Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 5 : March 30, 2018 : Vandenberg - UPDATES  (Read 86002 times)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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More great shots by Pauline Acalin

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What an absolutely beautiful launch at Vandenberg this morning. Congratulations to SpaceX on another successful mission accomplished! #SpaceX #Iridium5 @Teslarati

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/979776492602253312

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« Last Edit: 03/30/2018 08:57 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

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More SpaceX launch photos

Offline envy887

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NOAA backs up SpaceX's claim from this morning

https://twitter.com/lorengrush/status/979819143233974274

Edit to add: link to NOAA press release

http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-statement-on-todays-broadcast-of-spacex-iridium-5-launch

The NOAA ACRESS panel, which deals with this regulation, is meeting on April 3rd, 2018 in Silver Spring, MD. Meeting should be open to public comment, I think.

https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/accresMeetings.html

Offline deruch

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NOAA backs up SpaceX's claim from this morning

https://twitter.com/lorengrush/status/979819143233974274

Edit to add: link to NOAA press release

http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-statement-on-todays-broadcast-of-spacex-iridium-5-launch

The NOAA ACRESS panel, which deals with this regulation, is meeting on April 3rd, 2018 in Silver Spring, MD. Meeting should be open to public comment, I think.

https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/accresMeetings.html

Yes, open to the public but the RSVP deadline (March 27th) has already passed, so anyone suddenly interested in attending may not be able.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/03/16/2018-05360/meeting-of-the-advisory-committee-on-commercial-remote-sensing

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The meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Section 10(a)(1) of the FACA. During the meeting, the Committee will receive updates on NOAA's Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs activities and discuss updates to the commercial remote sensing regulatory regime. The Committee will also discuss updates in the regulations and new technological activities in space. The Committee will be available to receive public comments on its activities.

Any member of the public who plans to attend the open meeting should RSVP to Samira Patel at (301) 713-7077, or [email protected] by March 27, 2018. Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the meeting or who wishes to submit oral or written comments should contact Tahara Dawkins, Designated Federal Officer for ACCRES, NOAA/NESDIS/CRSRA, 1335 East West Highway, G-101, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; (301) 713-3385 or [email protected]. Copies of the draft meeting agenda can be obtained from Samira Patel at (301) 713-7077, or [email protected].

ACCRES expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously-submitted oral or written statements. In general, each individual or group making an oral presentation may be limited to a total time of five minutes.  Written comments sent to NOAA/NESDIS/CRSRA on or before March 27, 2018 will be provided to Committee members in advance of the meeting. Comments received too close to the meeting date will normally be provided to Committee members at the meeting.


But, don't worry too much.  I'm sure this will get taken care of by the involved parties very quickly.  Most likely reason for SpaceX not to have a license already is that the restriction was recently imposed for the first time and they didn't have enough time to get a blanket license for their launches before this one went up.  A bit of added bureaucratic hassle, but hopefully not a lasting one.
« Last Edit: 03/30/2018 09:54 pm by deruch »
Shouldn't reality posts be in "Advanced concepts"?  --Nomadd

Offline Lewis007

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Launch pics posted by VAFB

Offline GWR64

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10 satellites 2018-030A - J with similar orbits:

2018-030A : 607 x 627 km x 86,68 deg
RAAN is 104,2 deg , that is currently Iridium-Plane 1 (Iridium 64 .....)

Congratulations to Spacex and Iridium!
« Last Edit: 03/31/2018 09:55 am by GWR64 »

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Another fab shot:

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That foggy ocean... here is my 2nd remote cam shot from the Iridium-5 launch at Vandenberg yesterday. #spacex @Teslarati

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/980074403495952384

Offline vaporcobra

I did not expect this - Iridium-5's fairing half rolled into Port of San Pedro before dawn this morning, by all appearances intact. Elon had me assuming it had been smashed to pieces on the ocean surface ;D Direct all thanks to Pauline Acalin for heading down to the port before dawn on a Saturday :D
« Last Edit: 04/01/2018 02:10 am by vaporcobra »

Offline vaporcobra

« Last Edit: 04/02/2018 03:56 am by vaporcobra »

Offline gwiz

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All satellites now identified, 2018-30A to J are Iridiums 148, 149, 157, 140, 145, 146, 144, 150, 142 and 143.

Online Chris Bergin

Iridium Presser:

Fifth Set of Iridium® NEXT Satellites Begin Pre-Operational Testing

 

MCLEAN, Va. – April 3, 2018 – Iridium Communications announced today that the fifth set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, launched Friday by SpaceX, are functioning nominally and have begun the testing and validation process. Not only did this fifth launch increase the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in space to 50, but it was also the second Iridium NEXT launch to use a flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.

“Once testing is complete, we will be just 25 Iridium NEXT satellites shy of completing this historic tech refresh. It’s inspiring to think about how we’re doing this for a second time and no one else has accomplished a feat of this magnitude in Space even once.” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer at Iridium. “I’m beyond proud of our team at the Satellite Network Operations Center, which has been operating like a well-oiled machine. Tests and diagnostics began just minutes after the new satellites deployed, and all systems are functioning nominally.”

The Iridium constellation is comprised of six polar orbiting planes, each containing 11 operational crosslinked satellites, for a total of 66 satellites in the active constellation.  This unique architecture creates a web of coverage around the earth, enabling Iridium to provide real-time communications over the oceans and from even the most remote locations.  Three more Iridium NEXT launches are scheduled for 2018, to bring Iridium’s total to 75 new satellites in orbit, including nine spares.

For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.
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SpaceX camera question: SpaceX application was received 4 days before launch, did not want to delay-- agreed to waive several reqs, but couldn't approve livestream in 3 days (Tahara Dawkins, NOAA)

https://twitter.com/theresejones0/status/981165377890717696

Offline tleski

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Dawkins: Previous SpaceX mission camera feeds weren't licensed, but SpaceX was the one who came to us and asked us for a license for Iridium launch

https://twitter.com/theresejones0/status/981166025918967808
« Last Edit: 04/03/2018 07:32 pm by tleski »

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I did not expect this - Iridium-5's fairing half rolled into Port of San Pedro before dawn this morning, by all appearances intact. Elon had me assuming it had been smashed to pieces on the ocean surface ;D Direct all thanks to Pauline Acalin for heading down to the port before dawn on a Saturday :D

Another amazing shot by Pauline Acalin:

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Mr Steven and a half-fairing after pulling into a foggy port. So menacing! #spacex #iridium5 #mrsteven

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/981032766996283392

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Some new quotes/info from NOAA:

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NOAA explains restriction on SpaceX launch webcast
by Jeff Foust — April 3, 2018

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A cutoff of live video on a recent SpaceX launch reflects new awareness by regulators of the imaging capabilities of onboard cameras on launch vehicles and requirements for companies to adhere to laws that some in the industry believe are outdated.

http://spacenews.com/noaa-explains-restriction-on-spacex-launch-webcast/

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Another great Pauline Acalin shot:

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Super crop of a remote photo from Iridium-5 last week. That thrust tail whip...  #SpaceX #Iridium5

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/981350041091637248

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Vandenberg pad still drenched about an hour after launch. I looove how the tilt-shift affect visually shrinks this monstrous structure into a little model-like setup.
#spacex #iridium5

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/983597694655475712

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SNOC Report: The first 2 #IridiumNEXT satellites from #Iridium5 have been activated and are carrying traffic, with the remaining eight planned for integration in the days ahead. All six orbital planes now have #Iridium NEXT SVs that are providing service!  #FridayFeeling

https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/987402225101213697

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