Author Topic: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017  (Read 95076 times)

Offline spacetraveler

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #260 on: 10/31/2017 11:18 pm »
Good to see this vehicle RTF successfully. Was wondering if it would ever fly again.

Maybe there will be other customers now.

Congrats Orbital ATK.
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 11:19 pm by spacetraveler »

Offline catdlr

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #261 on: 10/31/2017 11:35 pm »
Vandenberg AFB Launches a Minotaur-C Rocket

30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB
Published on Oct 31, 2017


The Orbital ATK Minotaur-C rocket, carrying 10 small satellites owned by Planet, launched from Space Launch Complex 576-E on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 2:37 p.m. PDT.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/562025/vandenberg-afb-launches-minotaur-c-rocket

YouTube Version:






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Offline ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #262 on: 10/31/2017 11:38 pm »
Launch with the oddly named stage 0 performing nominally.
I liked the explanation given during the webcast that on Minotaur-C, "Stage 0" is a replacement for L1011 Stargazer, since it is essentially a wingless Pegasus stacked on top!

 - Ed Kyle

The exception is that the "Stargazer" L-1011 drops Pegasus from an altitude of 40,000 feet (12.192 kilometers) while the second stage, or the first stage of the Pegasus stack, of the Minotaur-C ignites at an altitude of 161,417.3 feet (49.2 kilometers).

Plus, the "Stargazer" L-1011 is flying slower than the velocity at first/second stage sep for Minotaur-C.
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Offline Tomness

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #263 on: 11/01/2017 12:04 am »
First Taurus (Minotaur-C) success since May 20, 2004 - nearly 13.5 years ago!

I hope we see more, but I've noticed that Castor 120 production was listed as "inactive" in the 2016 OATK catalog.

 - Ed Kyle

re-purpose Antares second stages or its prof of concept for Minotaur V or restart product line... either way its all exciting.

Congratulations Orbital-ATK, Air Force, Planet for an awesome launch campaign.

Offline abaddon

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #264 on: 11/01/2017 12:04 am »
Congrats to OrbitalATK and Planet on the successful launch!  Great job keeping the streak of US successful launches this year alive.

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #265 on: 11/01/2017 12:15 am »
First Taurus (Minotaur-C) success since May 20, 2004 - nearly 13.5 years ago!

I hope we see more, but I've noticed that Castor 120 production was listed as "inactive" in the 2016 OATK catalog.

 - Ed Kyle
Castor-120 (standard) is replaced by its successor Castor-120XL which is listed as in production. Castor-120XLT and Castor-120XLG are proposed development projects that are on hold for now.

https://www.orbitalatk.com/flight-systems/propulsion-systems/castor-motors/

Quote
CASTOR® 120XL

This variant of the CASTOR 120® predecessor is used as a first or second stage in commercial launch vehicles and provides improved performance over the baseline configuration. A version of this motor was static tested for the U.S. Air Force as part of the Large Class Stage development program, however the motor is being updated to tailor burn rates and improve performance, as well as utilize common materials & processes to improve cost control for launch vehicle providers.
« Last Edit: 11/01/2017 12:50 am by russianhalo117 »

Offline Jdeshetler

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #266 on: 11/01/2017 12:22 am »
Finally got "All Clear" signal at 5pm to retrieve our remote cameras after they pull the bulldozer back from the site.

Looks like 1/2 acre has been burned between the Pad fence and our remote site, whew.

Last photo, the burned area is to the left of the pad. The gravel loop behind the burned area is where our remote cameras are set up at.
« Last Edit: 11/01/2017 12:24 am by Jdeshetler »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #267 on: 11/01/2017 12:47 am »
Congratulations to the entire launch campaign team!

Thank you to: Chris B, Steven P, ZachS09, Star One, abaddon, Dave S, and William Graham for the launch coverage.  I missed it today due to an long commute.
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Offline Lar

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #268 on: 11/01/2017 01:15 am »
Congrats to all involved, thanks for the efforts on covering things (great pics, helodriver) and glad your remote cams survived, jdeshetler!!!
« Last Edit: 11/01/2017 01:15 am by Lar »
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Offline Star One

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #269 on: 11/01/2017 05:51 am »
Congratulations to all concerned in this rather different launch experience. And thank you to all for answering my questions.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #270 on: 11/01/2017 06:01 am »
Quote
Orbital ATK Successfully Launches Minotaur C Rocket Carrying 10 Spacecraft to Orbit for Planet
Made in California – Spacecraft Manufacturing, Rocket Integration and Launch

Dulles, Virginia 31 October 2017 – Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced its commercial Minotaur C rocket successfully launched 10 commercial spacecraft into orbit for Planet. The Minotaur C launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

The rocket’s first stage ignited at 2:37 p.m. (PDT), and just over 12 minutes later, Planet’s six SkySat spacecraft began to deploy one at a time into their targeted sun synchronous orbit 310 miles (500 kilometers) above the Earth. Following deployment of the main satellites, Planet’s four secondary Dove spacecraft deployed. From this orbit, the Dove and SkySat network of remote sensing satellites will deliver a global information feed to businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world.

