Tweet from SSL:Thumbs up! TELKOM-4 is progressing through SSL’s Palo Alto factory on schedule.
SSL SELECTED AS WINNER OF PROCUREMENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE TO TELKOM, INDONESIA’S LARGEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORK PROVIDERPALO ALTO, Calif. – December 30, 2015 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it was selected to provide a communications satellite to PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, the largest telecommunication and network provider in Indonesia. SSL was informed last week that it is the winner of the procurement of the TELKOM-4 satellite, which will be used for fixed satellite services in Indonesia, India, and Southeast Asia.“Satellite services are particularly important in regions such as Indonesia where the population is spread over thousands of islands,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “For SSL, this is the third satellite for Indonesia that we will add to our backlog and we are honored to play such an important role in expanding the telecommunications infrastructure for the nation and the region.” "Because our country consists of thousands of islands, Indonesia needs satellite technology,” said Alex J Sinaga, president director and chief operating officer of Telkom. “Satellite complements our other technologies, such as submarine cable, as the backbone that connects the islands of Indonesia.”The satellite will be based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. It is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
[detikInet Feb 16, 2017] SpaceX Launches Still Trust Telkom 4Telkom still high reliance on Elon Musk's SpaceX owned satellite launch Telkom 4, despite a little incident on a satellite explosion Facebook. ...As planned, Telkom 4 later when it was launched with estimates in June 2018, will occupy the orbital slot 108 degrees longitude (BT). This satellite will replace one whose term Telkom remained active until 2022.
[detikInet Sep 11, 2017] Buyarnya Telkom 4 Satellite Plan on August 17, 2018Telkom 4 satellite is planned to be launched on special day. Precisely on August 17, 2018. However, due to Telkom 1 satellite anomaly, the launch schedule may change...."Specifically for Telkom 4, we have coordinated with the satellite manufacturer to be able to advance 60 days, but the manufacturing itself, the launch itself, we coordinate with the launcher, whether the queue can be advanced, if it can succeed, then Telkom 4 can go early," continued Alex .
I guess I should start a mission thread for this one soon (although it's still 20+ spots down the manifest):QuoteTweet from SSL:Thumbs up! TELKOM-4 is progressing through SSL’s Palo Alto factory on schedule.
Whew - I had to blow that photo up. For a minute there I thought some dude was hanging on to the upper right-hand edge of that bird with his butt protruding out...
An article mentions them trying to move the launch up to May. Given the state of the SpaceX manifest that seems unlikely unless they're jumping in front of some other payloads, but maybe it will happen.[CNN Indonesia] Telkom 4 Satellite Targeted to Launch in May 2018
It is possible thanks to the Falcon 9 rocket that can fly repeatedly.
Quote from: gongora on 12/14/2017 01:29 pmAn article mentions them trying to move the launch up to May. Given the state of the SpaceX manifest that seems unlikely unless they're jumping in front of some other payloads, but maybe it will happen.[CNN Indonesia] Telkom 4 Satellite Targeted to Launch in May 2018Hard to tell context from Google Translate, but maybe they are trying to get on a used booster to launch sooner...QuoteIt is possible thanks to the Falcon 9 rocket that can fly repeatedly.
Hmmm...If the sat shows up at the cape by mid March then a launch in May is highly likely.Think of SpaceX launch processing and launch at the Cape/KSC as a FIFO buffer. Launch dates are assigned once the sat reaches the local area for the beginning of launch processing. If it reaches the area before others that had prospective dates before it, it would launch before them. In the words of the AF 45th SW commander that SpaceX is all about go when ready. If Telkom 4 is the next sat ready then it would be the next sat launched.
Telkom 4 satellite will be launched mid-May to August 2018 with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket SpaceX space company from the United States. Director of Network and IT Solution of PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk Zulhefi Abidin said in Jakarta on Thursday (18/1), Telkom 4 Satellite is targeted to be assembled and tested in March 2018. "The launch has slots, schedule, schedule between May and August 2018, that's our slot, "he said.
