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Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => Rocket Lab => Topic started by: harry2680 on 08/24/2017 03:32 pm

Title: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: harry2680 on 08/24/2017 03:32 pm
Hi there, just making a thread for the next Electron rocket test flight, dubbed "Still Testing" by Rocket Lab.

They announced the new name and post flight analysis of the first launch on their website:
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/latest/rocket-lab-completes-post-flight-analysis/ (https://www.rocketlabusa.com/latest/rocket-lab-completes-post-flight-analysis/)

On their twitter they indicated they hoped to launch the next test flight around October:
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/894466730059104256

I haven't been able to found out if there are going to be any commercial satellites aboard but Spaceflightnow seems to indicate there might be:
Quote
Several commercial CubeSats are expected to be aboard the Electron’s second mission.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/



Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: jpo234 on 09/26/2017 03:07 pm
Rocket Lab's rocket is launching again soon — and this time it'll carry satellites to space (https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/26/16364632/rocket-lab-electron-rocket-second-test-flight-planet-spire-satellites)

Quote
The rocket will carry two of Planet’s Dove satellites, designed to image Earth, as well as two of Spire’s Lemur-2 satellites that track weather and ship traffic.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: harry2680 on 10/03/2017 09:15 am
Some more news on the Electron launch, I will update the title again.
NOTAM issued for October 20th to November 8th:

(https://i.redd.it/vdw4vivv7dpz.png)

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/73raw8/notam_issued_starting_october_20th_ending/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/73raw8/notam_issued_starting_october_20th_ending/)
Edit:
Adding link for the payload of four cubesats:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/rocket-labs-second-test-flight-in-a-few-weeks-will-carry-four-orbital-satellites.html
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: SmallKing on 10/03/2017 01:52 pm
Some more news on the Electron launch, I will update the title again.
NOTAM issued for October 20th to November 8th:

(https://i.redd.it/vdw4vivv7dpz.png)

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/73raw8/notam_issued_starting_october_20th_ending/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/73raw8/notam_issued_starting_october_20th_ending/)
Edit:
Adding link for the payload of four cubesats:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/rocket-labs-second-test-flight-in-a-few-weeks-will-carry-four-orbital-satellites.html
The NOTAM shows it's an SSO launch
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: SmallKing on 10/21/2017 02:04 pm
Looks like they are behind the schedule a lot...
Quote
Test flight 2, called Still Testing, is going out and we're about a month away from rolling that out to the pad
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/77ohp5/still_testing_launch_a_month_from_late_october/
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Mike Jones on 10/21/2017 05:11 pm
THat's already a great achievement if they manage to launch once successfully this year as this would position RocketLab as the leading microlauncher company. However they were supposed to launch at least 6 times in 2017 and delays are significant so I would not be surprise if most of their large manifest announced last year are already lost to rideshare launch service providers like Spaceflight and ISIS.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: whatever11235 on 10/21/2017 10:12 pm
Almost two months passed from stage 1 stack test ( https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/902713171407806464 ). I wonder what is keeping them from flying.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: saliva_sweet on 10/22/2017 07:35 am
I wonder what is keeping them from flying.

Implementation of lessons learned I would guess. One must remember that the first flight was a very good test and provided way more data and lessons than "enable FEC next time".
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Svetoslav on 10/22/2017 08:00 am
Launch gaps are quite reviled, not only in this discussion forum, but this is a characteristic of most spaceflight communities. Fans are impatient - that never changes.

I think that part of the current impatience trend is that we saw a lot of spaceflight companies emerging covering all kind of activities. They all conducted a lot of test flights last year and during the first half of 2017.

The problem is that literally all of the interesting companies we follow - Electron, Vector, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin are in a period of lull. Sure, they say they're implementing lessons from previous flights. But when it takes really that long - for example, month-long lull, people are wondering what's wrong.

I'd like to ask people who're in the field of building hardware here (after all, there are a lot of engineers here) to be patient with those of us who're impatient :) It's quite easy to assume that if the previous flight was successful, the next launch is imminent. I mean - some of us work in different branches of science, or a different area in general. I don't have any idea what it takes to implement flight lessons and what modifications are needed. In this case, I'm ignorant and I rely on experts who can explain to me wht's happening.


Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Sam Ho on 10/24/2017 06:34 pm
Press release from Alaska Aerospace seems to point to the December/January time frame:
Quote
AAC will also provide support for another Rocket Lab launch in New Zealand in December or January, and Campbell said he hopes the company will be ready to launch from Alaska in 2019.
http://akaerospace.com/news/commercial-rocket-launches-coming-kodiak-island
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: SmallKing on 11/03/2017 03:08 am
New NTOTAM issued for Dec. 7 to Feb. 28
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/79q8l8/new_dates_including_launch_debris_return_7th/
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Andy Bandy on 11/03/2017 08:33 pm
New NTOTAM issued for Dec. 7 to Feb. 28
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/79q8l8/new_dates_including_launch_debris_return_7th/

Do you know how you look the NOTAMs up?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: russianhalo117 on 11/03/2017 11:58 pm
New NTOTAM issued for Dec. 7 to Feb. 28
https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/79q8l8/new_dates_including_launch_debris_return_7th/

Do you know how you look the NOTAMs up?
Learning/Getting Started Method:
https://www.icao.int/safety/iStars/Pages/notams.aspx
https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/

Advanced methods:
http://www.aip.net.nz/Home.aspx
http://www.caa.govt.nz/airspace/

Quote
AIP New Zealand
The Aeronautical Information Publication
New Zealand (AIP) is a collective name given to a number of publications relating to airspace and aerodromes. These documents define the regulatory and airspace requirements to fly in New Zealand.
The AIP includes:
» AIP New Zealand Vols 1 to 4 (available online, www.aip.net.nz)
» AIP Supplements
» Air Navigation Register
» Visual Navigation and Planning Charts
» Enroute Charts (for IFR).
NOTAMs (stands for Notices to Airmen) are notices issued about any change to airspace, aerodromes, or hazards, that require immediate notification. The AIP is published for the CAA by GroupEAD (a joint venture between Airways and GroupEAD Europe) under a Part 175 certificate.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: jebbo on 11/13/2017 06:38 pm
Quote
Looks like we might get another Electron flight soon -- @RocketLab says the next test vehicle just arrived at the New Zealand launch site. Test window dates will be announced in the coming weeks

https://twitter.com/lorengrush/status/930156389087014912 (https://twitter.com/lorengrush/status/930156389087014912)

--- Tony
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/13/2017 07:08 pm
Quote
Electron Arrives at Launch Site For Rocket Lab's Second Test Flight
Press Release - Source: Rocket LabPosted November 13, 2017 2:41 PM

Rocket Lab's second Electron orbital launch vehicle has arrived at Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula, signalling the beginning of pre-flight checks ahead of Rocket Lab's second test flight.

The test window dates are expected to be announced in coming weeks.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck says the rocket is performing well through rigorous acceptance tests and the team is focused on final flight preparations.

"It's a great feeling to have another rocket on the pad. To be preparing for a second flight just months after an inaugural test is unprecedented for a new launch vehicle. It's a testament to Electron's robust design and the hard-working team behind it," Beck says.

"The Still Testing flight is a significant milestone in opening access to space and unlocking the potential that holds in improving the everyday lives of millions of people," Beck says.

Improved weather and natural disaster prediction, internet from space and real-time crop monitoring are just a fraction of the benefits of more frequent and cost-effective access to low Earth orbit.

'Still Testing' will carry an Earth-imaging Dove satellite for Planet and Lemur-2 satellites for Spire for weather mapping and ship traffic tracking. Carrying payloads is a significant step for the Electron program, enabling Rocket Lab to gather crucial data and test systems for the deployment stage of a mission. Electron will go through a series of final checks and tests in the coming weeks before a yet-to-be-announced launch window opens.

As the flight is still a test, Rocket Lab anticipates several scrubs, or 'postponements', during the second test flight attempt.

For real-time updates throughout the launch window, follow Rocket Lab on Twitter @RocketLab

http://spaceref.biz/company/electron-arrives-at-launch-site-for-rocket-labs-second-test-flight.html (http://spaceref.biz/company/electron-arrives-at-launch-site-for-rocket-labs-second-test-flight.html)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Olaf on 11/15/2017 04:25 am

'Still Testing' will carry an Earth-imaging Dove satellite for Planet and Lemur-2 satellites for Spire for weather mapping and ship traffic tracking.

It seems, that now only one Flock/Dove will be flying.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Olaf on 11/17/2017 05:27 pm
Confirmed.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/rocket-lab/rocket-lab-prepares-electron-second-test-flight/
Quote
“Still Testing” will ferry at least three small satellites to a highly inclined elliptical orbit.

Riding to orbit on this flight are at least two Lemur-2 satellites as well as a single Dove satellite.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: QuantumG on 11/17/2017 11:30 pm
Great!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ringsider on 11/18/2017 08:10 am
Confirmed.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/rocket-lab/rocket-lab-prepares-electron-second-test-flight/
Quote
“Still Testing” will ferry at least three small satellites to a highly inclined elliptical orbit.

Riding to orbit on this flight are at least two Lemur-2 satellites as well as a single Dove satellite.

I think this is very intelligent. They are basically doing demo flights for key customers with a small number of sats, to minimize risk, and not guaranteeing to circularize. Honestly it's hard to fault the way Rocket Lab thinks and works. They are are really a good example. I wish more people followed their approach.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: AncientU on 11/18/2017 06:43 pm
'Still Testing' indicates they also have a sense of humor... and anticipate failure as one of the possible outcomes of each early launch.  Attitude seems vaguely familiar.