“It’s an honor to deliver reliable and affordable access to space for commercial customers like Planet,” said Rich Straka, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Launch Vehicles Division. “Launching small- and medium-class payloads on dedicated Orbital ATK launch vehicles gives commercial customers the ability to control their schedules while meeting challenging mission requirements.”

The Minotaur C rocket is an all-commercial vehicle capable of launching payloads up to 3,500 lbs. The configuration that launched today included four solid rocket commercial motors: CASTOR 120®, Orion 50S XL, Orion 50 XL and Orion 38. Orbital ATK manufactured all four motors at facilities in Clearfield, Magna and Promontory, Utah. The company manufactured the avionics, software and separation systems at facilities in Chandler, Arizona. Integration of the Minotaur C rocket took place at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Planet’s Dove and SkySat satellites, which are manufactured in California, are some of the most capable spacecraft per kilogram ever produced. A record-breaking 275 Dove satellites have been successfully deployed and operated in space and today collect more imagery per day than any other fleet of commercial satellites. The constellation of 13 SkySats is the world’s largest commercial, sub-meter fleet of high-res satellites operating in space.

https://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/release.asp?prid=299
« Last Edit: 11/01/2017 06:01 am by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline Jdeshetler

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #271 on: 11/01/2017 06:49 am »

Offline chewi

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #272 on: 11/01/2017 10:09 am »
Congrats Orbital ATK!

Is it the 10th launch of Minotaur-C (Taurus) ?

Offline Chris Bergin

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 November 1, 2017

Initial signals received from six small satellites built by SSL for Planet

PALO ALTO, Calif. - SSL, a business unit of Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR) announced today that six satellites it built for Planet’s SkySat Earth observation constellation launched yesterday and made initial contact with ground stations according to plan. The satellites were launched aboard a Minotaur-C rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, and will begin sending their first images early next week.

 “SSL takes an innovative approach to small satellite manufacturing, and leverages its agile commercial production capabilities to serve both communications and Earth observation markets,” said Dario Zamarian, group president of SSL. “It has been a pleasure for SSL to work with the Planet team, and to help support its growing capabilities. Congratulations to all who made the launch a success.”

 Called SkySat 8 through 13, the six satellites, which double Planet’s high resolution imaging and change detection capabilities, provide information that can simplify and speed critical decision-making processes for its customers. The SkySat constellation now includes ten satellites built at the SSL smallsat manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, Calif., where eight additional SkySats remain in production.

 “We were pleased to inherit a strong and reliable engineering and manufacturing partner when we acquired the SkySat business,” said Chester Gilmore, vice president of manufacturing at Planet.  “Working together, SSL has helped us to expand our fleet, increasing our ability to provide timely insights from any location in the world.”
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Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #274 on: 11/01/2017 01:35 pm »


Quote
Broadcast of Orbital ATK's Minotaur C Launch of Planet Satellites
Orbital ATK 73 views

Published on 1 Nov 2017
Orbital ATK successfully launched its Minotaur C rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on October 31 at 2:37 p.m. PDT. The space launch vehicle deployed six SkySat and four Dove spacecraft, which will capture medium and high resolution multispectral imagery of Earth at unprecedented scale and frequency for the commercial market.
« Last Edit: 11/01/2017 01:36 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline bolun

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #275 on: 11/01/2017 02:25 pm »
Congratulations to Orbital ATK. Back on business with Minotaur C / Taurus XL.

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Better launch image via. Planet, credited to Orbital ATK. 

Orbital itself still has only released a 700x1000 image.  I can't understand why they would hoard their pixels.

 - Ed Kyle

I suspect that the HR photos will end up at https://www.flickr.com/photos/orbital-atk/ - that was at least updated to the ORS-5 launch right now.
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Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #277 on: 11/01/2017 07:54 pm »
Here are Orbital photos from Flickr but still not hi-res

Offline Jdeshetler

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #278 on: 11/01/2017 11:22 pm »
Without the telemetry you are working completely in the dark.

And the chilled champagne is getting too warm...




Offline WindnWar

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #279 on: 11/02/2017 05:36 pm »
Not really sure if this belongs here or not but does anyone know how many Castor 120 stages are left, and if there aren't any, what sort of performance increase to Minotaur-C the Castor 120XL brings?

It was nice to see this fly successfully.

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