Quote from: shuttlefan on 12/18/2017 12:10 amQuote from: rockets4life97 on 12/17/2017 10:52 pmWe need some more space reporters out at Vandenberg. The successful static fire attempt wasn't even publicly posted as occurring. Very different than static fires occurring at the Cape. When did the static fire ocurr?Earlier today apparently.
Quote from: rockets4life97 on 12/17/2017 10:52 pmWe need some more space reporters out at Vandenberg. The successful static fire attempt wasn't even publicly posted as occurring. Very different than static fires occurring at the Cape. When did the static fire ocurr?
We need some more space reporters out at Vandenberg. The successful static fire attempt wasn't even publicly posted as occurring. Very different than static fires occurring at the Cape.
Quote from: cppetrie on 12/18/2017 12:47 amQuote from: shuttlefan on 12/18/2017 12:10 amQuote from: rockets4life97 on 12/17/2017 10:52 pmWe need some more space reporters out at Vandenberg. The successful static fire attempt wasn't even publicly posted as occurring. Very different than static fires occurring at the Cape. When did the static fire ocurr?Earlier today apparently.Thus proving that things happen even while NSF is not paying attention.
An interesting possibility FYI cross-posting from the GCOM-C launch thread:Quote from: yoichi on 10/27/2017 05:58 amhttp://global.jaxa.jp/press/2017/10/20171027_h2af37.htmlLaunch of Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and Super Low Altitude Test Satellite TSUBAME" (SLATS) aboard H-IIA Vehicle No. 37October 27, 2017 (JST)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.National Research and Development AgencyJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are pleased to announce the launch schedule for Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) by H-IIA launch vehicle No. 37.Scheduled date of Launch : December 23 (Sat.), 2017Launch time : 10:26:22 a.m. through 10:48:22 a.m. (JST)Reserved Launch period : December 24 (Sun.), 2017 through January 31 (Wed.), 2018Launch site : Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the tanegashima Space Center <snip>And:Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/27/2017 06:53 amNote that as of right now, the start of the launch window for this falls on the exact same minute (!!!) as for the launch of Falcon 9/Iridium NEXT Flight 4 on the opposite side of the Pacific. IF (a very big one) this ultimately happens the two will be <=37 seconds apart, which will be an all time record. I very much doubt both will manage to hold on schedule to that point with 57 days left but.....one never knows for sure when will we need split screens. Technical info on GCOM-C can be found here, and for SLATS here.
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2017/10/20171027_h2af37.htmlLaunch of Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and Super Low Altitude Test Satellite TSUBAME" (SLATS) aboard H-IIA Vehicle No. 37October 27, 2017 (JST)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.National Research and Development AgencyJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are pleased to announce the launch schedule for Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) by H-IIA launch vehicle No. 37.Scheduled date of Launch : December 23 (Sat.), 2017Launch time : 10:26:22 a.m. through 10:48:22 a.m. (JST)Reserved Launch period : December 24 (Sun.), 2017 through January 31 (Wed.), 2018Launch site : Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the tanegashima Space Center <snip>
Note that as of right now, the start of the launch window for this falls on the exact same minute (!!!) as for the launch of Falcon 9/Iridium NEXT Flight 4 on the opposite side of the Pacific. IF (a very big one) this ultimately happens the two will be <=37 seconds apart, which will be an all time record. I very much doubt both will manage to hold on schedule to that point with 57 days left but.....one never knows for sure when will we need split screens. Technical info on GCOM-C can be found here, and for SLATS here.
Quote from: meekGee on 12/18/2017 06:55 amQuote from: cppetrie on 12/18/2017 12:47 amQuote from: shuttlefan on 12/18/2017 12:10 amQuote from: rockets4life97 on 12/17/2017 10:52 pmWe need some more space reporters out at Vandenberg. The successful static fire attempt wasn't even publicly posted as occurring. Very different than static fires occurring at the Cape. When did the static fire ocurr?Earlier today apparently.Thus proving that things happen even while NSF is not paying attention.The launch is happening on the "wrong" coast, thus as with all previous Vandenberg launches, it is virtually ignored in this forum.I've seen the discussion get started less than 48 hours before the planned launch date.By comparison, we have launch discussions for Florida that predate the launch by seasons, sometimes years.I guess Vandy is just the unloved child in the family.
Tweet from Matt Desch:QuoteMy schedule, provided by SpaceX shows it as 5:27:23 PST...
My schedule, provided by SpaceX shows it as 5:27:23 PST...
Launch Four Iridium Emblem
Quote from: Raul on 12/16/2017 08:51 pmLaunch Four Iridium EmblemI'm amused by the belt-and-suspenders approach to luck on this flight: the traditional clover leaf, plus a horseshoe, both hiding in Lady Liberty.
https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/942830392092000256
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/18/2017 06:05 pmhttps://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/942830392092000256This picture really puts the fairing into perspective. I knew it was large, but this gives a real feeling for just how large it really is! No wonder SpaceX wants to recover it.Edit: linking to the image attached by FutureSpaceTourist... hope I'm doing this right.
A user on r/SpaceX is saying this core is flying expendable. Can anyone confirm this? And if its true, why? I know they are probably running out of room to store them but its still more data and more usable engines. https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/7cgts7/iridium_next_constellation_mission_4_launch/drg64bk/
Quote from: FutureMartian97 on 12/19/2017 12:41 amA user on r/SpaceX is saying this core is flying expendable. Can anyone confirm this? And if its true, why? I know they are probably running out of room to store them but its still more data and more usable engines. https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/7cgts7/iridium_next_constellation_mission_4_launch/drg64bk/He said he got the info from a friend at Vandy. I'm still thinking it's unlikely to be going expendable, but this comment, even if the guy isn't proven reliable, might challenge that.
Potentially just a huge misinterpretation.Poster: Are they going to land the booster at Vandy?Friend: No, they aren't going to land it here.Poster: Then it must be expendable!
Quote from: virnin on 12/19/2017 01:20 amPotentially just a huge misinterpretation.Poster: Are they going to land the booster at Vandy?Friend: No, they aren't going to land it here.Poster: Then it must be expendable!The phrase "does not have the grid fins and landing legs" doesn't really lend itself to misinterpretation
Quote from: leetdan on 12/19/2017 01:59 amQuote from: virnin on 12/19/2017 01:20 amPotentially just a huge misinterpretation.Poster: Are they going to land the booster at Vandy?Friend: No, they aren't going to land it here.Poster: Then it must be expendable!The phrase "does not have the grid fins and landing legs" doesn't really lend itself to misinterpretation This from Spaceflight101.com http://spaceflight101.com/spacex-falcon-9-completes-static-fire-test-for-year-closing-launch/Appears to have both fins and legs. #QED. Unless the photo posted is a file photo..