My bet is that they succeed soon and start building a base for technology growth.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Lar on 11/19/2017 12:54 am
They are showing signs of success...   Let a hundred flowers bloom.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: waf102 on 11/19/2017 01:09 am
Confirmed.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/rocket-lab/rocket-lab-prepares-electron-second-test-flight/
Quote
“Still Testing” will ferry at least three small satellites to a highly inclined elliptical orbit.

Riding to orbit on this flight are at least two Lemur-2 satellites as well as a single Dove satellite.

I think this is very intelligent. They are basically doing demo flights for key customers with a small number of sats, to minimize risk, and not guaranteeing to circularize. Honestly it's hard to fault the way Rocket Lab thinks and works. They are are really a good example. I wish more people followed their approach.

Given that they are shooting for a highly elliptical orbit, has anyone seen it mentioned anywhere what the apogee and perigee will be???

Also, is this the plan for the next two test flights in 2018?

Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 11/19/2017 05:50 am
Also, is this the plan for the next two test flights in 2018?

If this test is successful, I believe they would cancel the third test flight and start shifting their backlog.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ringsider on 11/19/2017 02:37 pm
Interesting that Rocket Lab is not required to recover the debris:-

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/Pre_activity_notice_space_launch%20Rocket%20Lab%20ITSATEST%2020170515_Redacted.pdf (http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/Pre_activity_notice_space_launch%20Rocket%20Lab%20ITSATEST%2020170515_Redacted.pdf)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 11/19/2017 09:53 pm
Interesting that Rocket Lab is not required to recover the debris:-

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/Pre_activity_notice_space_launch%20Rocket%20Lab%20ITSATEST%2020170515_Redacted.pdf (http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/Pre_activity_notice_space_launch%20Rocket%20Lab%20ITSATEST%2020170515_Redacted.pdf)

It's also interesting that, because they are receiving government funding via a Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant
there are no costs involved either.. although exactly how their operation fits into "domestic or international marine scientific research" is less clear.

I'm impressed that the EPA have developed a form specifically for the "Deposit of material on seabed from launch of space vehicle"!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: gongora on 11/22/2017 12:20 am
Quote
MEET DOVE PIONEER (https://www.planet.com/pulse/meet-dove-pioneer/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)

Mike Safyan | November 21, 2017

Last month, the Planet team successfully integrated one of our Dove satellites into a Rocket Lab Maxwell deployer to be flown on the 2nd orbital flight (aka “Still Testing”) of Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle. The launch is currently scheduled for December of this year and the rocket will drop off the Dove into a 300 x 500 km, 83 degree inclination orbit.
 
This Dove has been officially designated “Dove Pioneer,” and the name has several points of significance for us. On the one hand, it’s a nod to the awe-inspiring series of Pioneer missions conducted by NASA in the 50s, 60s and 70s. There is often a lot of buzz about NewSpace and how small satellites and small launch vehicles are changing the industry, but we owe a great deal of our success to the amazing space pioneers that preceded us. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

On the other hand, Planet and Rocket Lab really are on the precipice of pioneering something historic in the space industry. Planet has been launching and operating record-breaking numbers of satellites for the last several years, and Rocket Lab is at the forefront of providing low-cost, frequent, and mission-tailored access to space, further enabling game-changing small satellite architectures such as Planet’s.

Our brave Dove Pioneer will be on the first Rocket Lab launch to carry commercial payloads, paving the way for more missions to come. Stay tuned to @planetlabs and @rocketlab on Twitter for further mission updates.

[Picture] Planet’s Michael Soulage integrates Dove Pioneer into the Maxwell deployer
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/29/2017 04:02 pm
Quote
On December 8 NZST, Rocket Lab will open a 10 day window in which our team will attempt a to launch our second Electron rocket, Still Testing.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/935916490716364800 (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/935916490716364800)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/29/2017 04:30 pm
Yes!

Quote
#StillTesting will be the first #Electron launch to be live streamed. We can't wait to share it with you. Stream will become available at http://www.rocketlabusa.com  minutes before a launch attempt.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/935923479794159617
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/29/2017 06:19 pm
Quote
Four hour window, opens daily from 2.30 pm NZST.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/935924192456802304 (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/935924192456802304)

Which I make 02:30 (ie am) UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: NathanR on 11/30/2017 01:14 am
Press release (https://rocketlabusa.com/latest/rocket-lab-still-testing-launch-window-announced/)
Press kit (https://rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/MED17-003-Launch-Media-Kit-Flight-two-StillTesting-2.pdf)

The tweets give the wrong time zone. NZDT (UTC+13) will be observed then and both the press release and press kit say NZDT. So the launch window is 01:30-05:30 UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 11/30/2017 01:23 am
9:30PM-1:30AM EST, 6:30PM-10:30PM PST for my fellow Americans
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: shooter6947 on 11/30/2017 01:27 am
But is that on December 7 for us then in the USA?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 11/30/2017 04:15 am
But is that on December 7 for us then in the USA?

Yes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Kosmos2001 on 11/30/2017 06:48 am
Can't wait to see the zebra-like launcher in action again. Successfully, of course.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: TrevorMonty on 11/30/2017 08:17 am
Finally a launch in local time. But to make life easier for international viewers including UTC in press release would be nice. I just wish all launches quoted UTC along with launch site's local time, would make timezone conversion so much easier.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/01/2017 09:00 pm
Quote
Yesterday we successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal for #StillTesting at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1. Preparations for launch coming along nicely.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/936710334710034432
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/07/2017 04:56 am
Any reports out there that can confirm if the launch is still targeting tomorrow?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/07/2017 05:17 am
Nothing that I can find. Here's the link to the live stream. Showing "Page Not Found".

http://www.rocketlabusa.com/livestream
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/07/2017 06:41 pm
Electron will be rolled onto the pad at Launch Complex 1 today for final #StillTesting prep. Targeting no earlier than 2.30 pm, Saturday 9 December NZDT for a launch attempt. Weather also not looking good for Sunday, so an attempt could still be pushed to Monday NZDT.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/938853871190814720
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/07/2017 06:44 pm
Electron will be rolled onto the pad at Launch Complex 1 today for final #StillTesting prep. Targeting no earlier than 2.30 pm, Saturday 9 December NZDT for a launch attempt. Weather also not looking good for Sunday, so an attempt could still be pushed to Monday NZDT.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/938853871190814720

This is 0130UTC on December 9.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: nacnud on 12/07/2017 07:36 pm
Thank you, I tried to work it out and got that time, but it's good to get confirmation!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: vaporcobra on 12/07/2017 07:47 pm
5:30pm PST December 8, for those wondering ;) PST is UTC-8 hours.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: vaporcobra on 12/07/2017 08:11 pm
and just got confirmation that it will be livestreamed.

Quote
Still planning a live stream via Facebook, YouTube and our website. Webcast will be available approx. 12 mins prior to launch attempt. Best way to catch it is to update your settings so you get notifications when we post here.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/938874394155220993
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/07/2017 08:50 pm
Here is the link to the Rocketlab livestream and Youtube. Youtube link is currently showing unavailable.

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI9mAhV8wz8
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/07/2017 11:11 pm
Confirmed.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/rocket-lab/rocket-lab-prepares-electron-second-test-flight/
Quote
“Still Testing” will ferry at least three small satellites to a highly inclined elliptical orbit.
Given that they are shooting for a highly elliptical orbit, has anyone seen it mentioned anywhere what the apogee and perigee will be???
"Highly inclined elliptical orbit" rather than "highly elliptical orbit".  That means a relatively high inclination.  An elliptical orbit doesn't necessarily mean a large difference in perigee/apogee.  Technically, all earth orbits are, of course, "elliptical".

 - Ed Kyle

Target orbit is 300 x 500 km x 83 deg. : http://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-sets-december-date-for-second-electron-launch/ (http://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-sets-december-date-for-second-electron-launch/)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Andrew_W on 12/08/2017 01:24 am
Rocket Lab's has cancelled launch of its second Electron rocket on Friday due to high winds.

The company opened the 10-day launching window from its Māhia Peninsula site on Friday, but high altitude winds meant a launch was unlikely before Monday afternoon.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/99667633/wind-delays-rocket-labs-still-testing-launch
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Olaf on 12/08/2017 07:18 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/939022486003376128
Quote
Still Testing is on the pad at LC-1 and looking healthy. Ideal launch conditions open up Monday. Currently targeting no earlier than 2.30 pm Monday 11 December NZDT (Sunday, 8.30 pm EST/5.30 pm PST).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: john smith 19 on 12/09/2017 07:24 am
Quote
Still Testing is on the pad at LC-1 and looking healthy. Ideal launch conditions open up Monday. Currently targeting no earlier than 2.30 pm Monday 11 December NZDT (Sunday, 8.30 pm EST/5.30 pm PST).
Sounds promising. let's hope the weather holds for them.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: TrevorMonty on 12/09/2017 05:30 pm
Quote
Still Testing is on the pad at LC-1 and looking healthy. Ideal launch conditions open up Monday. Currently targeting no earlier than 2.30 pm Monday 11 December NZDT (Sunday, 8.30 pm EST/5.30 pm PST).
Sounds promising. let's hope the weather holds for them.
If weather doesn't hold there will be a lot of happy farmers. Country is facing drought conditions and summer has only just started.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/10/2017 04:33 pm
Moved for live coverage!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ZachF on 12/10/2017 06:00 pm
Good luck to the Kiwis!  ;)

Hoping for a success
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Ilikeboosterrockets on 12/10/2017 06:20 pm
"Conditions are looking good for a #StillTesting Electron launch attempt today. Launch could happen any time between 14:30 - 18:30 NZDT. More updates and livestream details to follow throughout the day."