Quote from: oldAtlas_Eguy on 12/14/2017 06:10 pmHmmm...If the sat shows up at the cape by mid March then a launch in May is highly likely.Think of SpaceX launch processing and launch at the Cape/KSC as a FIFO buffer. Launch dates are assigned once the sat reaches the local area for the beginning of launch processing. If it reaches the area before others that had prospective dates before it, it would launch before them. In the words of the AF 45th SW commander that SpaceX is all about go when ready. If Telkom 4 is the next sat ready then it would be the next sat launched.No. That is not true. Until SpaceX catches up on their manifest (which will be another year) it can't become true.
Quote from: gongora on 12/14/2017 07:02 pmQuote from: oldAtlas_Eguy on 12/14/2017 06:10 pmHmmm...If the sat shows up at the cape by mid March then a launch in May is highly likely.Think of SpaceX launch processing and launch at the Cape/KSC as a FIFO buffer. Launch dates are assigned once the sat reaches the local area for the beginning of launch processing. If it reaches the area before others that had prospective dates before it, it would launch before them. In the words of the AF 45th SW commander that SpaceX is all about go when ready. If Telkom 4 is the next sat ready then it would be the next sat launched.No. That is not true. Until SpaceX catches up on their manifest (which will be another year) it can't become true.If a satellite isn't ready, it can't be launched... so there is SOME truth to this, any satellites that are ready to be launched would presumably go ahead of satellites that aren't even at the cape yet....
Have we heard anything else from Telkom on if they've agreed to launch on a reused booster?
Quote from: Ragmar on 01/19/2018 02:48 pmHave we heard anything else from Telkom on if they've agreed to launch on a reused booster?Yes and they announced that way back in May 2017.''President Director of Telkom, Alex J. Sinaga mentioned to CNN, “Investment in Telkom-4 will be cheaper as we use a reusable orbital rocket from SpaceX''https://seasia.co/2017/05/01/indonesia-to-use-spacex-to-launch-next-satellite
Quote from: MazenHesham on 01/29/2018 04:35 pmQuote from: Ragmar on 01/19/2018 02:48 pmHave we heard anything else from Telkom on if they've agreed to launch on a reused booster?Yes and they announced that way back in May 2017.''President Director of Telkom, Alex J. Sinaga mentioned to CNN, “Investment in Telkom-4 will be cheaper as we use a reusable orbital rocket from SpaceX''https://seasia.co/2017/05/01/indonesia-to-use-spacex-to-launch-next-satelliteThat sounds to me like they are talking about the economics of Falcon 9 being reusable, not that they have agreed to fly on a reused core. I don't think that this means that they won't, but this statement does not indicate to me that they will necessarily be on a flight proven booster.
So, thats gonna be Block 5?
Quote from: AlphaAdhito on 06/06/2018 01:50 amSo, thats gonna be Block 5?After CRS-15, every orbital launch will be Block 5.
Quote from: vaporcobra on 06/06/2018 02:02 amQuote from: AlphaAdhito on 06/06/2018 01:50 amSo, thats gonna be Block 5?After CRS-15, every orbital launch will be Block 5.Unless the Inflight Abort Test uses Core B1042, which is a Block 4 model.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (From SSL)June 21, 2018Maxar’s SSL ships first of three advanced communications satellites scheduled to launch on the SpaceX Falcon 9 this summerCommercially driven advances help SSL customers to connect people and transform lives around the worldPalo Alto, Calif. – SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR, TSX: MAXR), today announced it shipped the first of three satellites that SSL will deliver to the SpaceX launch base at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida over the next month. Driven by commercial advances, the three satellites will bring communications capability to connect people and transform lives around the globe.Telstar 19 VANTAGE, an advanced high throughput satellite (HTS) built for Telesat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, marks the 50th SSL-built communications satellite to launch this decade. It arrived safely at the launch base this week for a launch scheduled next month.Two more SSL communications satellites are scheduled to ship to SpaceX launch base over the next month including a second HTS for Telesat, Telstar 18 VANTAGE, and the Merah Putih satellite (previously known as Telkom-4), for Indonesia’s largest telecommunication and network provider, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.