The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft completed what may have been its final end-to-end systems test today here at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo...LightSail 2 is nearly ready to be integrated with its P-POD, the spring-loaded box that will carry it to space. After integration takes place, the loaded P-POD will be shipped to the Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Shipping may occur in January. At AFRL, LightSail's P-POD will be installed inside Prox-1, a Georgia Tech-built SmallSat that will hitch a ride to orbit aboard the second flight of SpaceX's new Falcon Heavy rocket.
In talk on COSMIC-2, NOAA says Falcon Heavy demo launch scheduled for 2nd Q; STP-2 mission (with COSMIC-2) planned for Sept. 30. #AMS2017
https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/824371954559836160QuoteIn talk on COSMIC-2, NOAA says Falcon Heavy demo launch scheduled for 2nd Q; STP-2 mission (with COSMIC-2) planned for Sept. 30. #AMS2017
Quote from Shotwell at Satelite 2017 on March 8th:Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-40 should be operational again this summer.
Quote from: Jim_LAX on 03/10/2017 04:11 pmQuote from Shotwell at Satelite 2017 on March 8th:Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-40 should be operational again this summer.....After that, SpaceX will need at least 60 days to modify the current LC-39A reaction frame to host the additional TSM's and holddown posts needed for FH. That period is also from public SpaceX statements.So, assuming LC-40 is back in action this August, and assuming the 60-day modification period goes off without a hitch, ....
Quote from: woods170 on 03/10/2017 08:19 pmQuote from: Jim_LAX on 03/10/2017 04:11 pmQuote from Shotwell at Satelite 2017 on March 8th:Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-40 should be operational again this summer.....After that, SpaceX will need at least 60 days to modify the current LC-39A reaction frame to host the additional TSM's and holddown posts needed for FH. That period is also from public SpaceX statements.So, assuming LC-40 is back in action this August, and assuming the 60-day modification period goes off without a hitch, ....Do you have some references for that statement?
It was also noted that SpaceX is working a plan that involves returning operations to SLC-40 before then working on 39A to prepare it for the maiden launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket.This work will take “at least 60 days” to complete, focusing on the 39A TEL table – which is currently specific to the single core Falcon 9 – and Tail Service Masts (TSM).
...So, assuming LC-40 is back in action this August, and assuming the 60-day modification period goes off without a hitch, it will be NET november 2018 for first FH launch attempt. But that is assuming that the notorious SpaceX time dilation factor does not rear it's ugly head. ...
Quote from: woods170 on 03/10/2017 08:19 pm...So, assuming LC-40 is back in action this August, and assuming the 60-day modification period goes off without a hitch, it will be NET november 2018 for first FH launch attempt. But that is assuming that the notorious SpaceX time dilation factor does not rear it's ugly head. ...One would have to look hard to find a time dilation factor as bad as yours. "this August" + 60 days == NET November 2018?
What is the purpose of the 5 tonnes of ballast on this mission? Is it simply to ensure that FH is capable of meeting the EELV New Entrant specifications?
I'm not going to believe any dates on this one yet, let's see how the first couple flights go.