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/939936760393474049

Edit: Here's the image included with the tweet
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Ilikeboosterrockets on 12/10/2017 06:38 pm
New livestream link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx52QKgF_HM
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: whitelancer64 on 12/10/2017 07:01 pm
It says Live in 4 hours
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Phil Stooke on 12/10/2017 11:00 pm
Live in 60 minutes... where's my bottle of Mahia Point Sauvignon Blanc?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: techdude06 on 12/10/2017 11:43 pm
YouTube now says 1hour and 16 min, delayed an hour?

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Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Phil Stooke on 12/10/2017 11:51 pm
Time goes backwards - it's in the southern hemisphere.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Ilikeboosterrockets on 12/10/2017 11:54 pm
Youtube stream previously was scheduled to go live at 8:00PM (EST), now showing 9:00PM  (EST).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/11/2017 12:00 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940022496039813120 (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940022496039813120)

#StillTesting daily launch window is almost open. Target lift-off time between 14:30 - 18:30 NZDT (1:30 - 5:30 UTC) to be provided shortly.

I guess they are not looking to launch at the top of the window then...
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/11/2017 12:19 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940022496039813120 (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940022496039813120)

#StillTesting daily launch window is almost open. Target lift-off time between 14:30 - 18:30 NZDT (1:30 - 5:30 UTC) to be provided shortly.

I guess they are not looking to launch at the top of the window then...

But they still have PLENTY of time
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/11/2017 12:33 am
Nevermind.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940031491521757186

"Still Testing launch attempt scrubbed for the day. Weather factors and orbital traffic mean opportunities for launch today are tight, so we'll try again tomorrow. Updates on new launch target to follow."
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/11/2017 12:44 am
“Orbital traffic” - that’s the first I’ve heard that as an abort criteria. Is that something?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: deruch on 12/11/2017 12:56 am
“Orbital traffic” - that’s the first I’ve heard that as an abort criteria. Is that something?

Could be that they aren't prepared to do a COLA in the early tests and so if that potentially might be necessary, then they just choose to scrub.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/11/2017 12:59 am
“Orbital traffic” - that’s the first I’ve heard that as an abort criteria. Is that something?

Yes, but you only need to wait a few seconds for the path to clear. With a four hour window, that should not be a problem.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: DaveS on 12/11/2017 01:02 am
“Orbital traffic” - that’s the first I’ve heard that as an abort criteria. Is that something?

Could be that they aren't prepared to do a COLA in the early tests and so if that potentially might be necessary, then they just choose to scrub.
A COLA is simply a cut-out in the launch window when the trajectory takes the vehicle too close to another orbiting object. It isn't a maneuver. What you're thinking of is most likely a CCAM (Contamination/Collision Avoidance Maneuver) which is something some upper stages does to clear the payload(s) after separation. But that has nothing to do with COLAs.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: NathanR on 12/11/2017 01:38 am
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/940039407133851648 (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/940039407133851648)
Quote
Rocket Lab, in a statement, says “A combination of poor weather closing in and conjunction with the International Space Station left a narrow six minute window for a launch attempt,” hence the scrub. Try again no sooner than tomorrow.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/11/2017 02:00 am
At least they get some more data review time
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Star One on 12/11/2017 05:49 am
Nevermind.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940031491521757186

"Still Testing launch attempt scrubbed for the day. Weather factors and orbital traffic mean opportunities for launch today are tight, so we'll try again tomorrow. Updates on new launch target to follow."

First time I’ve ever seen orbital traffic used as a partial reason to scrub a launch.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/11/2017 06:34 am
Quote
Next #StillTesting window opens 14:30, Tuesday 12 December NZDT (1:30 UTC). Updates on anticipated launch time within the four hour window to follow tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/940065853747249155
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: input~2 on 12/11/2017 02:49 pm
NOTAMs for next trial:

B6345/17 -  DANGER AREA NZD492 (MAHIA, HAWKE'S BAY) ACT. REF AIP SUP 137/17. SFC - FL999, 12 DEC 01:00 2017 UNTIL 12 DEC 06:05 2017 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 11 DEC 01:56 2017


B6344/17 -  DANGER AREA NZD025 (EAST AUCKLAND OCEANIC FIR) ACT. REF AIP SUP 137/17. SFC - FL999, 12 DEC 01:00 2017 UNTIL 12 DEC 06:05 2017 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 11 DEC 01:51 2017
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: input~2 on 12/11/2017 04:41 pm
WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
NEW ZEALAND.
DNC 06.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 0130Z TO 0530Z DAILY
08 THRU 17 DEC IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 39-11.42S 177-46.64E, 39-11.42S 178-05.00E,
40-14.65S 178-04.62E, 40-14.93S 177-59.56E.
B. 43-06.00S 177-46.20E, 42-57.00S 179-15.60E,
48-30.00S 179-34.20W, 48-40.80S 178-51.00E.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 4224/17.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 170630Z DEC 17.//

Authority: CNW 252/17 022121Z DEC 17.

Date: 022136Z DEC 17
Cancel: 17063000 Dec 17

SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 29.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS SPACE DEBRIS
080130Z TO 170530Z DEC IN AREA BOUND BY
57-06.00S 179-54.00W, 56-42.00S 176-36.00W,
63-18.00S 173-06.00W, 63-48.00S 177-18.00W.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 4225/17.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 170630Z DEC 17.//

Authority: NAVAREA XIV 123/17 022107Z DEC 17.

Date: 022130Z DEC 17
Cancel: 17063000 Dec 17

Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Ilikeboosterrockets on 12/11/2017 06:18 pm
New livestream link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_oAGlhFezo
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/11/2017 07:49 pm
Quote
The Rocket Lab launch team is on console and readying Electron for the push to orbit today from Launch Complex-1. The 4 hour window opens from 14:30 NZDT (1:30 UTC/ Mon 20:30 EST/17:30 PST). Anticipated lift-off time to follow. #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/940322150006661121
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/11/2017 08:00 pm
Article for the second launch:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/rocket-lab-second-electron-launch/
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: QuantumG on 12/11/2017 08:38 pm
Fingers crossed for weather today.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/11/2017 08:53 pm
I think they'll launch as long as they don't hit a problem that can't be fixed in the 4 hour window. They do have a good amount of time
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/11/2017 11:01 pm
Quote
Currently targeting no earlier than 16:00 NZDT (3:00 UTC) for #StillTesting launch attempt. Weather looking good, but we're continuing to monitor. Webcast can be viewed at youtu.be/F_oAGlhFezo. Live coverage will begin approx. 15 minutes prior to launch attempt.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/940370133142315008
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/11/2017 11:27 pm
Weather here in Auckland - at least 500km from the Mahia Peninsula - is a gorgeous early summer day. I hope it's the same down there.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ZachF on 12/12/2017 12:32 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940392993390866433

LOX fill underway
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 12:34 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940392993390866433

LOX fill underway

Great news, shows that they are still trying to launch
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/12/2017 12:41 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940392993390866433

LOX fill underway

Nice picture with that tweet
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/12/2017 12:45 am
Do we have any launch time?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/12/2017 12:46 am
Do we have any launch time?

Ah! NET 0300UTC...
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Comga on 12/12/2017 12:46 am
From the YouTube channel
“LIVE COVERAGE OF TODAY’S LAUNCH WILL COMMENCE AT APPROX 1530 NZDT (2:30 UTC)”
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 12:54 am
From the YouTube channel
“LIVE COVERAGE OF TODAY’S LAUNCH WILL COMMENCE AT APPROX 1530 NZDT (2:30 UTC)”

Here's the picture that goes with that, slightly enhanced.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: deruch on 12/12/2017 01:19 am
Do we have any launch time?

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940396424222478336

"Currently targeting 3:00 UTC launch. Livestream will begin shortly before launch attempt."
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Satori on 12/12/2017 01:20 am
No new updates until now from Rocket Lab, so we expect live webcast to start in 10 minutes. Launch will take place NET 0300UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 01:44 am
Stream is 'live', but it's just showing that the stream will start around 2:30UTC on a frozen picture.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 01:49 am
Stream is 'live', but it's just showing that the stream will start around 2:30UTC on a frozen picture.
Given that RocketLab have quoted anywhere from T-30 to T-12 minutes for the start of the webcast, I'd say we can't draw any real conclusions yet (currently T-11 minutes, nominally).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Seamus on 12/12/2017 01:52 am
Updated on livestream to 03:05 UTC for coverage
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 01:53 am
Stream is now 'starting' at 3:05UTC, been pushed back a bit.

Therefore launch is now back to around 3:20UTC, or 10:20PM EST.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: deruch on 12/12/2017 01:55 am
Now 3:30 UTC for webcast start.

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940414731281506304

Currently targeting new lift off time of 16:50 NZDT (03:50 UTC).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Ilikeboosterrockets on 12/12/2017 01:56 am
Confirmation from twitter:

"Currently targeting new lift off time of 16:50 NZDT (03:50 UTC)."