“SSL has a long legacy of leveraging its commercial mindset to provide satellite operators with spacecraft systems that address their requirements and enable global transformation,” said Dario Zamarian, group president, SSL. “The cadence this month of shipping out three satellites for launch demonstrates our ongoing market leadership and commitment to quality, reliability, and performance.”Telstar 19 VANTAGETelstar 19 VANTAGE is one of a new generation of Telesat spacecraft designed to serve today’s bandwidth intensive applications. It will support a range of services, including advanced broadband connectivity for consumer, enterprise and mobility users across the Americas and Atlantic from its prime orbital location of 63 degrees West, the same location used today by Telesat’s Telstar 14R. Like all Telesat VANTAGE satellites, Telstar 19 VANTAGE combines broad regional beams and powerful HTS spot beams enabling customers to maximize throughput and spectral efficiency while optimizing network performance. Its Ka-band HTS capacity will serve Telesat customers operating in Northern Canada, the Caribbean, the North Atlantic Ocean, and South America. Additional Ku-band HTS spot beams will serve growing South American markets in Brazil and the Andean region. Telstar 19 VANTAGE will also bring new Ku-band broadbeam capacity over the North Atlantic Ocean enhancing Telesat’s coverage of this important mobility market. Telstar 18 VANTAGETelstar 18 VANTAGE, the third HTS in Telesat’s global fleet, will be located at 138 degrees East, an ideal position for connecting Asia to the Americas. It will replace and expand on the capabilities of Telesat’s Telstar 18 satellite through its extensive C-band coverage of Asia, its Ku-band HTS spot beams over Indonesia and Malaysia, and its six additional Ku-band regional beams. These high performance beams will enable Telstar 18 VANTAGE to meet growing demand for mobility, enterprise networks and telecom services across the Asia region. As previously announced, Telesat has partnered with APT Satellite of Hong Kong in the design and procurement of this spacecraft, which APT calls Apstar-5C. “Telesat has worked closely with SSL and the Maxar family of companies for many years and we are pleased to have collaborated with them on our newest Telstar VANTAGE high throughput satellites,” said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. “These state-of-the-art spacecraft are going to provide important competitive advantages for our customers across the Americas and Asia. It’s great news that Telstar 19 VANTAGE is now at the launch base and that Telstar 18 VANTAGE is nearly finished and in the queue to ship.”Merah PutihMerah Putih, a name which represents the red and white of the Indonesian flag, will be integrated into Telkom’s greater telecommunications network to provide service throughout the 17 thousand islands of the Indonesian archipelago, as well as India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. Satellite forms the telecommunications backbone that connects Indonesia, along with other technologies, such as submarine cable.Merah Putih, which was completed ahead of schedule, will replace Telkom-1, at 108 degrees East, where it will expand on Telkom’s coverage to serve new markets. Its all C-band payload will enhance both internet and telephone service for populations in remote regions and offload backhaul for cellular service.“Satellite plays a vital role in our telecommunications infrastructure,” said Mr. Mr. Zulhelfi Abidin, Chief Technology Officer of Telkom. “SSL has been an excellent spacecraft supplier and has completed the satellite construction ahead of schedule. We look forward to traveling to Florida to see the satellite launch later this summer.”
HAWTHORNE, Calif. – June 29, 2018. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's Merah Putih (Telkom 4) mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than August. A Falcon 9 rocket will deliver Merah Putih to a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
Given the current capabilities of the Eastern Range, safety procedures, etc., what's the minimum amount of time allowed between a launch of a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 and a Delta-IV (Heavy) from SLC-37?
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 06/30/2018 03:15 amGiven the current capabilities of the Eastern Range, safety procedures, etc., what's the minimum amount of time allowed between a launch of a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 and a Delta-IV (Heavy) from SLC-37?Range-wise, CCAFS was unwilling to do a SpaceX and ULA launch within 24 hours of each other. Maybe that's changed, but it's a good baseline.
The question is if Merah Putih doesn’t get off the ground by 8/4 does SpaceX have to stand down and PSP get Range priority?
Quote from: High Bay 4 on 06/30/2018 01:54 pmThe question is if Merah Putih doesn’t get off the ground by 8/4 does SpaceX have to stand down and PSP get Range priority?I would say PSP get priority as they would have booked that date first, also it is more launch window sensitive than Merah Putih.
