constellation finally.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: joncz on 05/14/2018 11:59 am
Some have missed this part during the live broadcast, so here is Michael Hammersley explaining the aborted launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RMy1JtVZU

Initialize your variables!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: The Roadie on 05/14/2018 02:23 pm
Some have missed this part during the live broadcast, so here is Michael Hammersley explaining the aborted launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RMy1JtVZU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RMy1JtVZU)

Initialize your variables!
1] Even the hardware ones
2] Run an early pre-check routine before the 2-hour poll to catch these things

San Diego had a famous incident in 2012 where the pyro vendor for 4th of July ran the wrong program at the start of the show. Instead of the synced-to-music program, they ran a wiring continuity check. The diagnostic program was written with minimum timing delays, and should have been run only with shorting plugs at the far ends of the wiring runs instead of the actual mortar igniters. 7000 shells, 4 barges, 30 seconds.

Lesson: Make sure the pre-check routine follows the Hippocratic Oath and does no harm.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: octavo on 05/15/2018 01:59 pm
Does anyone here have the first stage apogee for this flight?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: OneSpeed on 05/15/2018 09:38 pm
Does anyone here have the first stage apogee for this flight?

From the sim posted here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42389.msg1821429#msg1821429 I get about 113kms.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: RoboGoofers on 05/15/2018 10:00 pm
San Diego had a famous incident in 2012 where the pyro vendor for 4th of July ran the wrong program at the start of the show. Instead of the synced-to-music program, they ran a wiring continuity check. The diagnostic program was written with minimum timing delays, and should have been run only with shorting plugs at the far ends of the wiring runs instead of the actual mortar igniters. 7000 shells, 4 barges, 30 seconds.

Lesson: Make sure the pre-check routine follows the Hippocratic Oath and does no harm.
and here's what that looked like-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVhgq1yHdA

yes it's OT but how can you have that description without a video!
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Hitech on 05/15/2018 11:05 pm
Did anyone else notice the overall poor quality of on board video? Lots of "jello" and the IR spectrum was excessive. and lots of camera movement on reentry.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: gongora on 05/15/2018 11:13 pm
Did anyone else notice the overall poor quality of on board video? Lots of "jello" and the IR spectrum was excessive. and lots of camera movement on reentry.

If you look back in this thread I think you'll find other people did notice that.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Hitech on 05/16/2018 12:38 am
Thanks I had missed those. It reminds me of the early days of flying Quad Copters. before the "good" cameras came out. I sure hope that was an anomaly and not the "new standard"
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: litton4 on 05/16/2018 08:36 am
Consequence of move from CCD to CMOS sensors. Get used to it. (probably)
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: JamesH65 on 05/16/2018 12:22 pm
Consequence of move from CCD to CMOS sensors. Get used to it. (probably)

Note that CMOS sensors use CCD's (which are really just arrays of diodes anyway IIRC), but generally include silicon on the die to get the data off rather than a separate chip.

The effect being seen is caused by using rolling shutters, and there are CMOS camera available that do not use the rolling shutter and will produce very good images - global shutter cameras. There are also cameras with fast read out that suffer less from rolling shutter - the faster it's done, the less the effect. Not sure why SpaceX have moved to a less capable system, seems odd. Perhaps they just don't need high quality video any more?
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/16/2018 12:25 pm
Consequence of move from CCD to CMOS sensors. Get used to it. (probably)

CMOS with rolling shutter vs. CMOS with global shutter. Rolling shutter CMOS is cheaper... At least that's what my camera vendor claims to justify his premium.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: edzieba on 05/17/2018 03:19 pm
Consequence of move from CCD to CMOS sensors. Get used to it. (probably)

Note that CMOS sensors use CCD's (which are really just arrays of diodes anyway IIRC), but generally include silicon on the die to get the data off rather than a separate chip.

The effect being seen is caused by using rolling shutters, and there are CMOS camera available that do not use the rolling shutter and will produce very good images - global shutter cameras. There are also cameras with fast read out that suffer less from rolling shutter - the faster it's done, the less the effect. Not sure why SpaceX have moved to a less capable system, seems odd. Perhaps they just don't need high quality video any more?
Ehhh... It's a bit of an artefact of using "CMOS" as a colloquial term. Broadly:
CCD sensors (Charged Couple Devices) are 'photon buckets', capacitor arrays that get charged up as photons hit them. Voltage bars are then use to 'jump these charge buckets down the sensor row-by-row, then feed out that last row bucket-by-bucket into a single amplifier and digitiser.
CMOS sensors have an amplifier and digitiser for each pixel, next to the pixel on the sensor.
Because a CCD has only the voltage bars on the sensor itself, most of the surface area is dedicated to capturing photons. For CMOS, the actual photon capture area is squished in along with all the other circuitry, so the effective sensitivity is lower.
Either type of sensor can exhibit 'rolling shutter' (really rolling scan-out as often there will not be a shutter at all), CMOS just makes it more obvious then CCD because the rolling readout of a CCD occurs over a much shorter time (e.g. 95% of a frame spent capturing photons all at the same time, 5% spent shifting charges and reading out where the 'wrong' charge can build up in cells as they are moved about) while a CMOS sensor is limited by output bandwidth so captures AND reads the sensor a row at a time over the whole frame.