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940414731281506304
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 01:56 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940414731281506304

Now launch is 3:50UTC, stream starting at 3:30UTC, so 10:50PM and 10:30PM EST respectively.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 01:57 am
The clock keeps going the wrong way but there have been no twitter updates for over an hour now.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:03 am
Webcast start delayed one hour.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:21 am
Just under the 10 minute mark till coverage begins if the current time holds.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: lrk on 12/12/2017 02:33 am
Any minute now...
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:34 am
Music and video has begun
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:34 am
Webcast started, intro video rolling!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:34 am
Webcast has started.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/12/2017 02:34 am
Yay! Started. Let's light this candle...
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:35 am
T-16 minutes. American commentator.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Prettz on 12/12/2017 02:35 am
Aw, an American is announcing it. No kiwi accents?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:36 am
Far view. Will end webcase if needed.

Sounds like they are doing the launch poll.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/12/2017 02:36 am
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:36 am
Polling, so far all go
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:37 am
T-14 minutes. Continue to count. Hear birds tweeting in the background.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:38 am
Great view of Electron on the pad, progressing with count!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:39 am
T-12 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:40 am
T-11 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ZachF on 12/12/2017 02:40 am
T -10m

good luck guys! ;D
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:40 am
Call to open top clamp came at T-11, confirmed fully open at T-10.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:41 am
T-10 minutes. Stage 3 batts enables.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Nilof on 12/12/2017 02:42 am
The sound of the birds around the launch pad feels awfully familiar.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: lrk on 12/12/2017 02:42 am
Strongback retracted! 
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:42 am
T-9 minutes. Stage 1 engines ready.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:42 am
Strongback confirmed retracted at T-8:50
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:43 am
T-8 minutes. Strongback has retracted.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: savuporo on 12/12/2017 02:43 am
9, 565 watching the live feed on Youtube and climbing
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:44 am
T-7 minutes. Describing mission sequence.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:45 am
T-6 minutes. FTS ground power disabled. AFTS on internal power.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:46 am
T-5 minutes. Talking about vehicle preparation.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:47 am
T-4 minutes. FSO is green.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:48 am
t-minus 3 minutes
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:48 am
T-3 minutes. Stage 3 is on internal power.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:48 am
Autosequence start
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: lrk on 12/12/2017 02:49 am
T-2 minutes, go for autosequence!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:49 am
T-2 minutes. LOX pressing.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:50 am
T-45
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:50 am
T-1 minute. Fast purge enabled.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:50 am
ABORT

Edit: abort held the count at T-2 seconds.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 02:51 am
HOLD!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:51 am
Abort!!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:51 am
Abort!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/12/2017 02:51 am
ABORT
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 02:51 am
Rocket looks safe, no info yet.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:52 am
Abort at T-2 seconds. Parameter was violated. Clamps release a few seconds after ignition.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: lrk on 12/12/2017 02:52 am
Possibility for another launch attempt today, depending on data review. 
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 02:53 am
MC is reviewing data, more info soon
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:53 am
Going through abort procedure.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 02:53 am
rocket going to external power, charging batteries
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/12/2017 02:54 am
Strongback is back up
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2017 02:54 am
Strongback raised and top clamp engaged.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:56 am
Strongback re-engaged.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: inventodoc on 12/12/2017 02:56 am
scrub for day
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: WindnWar on 12/12/2017 02:57 am
Scrubbed for today.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/12/2017 02:57 am
Scrub. Booo.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:57 am
Webcast ending.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/12/2017 02:58 am
End of webcast.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: savuporo on 12/12/2017 02:58 am
12K people at peak on Youtube. Quite a crowd
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/12/2017 02:58 am
That was a hair-raising nail-biter!! As the resident NZ 'Space Geek' for the media here - I've got to do a radio interview about this in half an hour. If anyone hears details I can regurgitate, let me know.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/12/2017 03:04 am
OK, remember this is mainly updates here. Let's keep it focused as we wait for a new date.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: catdlr on 12/12/2017 03:24 am
Rocket Lab #StillTesting Livestream - Tue 12 Dec - Aborted at T0


KiwiSpace Foundation
Published on Dec 11, 2017

https://youtu.be/z3Yp1HQicpo?t=001

https://youtu.be/z3Yp1HQicpo
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: pb2000 on 12/12/2017 03:31 am
OK, remember this is mainly updates here. Let's keep it focused as we wait for a new date.
We need a scrub party letdown thread.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/12/2017 03:37 am
Is the launch window similar tomorrow? I will likely be in a giant traffic jam here in Auckland and will have to 'watch' on my phone :(
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Kosmos2001 on 12/12/2017 06:17 am
Oh, they finally scrubbed it. Well, better this than a failure.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: chalz on 12/12/2017 11:08 am
Just saw the replay. Unless my ears deceived me Peter Beck was 'Executive' on the com and did the countdown.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: chalz on 12/12/2017 11:14 am
www.rocketlabusa.com currently shows this message on the front page:
Quote
ROCKET LAB CURRENTLY TARGETING NO EARLIER THAN 2.30 PM, THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER NZDT FOR THE NEXT 'STILL TESTING' LAUNCH ATTEMPT.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: pb2000 on 12/13/2017 01:29 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940765307483848704
https://twitter.com/PeteLawler/status/940765760116461569
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/940765842488225792

Quote
Analysis of yesterday's launch attempt is complete. Launch was aborted due to rising liquid oxygen temperatures - the result of a LOx chilldown bleed schedule not compatible with the warm conditions of the day. The fix is simple. Next attempt tomorrow! #StillTesting

Quote
Any vague UTC launch window time yet for tomorrow?

Quote
Will provide an update soon!

Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: TrevorMonty on 12/13/2017 06:30 am
Weather bit patchy tomorrow, maybe thunderstorms. Friday onwards looking good.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/13/2017 08:18 pm
Quote
Today's #StillTesting launch attempt is currently targeted between 14:30-18:30 NZDT (1:30-5:30 UTC). Keeping an eye on weather. Updates on launch time to follow.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/941045854516813824
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/13/2017 09:01 pm
Quote
Electron is now vertical at Launch Complex-1. #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/941062557099368448
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/13/2017 09:06 pm
Again, launch time is 8:30PM-12:30AM EST, 5:30PM-9:30PM PST for my fellow American friends  ;D

EDIT: This idiot points at me forgot how to count. Thanks Sam Ho for the correction!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/13/2017 09:45 pm
Link for today’s attempt:

https://youtu.be/RqpCFDQLWrE (https://youtu.be/RqpCFDQLWrE)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 12/13/2017 11:15 pm
1.5 hours to go..   It looks a bit cloudier today.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/13/2017 11:36 pm
Quote
Currently holding while the team monitors upper level winds. #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/941103611316187137
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/13/2017 11:46 pm
Livestream start time has been pushed back an hour, so 02:30 UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 12/13/2017 11:52 pm
Quote
Currently holding while the team monitors upper level winds. #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/941103611316187137

I'm not surprised - there's a high pressure system (slowly) pushing through and the forecast is for a small amount of windshear.  Must be okay though.. the timer is counting back down again now.  :)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/14/2017 01:10 am
20 minutes and still counting, to the webcast!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 12/14/2017 01:15 am
L- 15..... Still nothing
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Michael Baylor on 12/14/2017 01:17 am
Quote
#StillTesting launch attempt waved off for the day due to increasing upper level winds. Next attempt tomorrow, pending optimal weather!

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941129856028250113
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 12/14/2017 01:18 am
Official scrub per twitter
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: lrk on 12/14/2017 07:11 pm
Quote
Planet's view of Launch Complex-1 as @RocketLab readies for today’s #StillTesting launch attempt with our Dove Pioneer aboard. Follow @RocketLab for updates.

https://twitter.com/planetlabs/status/941373811580006400
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: jamesh9000 on 12/14/2017 09:11 pm
I asked them on Facebook if this trouble with upper level winds was normal or whether their constraints were tighter because this is a test and they replied:

Quote
Hi James, we've set conservative parameters because we're #StillTesting

Just FYI
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/14/2017 09:41 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941437489352282113

"Keeping an eye on upper level winds before a target launch time is determined for today. Updates to come. #StillTesting"

Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 12/14/2017 10:06 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941437489352282113

"Keeping an eye on upper level winds before a target launch time is determined for today. Updates to come. #StillTesting"

Today's forecast seems to show the airflow stabilising as that high pressure system moves further east during today - certainly looking better than yesterday.  My guess is they'll be in no hurry to launch.


(Disclaimer:  YMMV. I'm no weather forecaster and don't live in NZ either.. but access to NAIPS can be handy sometimes. :) )
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/15/2017 12:10 am
20 minutes to the window. Anyone got the latest link to the webcast, as the previous on this thread isn't working.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: DaveS on 12/15/2017 12:20 am
As of this writing, RocketLab has yet to post the actual webcast link.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ulm_atms on 12/15/2017 12:25 am
The first place the webcast link always seems to update is here:

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream

As of now, there is no new webcast link for today.  They usually have had a countdown timer by this point however.  ???

EDIT: missing words
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: Mammutti on 12/15/2017 12:30 am
Quote
If weather allows for an attempt today, we will make a livestream available approximately 15 minutes prior to a launch attempt.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941441825532809216
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: IanThePineapple on 12/15/2017 01:02 am
Still no livestream up, at least on the YouTube side.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 12/15/2017 01:14 am
Quote
If weather allows for an attempt today, we will make a livestream available approximately 15 minutes prior to a launch attempt.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941441825532809216

That's really not a lot of warning.