The post previous to yours is titled “August 2018” and you changed it to “August 2, 2018”. Where did we learn of the specific day?Was that from Ben Cooper (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43418.msg1834312#msg1834312)?
Quote from: Comga on 06/30/2018 04:58 pmThe post previous to yours is titled “August 2018” and you changed it to “August 2, 2018”. Where did we learn of the specific day?Was that from Ben Cooper (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43418.msg1834312#msg1834312)?I changed it, based on Ben Cooper's information (which publicly confirmed other sources of information).
Any idea what booster this could go on?
Quote from: Ragmar on 07/19/2018 02:57 pmAny idea what booster this could go on?At this moment all seems to indicate that this one will fly on 1049. This coreLikely will hit the road as soon as 1047 successfully launches.
To follow-up on the PSP launch window:PSP has a limited planetary launch window, to make its first delta-V flyby (of seven) of Venus. According to the PSP project web site, http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/ , that window is July 31-August 19. Launch was delayed from July 31 to August 4.
"The Red and White Satellite has been completed on June 25 and has been shipped from SSL in San Francisco to Cape Canaveral in Florida," said Hendra Gunawan, Coordinator of the Red and White Satellite Project at Telkom Tower, Jakarta. Satellite shipments from the plant are done by land using trucks through 10 cities in the United States, as San Francisco and Florida are end-to-end. ...If there is no cross, the launch schedule of the Red and White Satellite is on August 4th. Then arrive at the orbit slot 108 degrees east longitude on August 15, 2018....The total weight is 5.8 tons where 3.8 tons of it is fuel.
Article today from Indonesian source:https://inet.detik.com/telecommunication/d-4129149/satelit-merah-putih-segera-meroket-bareng-spacexQuote"The Red and White Satellite has been completed on June 25 and has been shipped from SSL in San Francisco to Cape Canaveral in Florida," said Hendra Gunawan, Coordinator of the Red and White Satellite Project at Telkom Tower, Jakarta. Satellite shipments from the plant are done by land using trucks through 10 cities in the United States, as San Francisco and Florida are end-to-end. ...If there is no cross, the launch schedule of the Red and White Satellite is on August 4th. Then arrive at the orbit slot 108 degrees east longitude on August 15, 2018....The total weight is 5.8 tons where 3.8 tons of it is fuel.They may be reporting the launch date in their local time, which makes it hard to determine exactly what that would mean (although it's hard to turn Aug. 4 into Aug. 2 even with an 11 hour time difference across the date line.)
"So at 5.8 tons (metric tons, presumably), this is another satellite that is above SpaceX's advertised 5.5 t to GTO. Any news on the target orbit? Another subsync insertion, or does Block 5 have the legs to put this to GTO-1800 or better and still land the booster?"
I'll put in a GTO-1925 subsync guess as to where this one ends up in orbit... SSL has got this - build it to fit ASDS F9 for lowest cost to orbit - thing down... And SpaceX is not going to push the landing margin too tight, in my opinion...
After reading through the information is was surprised that the Merah Putih satellite was all C-Band. Isn't C-Band most being phased out?
Quote from: cbarnes199 on 07/23/2018 07:05 pmAfter reading through the information is was surprised that the Merah Putih satellite was all C-Band. Isn't C-Band most being phased out? As a satcom professional: GROOOANNNNNThe FCC is trying to steal some of the C-band spectrum that has been used by satellite operators for literally half a century. Perhaps they would like you to think it is being phased out! The satellite industry has responded with a compromise proposal.As rahmandwi said, indeed C-band is much better at drillling through atmospheric moisture. Lower frequencies go through things better than high frequencies, so C-band goes through moisture better than Ku-band, just like FM radio signals go right though walls but GPS signals don't so much.Besides southeast Asia, C-band is also heavily used in Latin America. In fact, LatAm also uses circular polarization for some links, unlike the linear polarization used pretty much everywhere else, because it also survives the rain better.Turn on your TV and go to the regular channels (what we call "linear television"). Flip through the channels. Literally every single one is delivered by C-band satellite. It's the bedrock of TV distribution. And yes, you millennial whippersnappers, loads of people still watch linear TV ...
