Author Topic: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION  (Read 459750 times)

Offline Skyrocket

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #220 on: 03/03/2018 09:51 am »
There were some mentions about an ISAT demonstrator as part of the STP-2 mission. But now I can't find any information about it. So are they still going to launch the ISAT on FH?

AFAIK, ISAT is pretty dead since many years (i think, i need to update my website on ISAT).

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #221 on: 03/03/2018 09:43 pm »
I started trying to cross-reference the payloads mentioned in the recent Spaceflight Now article with Gunter's site, need to look at this more later.

[Spaceflight Now] Rideshare mission for U.S. military confirmed as second Falcon Heavy launch
Quote
Known as the Space Test Program-2, or STP-2, mission, the Falcon Heavy launch will launch with 25 spacecraft inside its nose cone, according to a spokesperson from the U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center.
...
Most of the STP-2 payloads will go into circular low-altitude orbits around 447 miles (720 kilometers) above Earth, inclined 24 degrees to the equator. Then the Falcon Heavy will boost the DSX satellite into an unusual elliptical orbit ranging in altitude between 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) and 7,456 miles (12,000 kilometers), with a ground track shifting between 43 degrees north and south of the equator.

6x COSMIC-2/Formosat 7
DSX (600kg)
NASA GPIM
Orbital Test Bed (includes atomic clock)
Prox 1 + Lightsail 2
USAF Academy FalconSat 7 (3U CubeSat)
Naval Postgraduate School NPSat 1 (86kg)
Naval Research Laboratory TEPCE 1,2 (2x1.5U Cubesat)
UT Austin ARMADILLO (3U CubeSat)
Michigan Tech Oculus-ASR (70kg)
Cal Poly / Merritt Island High School LEO/CP 9 (2U CubeSat) and StangSat (1U CubeSat)
----
US Naval Academy BRICSat 2 (1.5U CubeSat)
US Naval Academy PSat 2 (1.5U CubeSat, Gunter's site)
TBEx (2x 3U CubeSats)
« Last Edit: 04/17/2019 01:54 am by gongora »

Offline OnWithTheShow

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #222 on: 03/04/2018 04:54 am »
A Celestis space burial mission will also fly on this mission.

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #223 on: 03/04/2018 05:03 am »
A Celestis space burial mission will also fly on this mission.

Do the you know the mission or name for this Celestis payload?
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Offline Skyrocket

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #224 on: 03/04/2018 08:54 am »
A Celestis space burial mission will also fly on this mission.

Do the you know the mission or name for this Celestis payload?

It is called "Heritage Flight". The Celestis capsule is integrated into the OTB satellite.
« Last Edit: 03/04/2018 09:26 am by Skyrocket »

Offline Nehkara

Is there any confirmation that SpaceX has been cleared by the Air Force to use flight-proven side boosters on this mission?

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #226 on: 03/09/2018 08:41 pm »
Is there any confirmation that SpaceX has been cleared by the Air Force to use flight-proven side boosters on this mission?
It is previously stated that the next launch which is now this flight will use all block-5 cores which in earlier announcement were to be all new. I have not come across anything different information wise.

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #227 on: 03/09/2018 10:15 pm »
Is there any confirmation that SpaceX has been cleared by the Air Force to use flight-proven side boosters on this mission?
It is previously stated that the next launch which is now this flight will use all block-5 cores which in earlier announcement were to be all new. I have not come across anything different information wise.

I know the center core will be a new Block 5 as it has to be custom-built for FH.  Where's the link to the announcement that both side cores (regular F9 Block 5s with nose cones instead of interstages) are going to be new Block 5s for this mission?
« Last Edit: 03/09/2018 10:17 pm by ChrisGebhardt »

Offline Kansan52

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #228 on: 03/09/2018 10:34 pm »
CG, going from other posts that reported after the first mixmaster FH launch, all FH would be constructed using Block 5.

But nothing has stated the side F9s would be new. I inferred there would not be any flight proven Block 5 available for the next FH. Just to little time.

Still, the SX tempo could mean flight proven Block 5s could be available.

Fun to watch!

Offline Star One

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #229 on: 03/10/2018 09:30 am »
Is there any confirmation that SpaceX has been cleared by the Air Force to use flight-proven side boosters on this mission?
It is previously stated that the next launch which is now this flight will use all block-5 cores which in earlier announcement were to be all new. I have not come across anything different information wise.

I know the center core will be a new Block 5 as it has to be custom-built for FH.  Where's the link to the announcement that both side cores (regular F9 Block 5s with nose cones instead of interstages) are going to be new Block 5s for this mission?