I guess that means I'll be one of many watching this launch (if it happens) on Youtube at a later date. :(
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/15/2017 01:21 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941493174182096897

Quote
Today's launch attempt has been scrubbed following the identification of a power fault during ground checkouts. Team will work the issue tomorrow before a new target launch time is determined in coming days.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-01:30 UTC December 15, 2017
Post by: CameronD on 12/15/2017 05:21 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941493174182096897

Quote
Today's launch attempt has been scrubbed following the identification of a power fault during ground checkouts. Team will work the issue tomorrow before a new target launch time is determined in coming days.

First it was the weather, now it's a ground power fault.  Wow, this is getting intense!!!

Righto.. who's got the popcorn??  ;D
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - December 15, 2017
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/16/2017 06:38 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941925746838159361 (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/941925746838159361)

Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
#StillTesting launch attempt is now targeted for early 2018. Yesterday's power fault has been resolved, but with only one day remaining in the launch window we've decided to preserve crew rest and come back for an attempt in the new year.

--------------------------

Well see you all in 2018 then and I hope it will be a better year for Rocket Lab....
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - NET January 2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 12/16/2017 08:01 am
Had forgotten about the window. Despite the scrub a hats off to the workers behind this launch and hope to com back strong in the new year.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - NET January 2018
Post by: mn on 12/17/2017 01:14 am
Does anyone have any idea what are the constraints for the launch window?

It's certainly not anyone else competing for the range ;)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - NET January 2018
Post by: TrevorMonty on 12/17/2017 01:47 am
Does anyone have any idea what are the constraints for the launch window?

It's certainly not anyone else competing for the range ;)
Boats still need to vacate area downrange, especially close to pad. This is popular holiday location, so they may wait till end of summer holidays ie end Jan.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - NET January 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/11/2018 09:52 pm
Quote
New year, new #StillTesting launch window! A nine day launch window opens January 20 NZDT for our second Electron rocket. Target lift-off during this time will be between 14:30 - 18:30 NZDT (1:30 - 5:30 UTC). We'll be live streaming.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/951529210123710464
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/15/2018 06:48 am
Quote
Sunset from Range Control at Rocket Lab Launch Complex-1. A great view for the team preparing for Electron's #StillTesting launch window later this week.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/952757108948156416
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/18/2018 10:10 pm
Quote
#StillTesting roll-out preparations are well underway today at Launch Complex-1. Tomorrow's four hour launch window opens at 14:30 NZDT (17:30 PT/ 20:30 ET / 1:30 UTC). Once again, we'll be waiting for ideal launch conditions. More updates to follow!

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/954127104601292800
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: TrevorMonty on 01/18/2018 11:35 pm
Forecast is good, fine and light winds.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/19/2018 03:03 pm
Hmm, I don't see any live broadcast link on YT yet.
Have they decided on launching today or not?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 03:40 pm
Hmm, I don't see any live broadcast link on YT yet.
Have they decided on launching today or not?
They appear to be proceeding as the NOTAM's have not been scratched for the day off of the active notices section of several services.

Regarding live broadcast:
Per: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-open-still-testing-launch-window-on-january-20/
Quote
...
The Still Testing launch attempt will be live streamed to the public. A live video stream will be available approximately 15 minutes prior to a launch attempt and will be viewable on YouTube and at www.rocketlabusa.com 

 

For real time updates, follow Rocket Lab on Twitter @RocketLab
...
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/19/2018 05:22 pm
Pending confirmation tonight is still on, I've updated William's article. Previous scrub was old news site format, so a bit edit to bring it into the new news site format :)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/rocket-lab-second-electron-launch/
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/19/2018 06:20 pm
Quote
The #StillTesting launch window opens today! Currently targeting no earlier than 14:30 NZDT (17:30 PT/ 20:30 ET / 1:30 UTC). Launch preparations underway. Updates to come.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/954432085376159744
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 07:56 pm
As various closures begin to go into effect I felt that I should post this.

Local Marine / Air / Road Closure Updates:

Closure Information: Closures could be in place between 7:00am - 7:00 pm NZDT from Saturday 20 January - Sunday 28 January.
Road: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/roads-traffic-management-active/
Marine: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/marine/
Airspace: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/airspace-safety-area/

Public Viewing: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-Still-Testing-Public-viewing-advisory5.pdf
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/19/2018 08:23 pm
Quote
Electron is vertical on the pad at Launch Complex-1. #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/954459423816101888
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/19/2018 08:27 pm
Alright, if I remembered how to count correctly, launch time for my fellow Americans is as follows:

East: 8:30 PM
Central: 7:30 PM
Mountain: 6:30 PM
Pacific: 5:30 PM
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 10:02 pm
As various closures begin to go into effect I felt that I should post this.

Local Marine / Air / Road Closure Updates:

Closure Information: Closures could be in place between 7:00am - 7:00 pm NZDT from Saturday 20 January - Sunday 28 January.
Road: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/roads-traffic-management-active/
Marine: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/marine/
Airspace: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/airspace-safety-area/

Public Viewing: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-Still-Testing-Public-viewing-advisory5.pdf
Road Closures are now in effect at this time.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/19/2018 10:26 pm
Quote
LOX fill is underway at LC-1 for #StillTesting Electron launch attempt today.

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/954494467939037185
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/19/2018 10:33 pm
https://youtu.be/3mh8ZplzEqk (https://youtu.be/3mh8ZplzEqk)

Quote
EVENTScheduled for 20 Jan 2018
Rocket Lab is continuing the Electron rocket test program with the launch of a second test flight, named ‘Still Testing’, from Launch Complex 1 at the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Liftoff is targeted for no earlier than 2:30 p.m. NZDT (01:30 UTC/17:30 PT/20:30 ET) on Saturday, January 20, 2017.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/19/2018 10:57 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954502237388075008

Quote
"@ulalaunch, we hear you're at 80% LOX filled for stage 1? Race you. #StillTesting #Electron #AtlasV #SBIRS
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 11:16 pm
As various closures begin to go into effect I felt that I should post this.

Local Marine / Air / Road Closure Updates:

Closure Information: Closures could be in place between 7:00am - 7:00 pm NZDT from Saturday 20 January - Sunday 28 January.
Road: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/roads-traffic-management-active/
Marine: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/marine/
Airspace: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/airspace-safety-area/

Public Viewing: http://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-Still-Testing-Public-viewing-advisory5.pdf
Marine and Airspace Closures are now in effect at this time.

Marine Safety Zone Coordinates

39°11.42’ S   177°55.46’ E
39°11.80’ S   177°58.00’ E
39°19.00’ S   178°05.00’ E
40°14.65’ S   178°04.62’ E
40°14.93’ S   177°59.56’ E
39°13.28’ S   177°47.00’ E
39°13.28’ S   177°51.06’ E
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 11:41 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954494467939037185
@RocketLab
LOX fill is underway at LC-1 for #StillTesting Electron launch attempt today.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/19/2018 11:52 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954514813555650560
@RocketLab
Currently targeting no earlier than 14:30 NZDT (17:30 PT/ 20:30 ET) for today's Still Testing launch attempt. Live webcast will begin approximately 20 minutes prior to a launch attempt.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:00 am
30 minutes until start of webcast.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Flying Beaver on 01/20/2018 12:04 am
30 minutes until start of webcast.

Until launch.

Now 6 minutes to webcast start and 26 to launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9PVmjjI_c
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:10 am
20 minutes until start of webcast.


the clock on youtube mine shows 20 minutes until webcast at the time of this posting.
30 minutes until start of webcast.

Until launch.

Now 6 minutes to webcast start and 26 to launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9PVmjjI_c
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:21 am
9 minutes until start of webcast.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: DaveS on 01/20/2018 12:21 am
9 minutes until start of webcast.
And T0. Nothing new on Twitter from Rocket Lab on a possible T0 delay.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 01/20/2018 12:22 am
Webcast should have started over 10 minutes ago. The countdown is to the T-0. There is either a technical issue with the webcast or a delay with the launch.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:23 am
8 minutes until start of webcast.

Time listed is a NET time
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:24 am
6 minutes until start of RL YT webcast.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: DaveS on 01/20/2018 12:26 am
8 minutes until start of webcast.