"So at 5.8 tons (metric tons, presumably), this is another satellite that is above SpaceX's advertised 5.5 t to GTO. Any news on the target orbit? Another subsync insertion, or does Block 5 have the legs to put this to GTO-1800 or better and still land the booster?"Seems to me, the capability must be there. Even if they have to use the far downrange barge recovery, as they used the other night when they lofted a much heavier load. JRTI has left port for positioning in the Atlantic. As far as I know, they don't plan on expending any Block 5's. So every flight should have enough extra fuel to land the booster......somewhere
So at 5.8 tons (metric tons, presumably), this is another satellite that is above SpaceX's advertised 5.5 t to GTO. Any news on the target orbit? Another subsync insertion, or does Block 5 have the legs to put this to GTO-1800 or better and still land the booster?
The subjective information is driving around the US seeing little ku-band antennas everywhere and only seeing a few c-band antennas not rusting and pointed at the ground.
Busy August ahead: Launch hazard area issued for upcoming #SpaceX Telkom-4 (Merah Putih) launch from CCAFS. In effect from 2315 ET on 8/3 until 0315 ET on 8/4 (0315 to 0715 UTC). ASDS landing.NASA+ULA, meanwhile, still targeting Parker Solar Probe for 8/6 [now 8/11] on Delta IV Heavy.
QuoteBusy August ahead: Launch hazard area issued for upcoming #SpaceX Telkom-4 (Merah Putih) launch from CCAFS. In effect from 2315 ET on 8/3 until 0315 ET on 8/4 (0315 to 0715 UTC). ASDS landing.NASA+ULA, meanwhile, still targeting Parker Solar Probe for 8/6 [now 11/6] on Delta IV Heavy.https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1021832566209433605
Busy August ahead: Launch hazard area issued for upcoming #SpaceX Telkom-4 (Merah Putih) launch from CCAFS. In effect from 2315 ET on 8/3 until 0315 ET on 8/4 (0315 to 0715 UTC). ASDS landing.NASA+ULA, meanwhile, still targeting Parker Solar Probe for 8/6 [now 11/6] on Delta IV Heavy.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/24/2018 10:06 pmQuoteBusy August ahead: Launch hazard area issued for upcoming #SpaceX Telkom-4 (Merah Putih) launch from CCAFS. In effect from 2315 ET on 8/3 until 0315 ET on 8/4 (0315 to 0715 UTC). ASDS landing.NASA+ULA, meanwhile, still targeting Parker Solar Probe for 8/6 [now 11/6] on Delta IV Heavy.https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1021832566209433605Should be 8/11 for PSP, not 11/6.
I believe this is an example of what ChrisC is talking about - I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong - these teleports are quite common in Los Angeles... This one is across the street from Sony Picture Studios.
Excuse me for asking, but is there any news about fairing recovery on the next flight (the Merah Putih launch)?
This Launch will reuse the first block 5 B1046 According to Teslarati so not a new booster as previously thought.https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-first-falcon-9-block-5-reuse-drone-ship-turnaround-record/
Quote from: mazen hesham on 07/27/2018 06:42 pmThis Launch will reuse the first block 5 B1046 According to Teslarati so not a new booster as previously thought.https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-first-falcon-9-block-5-reuse-drone-ship-turnaround-record/If Merah Putih launches on time, the turnaround time between this mission and Bangabandhu 1 will be 84 days, 9 hours, and 5 minutes.The record currently stands with Core B1045: 71 days, 10 hours, and 51 minutes.
Booster for this mission will be B1046...
That would be nice, but isn’t B1049 here at the Cape, too? Wondering how seeing it going toward SLc-40 means it is being used for Telkom-4 in just over a week?
Quote from: ChrisGebhardt on 07/27/2018 09:51 pmThat would be nice, but isn’t B1049 here at the Cape, too? Wondering how seeing it going toward SLc-40 means it is being used for Telkom-4 in just over a week?The article says a sooty B5 booster was spotted traveling through CCAFS. If so, then the only booster that could be is 1046.
And I think more than one booster can fit in the HIF at LC-40.