I believe Elon also stated it a couple of times in interviews around the demo flight of the FH.

Here’s one example.

https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/09/spacex-aims-to-make-history-3-more-times-in-2018/
« Last Edit: 03/10/2018 09:36 am by Star One »

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #230 on: 03/10/2018 09:35 am »
CG, going from other posts that reported after the first mixmaster FH launch, all FH would be constructed using Block 5.

But nothing has stated the side F9s would be new. I inferred there would not be any flight proven Block 5 available for the next FH. Just to little time.

Still, the SX tempo could mean flight proven Block 5s could be available.

Fun to watch!

Gotcha.  Could be wrong, but I would imagine that the first Block 5 would be available.  If it flies around 5 April as intended, that would that would be 2.5 month before the FH-2 flight.  If they're serious about rapid reuse, that core should be available.

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #231 on: 03/10/2018 02:08 pm »
CG, going from other posts that reported after the first mixmaster FH launch, all FH would be constructed using Block 5.

But nothing has stated the side F9s would be new. I inferred there would not be any flight proven Block 5 available for the next FH. Just to little time.

Still, the SX tempo could mean flight proven Block 5s could be available.

Fun to watch!

Gotcha.  Could be wrong, but I would imagine that the first Block 5 would be available.  If it flies around 5 April as intended, that would that would be 2.5 month before the FH-2 flight.  If they're serious about rapid reuse, that core should be available.

It really comes down to what the customer wants them to demonstrate.  It's an Air Force launch, and I doubt they put in any language allowing reused boosters when they signed the contract 5 years ago.  Maybe the Air Force would be willing to try it on a test launch like this but that would have to be negotiated.  SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Offline jpo234

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #232 on: 03/10/2018 03:15 pm »
SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Is it enough if the contract doesn't forbid it?
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Offline Nomadd

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #233 on: 03/10/2018 04:15 pm »
SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Is it enough if the contract doesn't forbid it?
"That which is not expressly forbidden is allowed?" or "That which is not expressly allowed is forbidden?"
 The basic SX contract could be written for used with the option to request new or the other way around.
 I would imagine the former.
« Last Edit: 03/10/2018 04:15 pm by Nomadd »
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Offline Michael Baylor

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #234 on: 03/10/2018 06:31 pm »
To settle the above discussion, all cores on this FH mission will be Block V.

Ok, my bad. This doesn't settle the above discussion, but here's the most detailed response that Elon has given up regarding the side cores.
« Last Edit: 03/10/2018 10:43 pm by Michael Baylor »

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #235 on: 03/10/2018 08:41 pm »
To settle the above discussion, all cores on this FH mission will be Block V.

We've known that for months, it doesn't settle anything.

Offline Michael Baylor

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #236 on: 03/10/2018 10:41 pm »
To settle the above discussion, all cores on this FH mission will be Block V.

We've known that for months, it doesn't settle anything.
Yeah, my bad. I missed the part about this being specific to new Block V side cores.

Nothing has been settled.  :(

Offline Mader Levap

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #237 on: 03/12/2018 02:01 pm »
SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Is it enough if the contract doesn't forbid it?
It would not be enough, but I am very sure they all have in contracts something about reuse (even if it amounts to "[BLEEEP] NO"). It is not like SpaceX's reuse ambitions were secret.
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Offline Nehkara

SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Is it enough if the contract doesn't forbid it?
It would not be enough, but I am very sure they all have in contracts something about reuse (even if it amounts to "[BLEEEP] NO"). It is not like SpaceX's reuse ambitions were secret.

STP-2 was awarded in 2012.  It's possible there is nothing in the contract about re-use.

http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-awarded-two-eelv-class-missions-united-states-air-force

Offline envy887

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Re: SpaceX FH: STP-2 : LC-39A : June 25, 2019 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #239 on: 03/12/2018 02:15 pm »
SpaceX can't just stick a used booster on a flight unless the contract allows it.

Is it enough if the contract doesn't forbid it?
It would not be enough, but I am very sure they all have in contracts something about reuse (even if it amounts to "[BLEEEP] NO"). It is not like SpaceX's reuse ambitions were secret.

STP-2 was awarded in 2012.  It's possible there is nothing in the contract about re-use.

http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-awarded-two-eelv-class-missions-united-states-air-force

The USAF has a whole boatload of qualification requirements that assume a new booster. As I understand it, those would be very difficult to meet with a used booster because the process is not designed to qualify a used booster.

Tags: Falcon Heavy SpaceX 
 

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