Time listed is a NET time
The webcast start time listed is just the standard automatic timer. The broadcaster can choose to start it early (this is what SpaceX does, they set the auto-start time of the webcast to the actual T0 and go live some 10 minutes "ahead of schedule") or just not feed it anything when the timer expires.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 12:28 am
still no webcast, more than likely a delay
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 12:28 am
Still seem to be going for 8:30 launch, webcast hasn't started. Probably delayed a bit or scrubbed, or they just forgot about the cast ;D
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/20/2018 12:29 am
Rocket Lab
 
@RocketLab

T-20 and holding for weather #StillTesting
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 12:30 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954526025026699264
Quote
T-20 and holding for weather #StillTesting
Official word, not good word.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:30 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954526025026699264
T-20 and holding for weather #StillTesting
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:32 am
Handing over to others as unfortunately my flight is boarding now.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/20/2018 12:35 am
I guess that's wind related as the weather seems warm and sunny down in NZ: https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2 (https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/20/2018 12:41 am
I guess that's wind related as the weather seems warm and sunny down in NZ: https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2 (https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2)

Wind gusts are somewhat high in the 30+kmh range.
https://www.windy.com/-46.434/169.074?-47.290,169.074,7,m:cnLakQW
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Yellowstone10 on 01/20/2018 12:47 am
I get that they're going to be especially cautious during testing, but the incongruity between "we're going to launch 100 times a year!" and "uh oh, there's a slight breeze, better postpone the launch" does amuse me a bit.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: DaveS on 01/20/2018 12:48 am
I get that they're going to be especially cautious during testing, but the incongruity between "we're going to launch 100 times a year!" and "uh oh, there's a slight breeze, better postpone the launch" does amuse me a bit.
Could be upper level winds that are the problem. 5 kts steady state surface winds shouldn't be an issue.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: wardy89 on 01/20/2018 12:50 am
I guess that's wind related as the weather seems warm and sunny down in NZ: https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2 (https://english.wunderground.com/q/pws:IHKBMAHI2)

Wind gusts are somewhat high in the 30+kmh range.
https://www.windy.com/-46.434/169.074?-47.290,169.074,7,m:cnLakQW

I was just looking at that myself. Looks like max is 30kts at about round 4k altitude so not to bad.

edit. changing wind speed because i was looking at the wrong part of New Zealand!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 12:50 am
targeting launch for 9:31 ET

https://twitter.com/RocketLab?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 12:50 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954531299963715584

Rocket Lab
‏Verified account @RocketLab
39s

Currently targeting #StillTesting lift off no earlier than 15:36 NZDT (18:36 PT / 21:36 ET / 2.36 UTC), while we wait for ideal weather conditions.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 12:51 am
webcast now counting down!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 01:06 am
T-30 minutes
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 01:17 am
19 minutes out, no stream. Probably still holding, or just starting the webcast sooner to liftoff.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 01:20 am
15 minutes- probably holding, no webcast yet
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: RocketLover0119 on 01/20/2018 01:24 am
still holding at T-20-

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954539964808675328
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:25 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954539964808675328

Rocket Lab
‏Verified account @RocketLab
47s48 seconds ago

Holding at T-20 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/20/2018 01:52 am
Youtube stream is "live", but just a picture on screen at the moment.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 01:52 am
Youtube stream is "live", but just a picture on screen at the moment.

Could be good news or an accidental click.

I want it to be real!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:53 am
Rocketlab has started streaming, but is only showing their logo at the moment.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/20/2018 01:53 am
Live!!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/20/2018 01:53 am
Playing intro video now!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/20/2018 01:54 am
T-16 mins.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:54 am
T-16 minutes and 55 seconds and counting!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:55 am
T-16 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:56 am
T-15 minutes. Going to poll.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:58 am
T-13 minutes. Go to proceed with the countdown.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/20/2018 01:59 am
Confirming T-0 target of 03:10 UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 01:59 am
T-12 minute. The three word procedure is in effect at this time.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:00 am
T-11 minutes. Strongback retracted. 83 degree 300x500 km orbit carrying three satellites.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:01 am
T-10 minutes. About 7.8 km/s orbital speed.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:02 am
T-9 minutes. Stage 1 engines are ready.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:03 am
T-8 minutes. Rocketlab has been working really hard for this launch!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:04 am
T-7 minutes. Rocketlab wants you! Apply now.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:05 am
T-6 minutes. Autosequence starts in about 4 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:06 am
T-5 minutes. No big red button in launch control room to abort launch.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:07 am
T-4 minutes. One engine was out of spec in last launch attempt.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:08 am
T-3 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: jcm on 01/20/2018 02:08 am
T-12 minute. The three word procedure is in effect at this time.

What is the three word procedure?  Are they four-letter words? :-)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:09 am
T-2 minutes. Autosequence has started.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:10 am
T-1 minute. Hold Hold Hold!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:10 am
Hold was at T-54 seconds.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:11 am
What is the three word procedure?  Are they four-letter words? :-)

Yes. "Hold Hold Hold".
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: jcm on 01/20/2018 02:13 am
Oh, those three words. Yes.

Hold at T-54s, they are going through safing. No word yet on cause.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:13 am
Thankfully, Rocketlab has continued livestreaming during the recycle. Commentator is off the air.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:14 am
Seeing venting from base of vehicle.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:15 am
Sounds like a boat in the range.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/20/2018 02:15 am
"Waiting for clearance of a rogue vessel... trying to make contact."

Wayward boat strikes again!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:16 am
Confirmation of "rogue boat" in the range.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 02:16 am
Boat.

UGH, just use torpedoes at this point! ;D

But they're supposedly recycling, excellent sign.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:17 am
Recycled clock to T-20 minutes and holding.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:19 am
Strongback back in place.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:20 am
Livestream clock reset to T-20 minutes. Sounds like Kookaburras near the pad!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: jamesh9000 on 01/20/2018 02:21 am
Those are magpies Steven. SpaceX has Rocket Cows, Rocket Lab has Rocket Magpies :)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:21 am
There's a boat visible above the vehicle. You can see its wake.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:22 am
Boat moving out the way. Talking about Rutherford engines.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: TheWire on 01/20/2018 02:23 am
Those are magpies Steven. SpaceX has Rocket Cows, Rocket Lab has Rocket Magpies :)
Looks like rocket lab have cows too.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/20/2018 02:24 am
Those are magpies Steven. SpaceX has Rocket Cows, Rocket Lab has Rocket Magpies :)
Looks like rocket lab have cows too.

Call SpaceX, we need a Rocket Cow Cam
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:26 am
Still see venting at base, but its a lot less than before.

Still working on clearing rogue boat from range.

Window remains open until 18:30 local.

Certain blackout periods to avoid collisions in orbit.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: ZachF on 01/20/2018 02:27 am
Those are magpies Steven. SpaceX has Rocket Cows, Rocket Lab has Rocket Magpies :)
Looks like rocket lab have cows too.

Call SpaceX, we need a Rocket Cow Cam

This is New Zealand, are there no Rocket Sheep? :P
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: TheWire on 01/20/2018 02:28 am
Sounds like the boat we can see is not the boat in question.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: yg1968 on 01/20/2018 02:30 am
They said that they would send a plane to clear the boat. So the boat in the background must have been the wayward boat.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:34 am
Looks like a nice sunny afternoon at Mahia.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/20/2018 02:37 am
New T-0 at 04:20 UTC.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:37 am
Setting clock for 4:20 UTC T-0.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:38 am
Clock is counting. Weather is getting worse latter in the day.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/20/2018 02:41 am
Remember this is a live update thread. Let's keep the chatter down :)
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:41 am
T-40 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:42 am
The boat that was visible before is now out of view.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: flyright on 01/20/2018 02:43 am
The commentator mentioned they were working to "clear the vessels". So perhaps more than one boat.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:47 am
T-35 minutes. Just noticed some cows at the bottom left!

Weather is expected to deteriorate after the current launch time, so this may be best chance for the day.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:51 am
T-30 minutes. Boats are out of the hazard area.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:56 am
T-25 minutes.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 02:57 am
Still working one of two ships.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/20/2018 03:00 am
Heard on countdown net (@T-21:16, about 65 minutes into Youtube stream): "I never wanna hold again."
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:00 am
US Flight has trouble understand NZ controller asking "Do you want to hold again?". Answer "I never want to hold again."
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:01 am
T-20 minutes and counting.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:02 am
High altitude winds are a concern latter in the day. Continue to work on the boats.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:04 am
Monster bee attacking Electron!
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:06 am
T-15 minutes. LOX farm on right. Kero and water are to the left.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:07 am
Hearing no go for avionics. Going into T-12 minute hold.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:08 am
Problem with camera. Still working boat and weather.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Prettz on 01/20/2018 03:08 am
Heard on countdown net: "I never wanna hold again."
What was the T-minus at when that was heard?
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:09 am
Into the T-12 minute hold.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: yg1968 on 01/20/2018 03:10 am
Problem with camera. Still working boat and weather.

We can actually see the problem with that camera. It is showing strobes of lights that look like lightening (on the right of the image).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: catdlr on 01/20/2018 03:14 am
Problem with camera. Still working boat and weather.

We can actually see the problem with that camera. It is showing strobes of lights that looked like lightening (on the right of the image).

Looks like remnants of a spider web.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:14 am
Weather getting into the point that may prevent launch.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:24 am
Upper altitude winds are not favourable. Still have plenty of time in window (just over 1 hour).
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:32 am
Commentator describing vehicle. Venting is completely normal. Looking for a gap in the weather.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:51 am
Nice far shot. About 40 minutes left in window.
Title: Re: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing"-3 Cubesats-NET (01:30UTC) 20th Jan-2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:56 am
Scrub!
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/20/2018 03:57 am
Same window tomorrow.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 03:58 am
There were two boats in the range at the hold. Will be trying again tomorrow at 1:30 UTC.

Webcast ending.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 01/20/2018 04:30 am
Video of the initial launch attempt today.

Rocket Lab #StillTesting Livestream - Sat 20 Jan 2018 - Scrubbed Launch Attempt (From T-2m)

KiwiSpace Foundation
Published on Jan 19, 2018

Saturday 20 Jan 2018 - Rocket Lab attempted to launch their second Electron rocket.  This video shows just the final 2 minutes of the countdown before they had to manually abort due to a rogue vessel (boat) in the launch area.

https://youtu.be/3mh8ZplzEqk?t=001

https://youtu.be/3mh8ZplzEqk
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 01/20/2018 05:01 am
Full Launch Coverage.