To lay out the foundation of this claim, it’s known that SpaceX’s CCAFS Pad 40 integration facilities are only capable of fitting one booster and the strongback (transporter/erector/launcher, TEL) at a time, evidenced both by sourced comments and views inside the hangar.
They have also reportedly done pretty extensive inspection of 1046, more perhaps than even a refurbished block 4 might get, as part of testing how the block 5 modifications performed.
I understand that. But that’s not what I was saying. I was saying that the article says that because B1046 is going to the HIF, it must be for Telkom-4. But B1049 is also at the Cape. So I’m wondering why it isn’t for Telkom? Getting legs onto B-1046 and hauling it to pad for static fire in time seems mighty tight.
Took a look at a few pictures of SLC-40's hangar. Doesn't look like you could fit more than one core in there. I understand why Teslarati is making this assumption.https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30700.msg1019166#msg1019166
If correct, am I right in saying that this flight wouldn't count towards the "7 flights without a significant design change" for 1st crew? It has the old pressure vessels yeah?
Based on discussion at the ASAP meeting this week it isn't clear whether or not the Merlin 1D Block 5 engine design will be frozen yet. It hasn't made it through qualification yet and may need more tweaks.
Quote from: glanmor05 on 07/28/2018 08:19 amIf correct, am I right in saying that this flight wouldn't count towards the "7 flights without a significant design change" for 1st crew? It has the old pressure vessels yeah?Correct, DM-1 will have the first locked design and start the 7 flights including in- fight abort.
Quote from: gongora on 07/28/2018 07:39 pmBased on discussion at the ASAP meeting this week it isn't clear whether or not the Merlin 1D Block 5 engine design will be frozen yet. It hasn't made it through qualification yet and may need more tweaks.Does qualification for SpaceX include reuse? I could imagine them wanting to validate "rapid reusability" of the block 5 engine and making tweaks until that goal is met...
Quote from: Tomness on 07/28/2018 11:14 amQuote from: glanmor05 on 07/28/2018 08:19 amIf correct, am I right in saying that this flight wouldn't count towards the "7 flights without a significant design change" for 1st crew? It has the old pressure vessels yeah?Correct, DM-1 will have the first locked design and start the 7 flights including in- fight abort.Quote from: cscott on 07/29/2018 02:53 amQuote from: gongora on 07/28/2018 07:39 pmBased on discussion at the ASAP meeting this week it isn't clear whether or not the Merlin 1D Block 5 engine design will be frozen yet. It hasn't made it through qualification yet and may need more tweaks.Does qualification for SpaceX include reuse? I could imagine them wanting to validate "rapid reusability" of the block 5 engine and making tweaks until that goal is met...I'm reading that DM-1 may have to wait until the Merlin 1D block 5 engine can be "frozen" & they are sufficiently confident to "lock" the design.Hopefully they are close, but it could result in delays to DM-1.
Well, is this true?https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/1024353070921207809?s=09 Seems like a further delay
We have venting! Was taken an hour go, which is over normal load time, so it's possible a reload could have occurred.Also note (may be because of the venting) but I can't see any soot, we sure this is B1046.2?https://mobile.twitter.com/aWildLupiDragon/status/1025033454965145600/photo/1
William Graham's feature article!https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/08/spacex-falcon-9-merah-putih-block-5-reflight/
SpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 08/06/2018 07:58 pmSpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed KyleWhat are those markings on the middle of the core?!
Quote from: Jakusb on 08/06/2018 09:36 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 08/06/2018 07:58 pmSpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed KyleWhat are those markings on the middle of the core?!Ha. You beat me to it. :-) Just before I clicked to post the same question, I saw you had.Looks like surface cleaning, probably to mount new sensors... or to re-rivet some internal structure?
Quote from: freda on 08/06/2018 09:44 pmQuote from: Jakusb on 08/06/2018 09:36 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 08/06/2018 07:58 pmSpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed KyleWhat are those markings on the middle of the core?!Ha. You beat me to it. :-) Just before I clicked to post the same question, I saw you had.Looks like surface cleaning, probably to mount new sensors... or to re-rivet some internal structure?I rather doubt SpaceX is riveting internal components on a flown core. Rather, I suspect those marked up areas might be places where SpaceX did some down-to-the-metal surface cleaning to enable NDT (non-destructive testing) as part of their post-flight/pre-reflight evaluations of the new Block 5 cores.
Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 08/06/2018 10:08 pmQuote from: freda on 08/06/2018 09:44 pmQuote from: Jakusb on 08/06/2018 09:36 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 08/06/2018 07:58 pmSpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed KyleWhat are those markings on the middle of the core?!Ha. You beat me to it. :-) Just before I clicked to post the same question, I saw you had.Looks like surface cleaning, probably to mount new sensors... or to re-rivet some internal structure?I rather doubt SpaceX is riveting internal components on a flown core. Rather, I suspect those marked up areas might be places where SpaceX did some down-to-the-metal surface cleaning to enable NDT (non-destructive testing) as part of their post-flight/pre-reflight evaluations of the new Block 5 cores. Bingo.That's exactly what you'd expect to see. I bet we see the same markings in the same spot for this core until they establish data over multiple flights.
What were the sparks coming off the engine area after the re-entry burn (just before the camera stopped)?
Have we seen the drone ship camera look up and then pan down before? Neat shot.
Ablative thermal protection works by "burning off" the protective material, making the sparks you see. We've seen it on block 4; this is the first time on block 5, so it confirms that it's not all titanium heat shield newness, there's still some good old fashioned SPAM down there.There were some interesting blue plasmas which lasted quite a while, that was interesting to see. Blue is the color of ionized oxygen and violet is the color of ionized nitrogen; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionized-air_glow has some nice pictures. We don't see that in the daytime either.No heat glow on the grid fins, just intermittent indirect illumination.I wish they'd kept the camera on the descending first stage for longer. I thought I saw a nice aurora on the limb of the Earth in one shot...
Really liking the music playlist during this coast phase.Sounds like one of the songs got remixed with more instruments.
Two newly cataloged objects:2018-064A 2018-08-07 06:57 UTC - 193/29503km/27.06°2018-064B 2018-08-07 06:59 UTC - 181/29527km/27.04°
Quote from: Raul on 08/07/2018 07:54 amTwo newly cataloged objects:2018-064A 2018-08-07 06:57 UTC - 193/29503km/27.06°2018-064B 2018-08-07 06:59 UTC - 181/29527km/27.04°I get a delta-V of 1923.3 m/s to reach GEO.Enter initial perigee height (km): 193Enter initial apogee height (km): 29503Enter required inclination change (deg): 27.06theta1 = 0.08 deg, dv1 = 119.7 m/stheta2 = 26.98 deg, dv2 = 1803.6 m/sdv = 1923.3 m/s
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 08/06/2018 11:00 pmQuote from: Herb Schaltegger on 08/06/2018 10:08 pmQuote from: freda on 08/06/2018 09:44 pmQuote from: Jakusb on 08/06/2018 09:36 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 08/06/2018 07:58 pmSpaceX image of F9-61 on the pad. - Ed KyleWhat are those markings on the middle of the core?!Ha. You beat me to it. :-) Just before I clicked to post the same question, I saw you had.Looks like surface cleaning, probably to mount new sensors... or to re-rivet some internal structure?I rather doubt SpaceX is riveting internal components on a flown core. Rather, I suspect those marked up areas might be places where SpaceX did some down-to-the-metal surface cleaning to enable NDT (non-destructive testing) as part of their post-flight/pre-reflight evaluations of the new Block 5 cores. Bingo.That's exactly what you'd expect to see. I bet we see the same markings in the same spot for this core until they establish data over multiple flights.I'm just the Messenger....Chris Bergin may have figured this out. Check his Twitter page......and look at this https://www.omniglot.com/conscripts/marain.htmIt's just such a Musk-ish thing to do .....and Elon is a big fan of Lain M Banks Culture Series
The big question now, is when is this booster going to get flight number 3...