As for why the switch from CCD or global-shutter CMOS to rolling shutter CMOS? Possibly a combination of price for custom cameras (they probably want to re-use them too, so they may want to just stick in a camera they don't need to touch again rather than a cheap GoPro they need to swap out every mission) and savings on mass and power. The days of the video footage being diagnostic are probably over now Block 5 is the 'fixed' configuration and stages are regularly recovered, so not as much mass or money budget needs to be spent on a purely 'pretty pictures' component.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: Lars-J on 05/17/2018 03:33 pm
The days of the video footage being diagnostic are probably over now Block 5 is the 'fixed' configuration and stages are regularly recovered, so not as much mass or money budget needs to be spent on a purely 'pretty pictures' component.

That makes no sense. We now can reuse boosters, so we will use cheaper and worse components?  ;D No.

They might have other reasons for the switch, but that would not be it. Because as confidence in recovery has grown, they have started adding more expensive parts that they are confident they can get back. The titanium grid fins is a perfect example.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: edzieba on 05/18/2018 12:52 pm
The days of the video footage being diagnostic are probably over now Block 5 is the 'fixed' configuration and stages are regularly recovered, so not as much mass or money budget needs to be spent on a purely 'pretty pictures' component.

That makes no sense. We now can reuse boosters, so we will use cheaper and worse components?  ;D No.
That's not what I said. If you can put on your existing COTS cameras but need to replace them after every launch because they can't handle the thermal cycling, they are 'worse' than custom cameras that have a lower picture quality but can be left in place for multiple re-uses. Extra effort put into higher picture quality would not provide value beyond shinier PR pictures, but effort put into longevity means another barrier to rapid re-use is removed.
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: EeeVee3 on 05/18/2018 01:54 pm
/unlurk  :). Ive been using both cmos and ccd cameras on my UAV's for years for 1st person view flying... to me.. ccd cams have much better WDR (wide dynamic range) handling. CMOS have usually none. Though some in recent years have implemented a software solution which is ... mmm ok ish.
WDR brightens darker parts of the view and dulls off brighter parts of the scene. Space is VERY BLACK or very Bright so WDR is a GIVEN. IR filters which (dont seem to be fitted on the banga flight) produce greater better colours.. (SX may have done this on purpose looking for IR hot spots, on the S2 nozzle I can understand, but on the S1 ?  )

/back to lurking  ;D
Title: Re: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/18/2018 02:32 pm

Either type of sensor can exhibit 'rolling shutter' (really rolling scan-out as often there will not be a shutter at all), CMOS just makes it more obvious then CCD because the rolling readout of a CCD occurs over a much shorter time (e.g. 95% of a frame spent capturing photons all at the same time, 5% spent shifting charges and reading out where the 'wrong' charge can build up in cells as they are moved about) while a CMOS sensor is limited by output bandwidth so captures AND reads the sensor a row at a time over the whole frame.


A small nit on that, Global shutters on CCD's are usually done with either interline or frame transfer masks, not rapid readout of the sensor. The charge for the entire chip is transferred under a light blocking mask and then read out.  With an interline mask every other row is a mask and the charge for the whole frame gets shifted sideways one pixel then readout. This gives you a true snapshot and global shutter. Classic example is the Sony ICX-285AL, heavily used in the scientific and microscopy imaging (Though I am really loving new discontinued Sony ICX-825). Frame transfer involves one side of the sensor being under the mask and the charge being quickly transferred sideways under it. CMOS will work in a similar manner with a mask pattern that the charge is quickly transferred under. Not sure of the pattern Sony is using with it's new CMOS, but I believe they are burying the mask in the gate structure under the pixel.

Now the reason global shutter sensors cost more is it requires twice the silicon area of a rolling shutter (and with interline you also have micro lenses above each non masked row to increase the fill factor from 50% to closer to 100%).

We know return you to the usual discussions of SpaceX, Rockets, and how many Falcons can dance on the head of a barge.

*btw The writing is on the wall for CCD sensors, Sony (largest manufacture) has announced it will switch to CMOS over the next 5 years. Actually, Sony polled it's vendors, made a final prediction and built all the CCD's it will ever make back in 2016, it then stuck all in a wharehouse promising to have enough inventory to last through 2025. In 2016 it then decommissioned the CCD line (The floor space has been replaced with a new CMOS line). But the good news is my suppliers have promises from Sony that I will have the CCD's I use until 2025. For CCD's this just really leaves E2V, Hammatsu, On Semi (bought Kodak's line). CMOS, it is the future!!!