Rocket Lab #StillTesting Livestream - Sat 20 Jan 2018 - Scrubbed Launch Attempt FULL


KiwiSpace Foundation
Published on Jan 19, 2018

Full-length untrimmed webcast.

https://youtu.be/JBGfKWovvCg?t=001

https://youtu.be/JBGfKWovvCg
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 01/20/2018 05:24 am
WOW!

Quote
Prime view @profithb has the day to be fishing #mahia #rocket @RocketLab
https://twitter.com/raising5girls/status/954527056464769026

I don't think it was the cause of the scrub. This boat was visible during the webcast.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/954554491004530688

Edit: Another tweet from someone else on the boat with the same photo.
https://twitter.com/profithb/status/954548002697265158
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 01/20/2018 05:43 am
Ok, probably a different boat than the one on the webcast. Sounds like they probably cleared the zone in time. That was a great idea to go check it out beforehand. Impressive cliff to put your launch pad on!  ;D

Quote
you were allowed in the zone until 2pm.
https://twitter.com/raising5girls/status/954604710119407616
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/20/2018 05:54 am
It's a beautiful neck of the woods, down there. We're having a very hot summer by our standards - but residual high winds are hanging about from the big storm of a few days ago.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: SciNews on 01/20/2018 06:49 am
Rocket Lab Electron Still Testing aborted launch, 20 January 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egVGMeDBSHw
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Mark McCombs on 01/20/2018 08:31 am
Thank you Steven for todays coverage.
Was not able to watch live and I appreciate the PBP coverage.

 8)
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: mtakala24 on 01/20/2018 10:06 pm
No news about the next attempt on twitter as far as I can see...
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2018 10:10 pm
Quote
Prime view @profithb has the day to be fishing #mahia #rocket @RocketLab
https://twitter.com/raising5girls/status/954527056464769026

I don't think it was the cause of the scrub. This boat was visible during the webcast.

RocketLab tweeted them confirming it wasn't their boat that caused the hold!

"Rocket Lab
‏Replying to @profithb @raising5girls

These are not the boats you're looking for."

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954818130617880576

Here's a closeup of Electron. It doesn't look like it had been fuelled yet as there is no white frost.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: ulm_atms on 01/20/2018 11:32 pm
Not sure if 100% up to date, but they currently show road and marine closures as active:

http://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/

However live-stream show a 'Page not Found' error:

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream

Radar shows rain slowly coming in from the northwest:

http://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/rain-radar/gisborne-hawkes-bay

And here is the attached current and forcasted weather for the next three days for Mahia:

http://www.metservice.com/rural/hawkes-bay

And here is the wind map for the area:

https://www.windy.com/-39.190/177.902?-39.834,178.363,7,m:czQak5C


Looks like after today, the rain picks up for the next 2 days and then clears out for the remainder of their window.

EDIT:Typo
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: wardy89 on 01/20/2018 11:54 pm
https://www.windy.com/?200h,-42.196,173.573,6,m:czrak5B has upper lever wind prediction are currently round 55 kts at 11.5 km but potentially increasing a bit.

At this stage as far as i am aware we have no idea what the upper level wind/wind shear constraints are for the vehicle?

edit: Changing link
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 01/21/2018 12:18 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954885284654493696
Quote from: Rocket Lab
Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1, LOX fill is complete and we are currently targeting no earlier than 14:43 NZDT (17:43 PT/ 20:43 ET / 01:43 UTC). #StillTesting
Title: Re: SCRUB: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 20, 2018
Post by: tleski on 01/21/2018 12:19 am
Responding to a question about livestream

@lesgates Stay tuned, coming soon.
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/954885671759486976
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:21 am
Here's the photo from Twitter.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Req on 01/21/2018 12:23 am
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954885284654493696

@RocketLab
Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1, LOX fill is complete and we are currently targeting no earlier than 14:43 NZDT (17:43 PT/ 20:43 ET / 01:43 UTC). #StillTesting


Live stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg5234BOED8
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:27 am
Starting soon.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:29 am
Webcast has started.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/21/2018 12:30 am
Good at T-14 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:30 am
T-14 minutes. Talking about the two rogue vessels. Took longer than expected to be cleared. No boats in the range.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2018 12:31 am
Upper level winds are close to but currently not exceeding limits.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:31 am
T-13 minutes. Concern with upper level winds.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: lrk on 01/21/2018 12:32 am
Strongback is retracting.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:32 am
T-12 minutes. Beginning strongback retraction.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:33 am
T-11 minutes. Strongback fully retracted.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:34 am
T-10 minutes. New class of vehicle for smaller spacecraft.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:35 am
T-9 minutes. RocketLab will also be doing rideshare missions.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:36 am
T-8 minutes. Talking about history of RocketLab.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:37 am
T-7 minutes. RocketLab wants enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:38 am
T-6 minutes. Waiting for a go on weather.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:39 am
T-5 minutes. Clock is still counting.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:40 am
T-4 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:41 am
T-3 minutes. All quiet.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:42 am
T-2 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: lrk on 01/21/2018 12:42 am
Some sort of LOX purge seems to be happening. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:43 am
T-1 minute. LOX and Kero press.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:44 am
Liftoff!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/21/2018 12:44 am
LAUNCH!!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:45 am
T+1 minute.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/21/2018 12:46 am
MaxQ
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:46 am
T+2 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:47 am
Separation.

T+3 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/21/2018 12:47 am
Staging and fairing.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:48 am
T+4 minutes. No roll this time.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:49 am
T+5 minutes. 2 km/s.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:50 am
T+6 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:51 am
Ejecting.

T+7 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:52 am
T+8 minutes.

Engine shutdown.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:53 am
Confirmation of orbit deploy and insertion.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:54 am
End of webcast.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/21/2018 12:54 am
Congrats to Rocket Lab on getting Electron into orbit on the second try!

I'm extremely proud of their accomplishment!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Jarnis on 01/21/2018 12:55 am
Congrats to Rocketlab for their first orbital launch. Took a lot fewer attempts than Falcon 1!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:55 am
"Rocket Lab
‏Electron is orbital. Successful payload deployment. #StillTesting"

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954894734136258560
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Unobscured Vision on 01/21/2018 12:55 am
VERY nice launch. :) And those have to be THE nicest-looking engine bells ever.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jamesh9000 on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congratulations Rocket Lab! I'm super proud to be a kiwi today!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris-A on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congregations to Rocket Lab
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: flyright on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congratulations Rocket Lab.
What an accomplishment!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: yg1968 on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congratulations Rocket Lab! This is what Falcon 1 should have been!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congrats to Rocketlab!

There was celebration in the control room at the end... then suddenly it stopped and there were some nervous looks... had me wondering. Seems like it was ok in the end!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Excellent. Was worth the wait.

Congrats to Rocket Lab.

Chris G's article updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/rocket-lab-second-electron-launch/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: IanO on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congratulations on the first orbital success for RocketLab's Electron!

Ejecting.

T+7 minutes.
This came right after a "Hotswap" callout.

Is this ejection of depleted battery packs for the electric propellant pumps?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: SmallKing on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congrats to Rocketlab, Lunar we are coming
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: deadman719 on 01/21/2018 12:56 am
Congrats on a beautiful launch...well done.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: lrk on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Congrats to all involved on a seemingly-flawless first orbital success and first commercial mission! 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Ejecting.

T+7 minutes.

Apparently an external battery pack for the second stage engine (?).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Well they have become the first of the new breed of small satellite launchers to finally prove themselves. Congratulations!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
What an incredible feat.  First all-composite to orbit, first electric-cycle to orbit, and of course, first Kiwi to orbit.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved.  Wishing RL the best of luck with their plans for the future!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: JazzFan on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Congrats and can't wait to see the launcher used at other sites.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Congratulations to RocketLab, Spire and Planet Labs for the successful launch!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Congrats to Rocket Lab!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Many congratulations to Rocket Lab!

Fantastic launch and an amazing achievement on only their second attempt. Bravo!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: HVM on 01/21/2018 12:57 am
Kiwis can fly after all...

Congrats to Rocket Lab!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Llian Rhydderch on 01/21/2018 12:58 am
Congrats to RocketLab.  Super to see the small launchers coming along.

Keep the economics in the right zone, and the biz will come to you!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Mark McCombs on 01/21/2018 12:58 am
Congrats to Rocket Labs for their first orbital launch and satellite deployment.

Thanks to Steven and NSF for the coverage.

 8)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Journeyman on 01/21/2018 12:58 am
Big Congratulations to a successful launch to orbit!

This is only the second commercial company that have successfully acheived an orbital launch after SpaceX if I'm not mistaken :)

BRAVO!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: tleski on 01/21/2018 12:58 am
What a beautiful launch. Congrats to Rocketlab!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: hartspace on 01/21/2018 12:58 am
Well done, RocketLab.  Solid flight with mission success on the 2nd flight.  I hadn't expected that ejection late in the 2nd stage flight, but since they were applauding, I figured that it was expected.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: northenarc on 01/21/2018 12:59 am
 Congrats to Rocket Lab, looking pretty sharp so far, hopefully they will start to get a more regular launch cadence going once Electron is declared fully operational. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Joffan on 01/21/2018 12:59 am
Great job Rocket Lab, huge congratulations on a first orbital success with Electron. A very neat looking rocket.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: DaveS on 01/21/2018 12:59 am
Big Congratulations to a successful launch to orbit!