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 08/07/2018 07:58 amQuote from: Raul on 08/07/2018 07:54 amTwo newly cataloged objects:2018-064A 2018-08-07 06:57 UTC - 193/29503km/27.06°2018-064B 2018-08-07 06:59 UTC - 181/29527km/27.04°I get a delta-V of 1923.3 m/s to reach GEO.Enter initial perigee height (km): 193Enter initial apogee height (km): 29503Enter required inclination change (deg): 27.06theta1 = 0.08 deg, dv1 = 119.7 m/stheta2 = 26.98 deg, dv2 = 1803.6 m/sdv = 1923.3 m/sI get almost identical numbers
Quote from: soltasto on 08/07/2018 09:38 amQuote from: Steven Pietrobon on 08/07/2018 07:58 amQuote from: Raul on 08/07/2018 07:54 amTwo newly cataloged objects:2018-064A 2018-08-07 06:57 UTC - 193/29503km/27.06°2018-064B 2018-08-07 06:59 UTC - 181/29527km/27.04°I get a delta-V of 1923.3 m/s to reach GEO.Enter initial perigee height (km): 193Enter initial apogee height (km): 29503Enter required inclination change (deg): 27.06theta1 = 0.08 deg, dv1 = 119.7 m/stheta2 = 26.98 deg, dv2 = 1803.6 m/sdv = 1923.3 m/sI get almost identical numbers Quote from: John Alan on 07/23/2018 10:21 pmI'll put in a GTO-1925 subsync guess as to where this one ends up in orbit... SSL has got this - build it to fit ASDS F9 for lowest cost to orbit - thing down... And SpaceX is not going to push the landing margin too tight, in my opinion...
Anyone know why they took the legs off? Block 5 was supposed to be a "stow and go" landing leg configuration?
Quote from: DeanG1967 on 08/14/2018 11:37 amAnyone know why they took the legs off? Block 5 was supposed to be a "stow and go" landing leg configuration?Last time they tested folding one leg and gained valuable new info on what to improve to make it really work.They then lowered that leg and removed them all. Since they removed them from 2 later launches. Clearly the improvements have not found their way to an launched core yet.a little more patients is required...
Quote from: Jakusb on 08/14/2018 12:29 pmQuote from: DeanG1967 on 08/14/2018 11:37 amAnyone know why they took the legs off? Block 5 was supposed to be a "stow and go" landing leg configuration?Last time they tested folding one leg and gained valuable new info on what to improve to make it really work.They then lowered that leg and removed them all. Since they removed them from 2 later launches. Clearly the improvements have not found their way to an launched core yet.a little more patients is required... Let's be honest, that's what all the previous block versions were for.
This is the first time they've ever attempted to fold the legs up post flight and landing. How do you imagine they were going to be testing that on previous blocks which didn't include the new leg design? I'm sure they'd already practiced with mock-ups and test articles, but none of those had actually experienced flight yet. So, if they've found out that reality doesn't quite match their predictions, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there may yet be minor modifications needed to fully implement the change.
Maybe. Or maybe their stage transporter is not designed to handle the legs still attached.
Quote from: Semmel on 08/15/2018 09:29 amMaybe. Or maybe their stage transporter is not designed to handle the legs still attached.It looks as if it can handle a stage with folded legs.
Quote from: vanoord on 08/16/2018 09:09 amQuote from: Semmel on 08/15/2018 09:29 amMaybe. Or maybe their stage transporter is not designed to handle the legs still attached.It looks as if it can handle a stage with folded legs.It can and has already.
Quote from: stcks on 08/16/2018 12:14 pmQuote from: vanoord on 08/16/2018 09:09 amQuote from: Semmel on 08/15/2018 09:29 amMaybe. Or maybe their stage transporter is not designed to handle the legs still attached.It looks as if it can handle a stage with folded legs.It can and has already.Can you point me to a picture where it shows the transport of a F9 first stage with legs attached? I am not aware of any such case. And I dont mean the TEL.
Quote from: Semmel on 08/17/2018 07:28 amCan you point me to a picture where it shows the transport of a F9 first stage with legs attached? I am not aware of any such case. And I dont mean the TEL.No can do sorry. You'll just have trust me. It was the transporter and there was a leg attached.
Can you point me to a picture where it shows the transport of a F9 first stage with legs attached? I am not aware of any such case. And I dont mean the TEL.