This is only the second commercial company that have successfully acheived an orbital launch after SpaceX if I'm not mistaken :)

BRAVO!
yes, and they did it on their second try.  SpaceX needed four tries before getting into orbit.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:01 am
Blue Origin’s director of business development and strategy:

Quote
Congratulations to the entire @RocketLab team (including Peter Beck) for achieving orbit and payload separation with the Electron launch vehicle...the small satellite revolution continues #StillTesting

https://twitter.com/ac_charania/status/954895592114671617
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:02 am
Quote
We've confirmed Dove Pioneer is successfully in orbit! More soon.

https://twitter.com/planetlabs/status/954895354360512513
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: lrk on 01/21/2018 01:03 am
I hadn't expected that ejection late in the 2nd stage flight, but since they were applauding, I figured that it was expected.

That was a very light payload to a rather low-energy orbit, implying a somewhat early shutdown... so I wouldn't be surprised if S2 had used slightly more than half its fuel at that point. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Bubbinski on 01/21/2018 01:06 am
Congratulations to Electron and Rocket Labs! Watching Electron's first 2 launches reminds me of SpaceX's first attempts. Hoping the launch prices go so low that hobbyists can build, launch, and control satellites in the not too distant future
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ZachF on 01/21/2018 01:09 am
Congrats to Rocketlab! And New Zealand! :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2018 01:09 am
I wonder if the Electron has just set the record for the lightest liquid fuel powered rocket to carry things into orbit. The rocket at liftoff is less than 13 tonnes!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/21/2018 01:14 am
Man, orbital on the SECOND TRY! That's awesome, remember that SpaceX didn't make it until try #4.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/21/2018 01:14 am
That looked absolutely fantastic.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: JH on 01/21/2018 01:21 am
I wonder if the Electron has just set the record for the lightest liquid fuel powered rocket to carry things into orbit. The rocket at liftoff is less than 13 tonnes!

Vanguard weighed less (~10 t), but its third stage was solid. Don't think anything else comes close.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: xyv on 01/21/2018 01:23 am
Gotta' say...much as a SpaceX fanboi as I tend to be...very cool - second try and in orbit, with deployed satellites.  Now there are two privately developed orbital launch systems.


.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 01:27 am
Full replay of launch from KiwiSpace Foundation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwi44sPAQDE
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/21/2018 01:28 am
Huge congrats to Rocket Labs for a success on their second try. That is SUPER IMPRESSIVE. Debuting a new pump tech is also really a feather in everyone's cap. Congrats!

Thanks to all who helped do coverage...
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:30 am
Quote
Congratulations to our friends at @RocketLab for their successful orbital launch today! The world needs more launch vehicles, especially dedicated small ones. Kudos!

https://twitter.com/virgin_orbit/status/954903503759032320
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: yokem55 on 01/21/2018 01:30 am
This was/is awesome. Congratulations to RocketLabs for successful launch!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: wholmeswa on 01/21/2018 01:38 am
Congratulations
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:42 am
Quote
Congratulations to @RocketLab for your first successful orbital launch! See you up there soon...

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/954896056722051073
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: WindnWar on 01/21/2018 01:44 am
Missed the livestream, but just watched the archive of it on Facebook since I couldn't find it on Youtube, awesome job. Way to make some proud Kiwi's.

Can't wait to see the final orbital parameters. Interesting approach of battery jettison to lighten the load too. Very cool. Hope they have many more successes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2018 01:47 am
The webcast has been archived at here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg5234BOED8
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:50 am
Quote
Speechless. Just like that, @rocketlab reaches orbit and sets a new bar for launch by reaching orbit on just their 2nd test. Today is a huge win for #electron #commercialspace, #smallsats, and #NZ. #StillTesting = #PassedTest

https://twitter.com/spireglobal/status/954906009507586048

Quote
Thanks to Peter Beck and his team @rocketlab for @spireglobal and @planetlabs be a part of the #StillTesting historic launch. So thrilled to be able to say "thanks for the ride" to a such a great group of people.

https://twitter.com/spireglobal/status/954906201677971457
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 01:51 am
Yes!

Quote
Huge congrats to @RocketLab for achieving orbit — massive milestone for that team & for the space renaissance! (& thanks for putting a @planetlabs dove in orbit- we’ve made contact & satellite is & v prelim orbit track looks good :)

https://twitter.com/wsm1/status/954907656841555968
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2018 02:17 am
One object from the Electron launch (43163/2018-010A) has already been found by NORAD in a 289 x 533 km x 82.93 deg. orbit.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/21/2018 02:34 am
Damn - I missed it... :'(
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/21/2018 02:54 am
Somewhere, RocketLab co-founder Mark Rocket is smiling. He put up a lot of seed money to get that company started way back when. He hasn't been involved for a number of years now and I'm slightly amused that publicity and history profiles from RocketLab often seem to go out of their way never to mention him! I haven't forgotten you, mate... ;)

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/801948844091023360/IkNiIf1Z_400x400.jpg

http://www.worldspaceweek.org.nz/2011/eventimages/resized_5f66ac9e37e65fcbb4b4b9ef336189b6.png

https://www.markrocket.com/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: darkenfast on 01/21/2018 03:05 am
Congratulations to RocketLab for a picture perfect launch!  I hope there's many more coming!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Brovane on 01/21/2018 03:46 am
Congrats Rocket Labs on the successful test. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: chewi on 01/21/2018 04:13 am
Quote
Rocket Lab @RocketLab (https://twitter.com/RocketLab) · 10m (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/954941841090031616)

Today marks the beginning of a new era in commercial access to space. Thank you to @planetlabs (https://twitter.com/planetlabs) and @SpireGlobal (https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal) for joining us on this ride. #Electron (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Electron?src=hash) #StillTesting (https://twitter.com/hashtag/StillTesting?src=hash) #PassedTheTest (https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassedTheTest?src=hash)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 01/21/2018 04:26 am
Damn - I missed it... :'(

I missed it too, but this is what I like about NSF, you can follow the thread with the video and replay the launch as though it happen live.  Thanks, everyone At NSF for doing a great job documenting this launch.  Best, Tony D.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/21/2018 04:31 am
Deployment photos from Spire here. Not quite sure how to interpret them... is this a sequence?

https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal/status/954911681817145344
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: TrevorMonty on 01/21/2018 05:40 am
Late congratulations to RL on successful launch.

Watch live in car on phone with surround sound via BT and car stereo, highly recommend especially sound.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 06:05 am
Quote
Spoke briefly this evening with Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck. A lot of data analysis ahead, but everything so far indicates the vehicle performed as planned, releasing the payloads into 300x500 km orbit “well within our commercial accuracy.”

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/954914537857339393

Quote
Beck’s previously said that, if this electron launch was successful, they’d go into commercial service. He said tonight the next launch will be in the “coming months” but did not disclose the payload.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/954914792581533696
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 06:17 am
Quote
Rocket Lab successfully reaches orbit and deploys payloads

Rocket Lab has successfully reached orbit with the test flight of its second Electron orbital launch vehicle, Still Testing. Electron lifted-off at 14:43 NZDT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Following successful first and second stage burns, Electron reached orbit and deployed customer payloads at 8 minutes and 31 seconds after lift-off.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era in commercial access to space. We’re thrilled to reach this milestone so quickly after our first test launch,” says Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck. “Our incredibly dedicated and talented team have worked tirelessly to develop, build and launch Electron. I’m immensely proud of what they have achieved today.”

“Reaching orbit on a second test flight is significant on its own, but successfully deploying customer payloads so early in a new rocket program is almost unprecedented. Rocket Lab was founded on the principal of opening access to space to better understand our planet and improve life on it. Today we took a significant step towards that,” he says.   

In the coming weeks Rocket Lab engineers will analyse the data from today’s launch to inform future launches. Rocket Lab currently has five Electron vehicles in production, with the next launch expected to take place in early 2018.  At full production, Rocket Lab expects to launch more than 50 times a year, and is regulated to launch up to 120 times a year, more than any other commercial or government launch provider in history.

Still Testing was carrying a Dove Pioneer Earth-imaging satellite for launch customer Planet, as well as two Lemur-2 satellites for weather and ship tracking company Spire.

Rocket Lab’s commercial phase will see Electron fly already-signed customers including NASA, Spire, Planet, Moon Express and Spaceflight.

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-reaches-orbit-and-deploys-payloads-january-21-2018/

Attached photos from Rocket Lab website
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ringsider on 01/21/2018 06:18 am
Fantastic. Fully deserved success. Elliptical orbit from the lack of circularization / restart.

Watching the S2 burn, about 25 mins into the video, I think they hot-swapped batteries and then eject used battery packs, which is a unique feature of Electron.

(https://i.imgur.com/mkBrlsd.png)

Jim Cantrell LOL.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Svetoslav on 01/21/2018 06:44 am
Congrats to Rocket Lab! I've never been more excited about the smallsat revolution. This is the future of spaceflight!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: A12 on 01/21/2018 09:05 am
Nice small rocket and brilliant achievement !
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/21/2018 09:18 am
Quote
Congratulations @RocketLab! You rock! #electron

https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/955018897190768647
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: wardy89 on 01/21/2018 09:27 am
awesome! congratulations Rocket Labs! from the outside looked like a really nice launch.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: SciNews on 01/21/2018 09:35 am
Video summary of the Electron Still Testing Launch, 21 January 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPcsZgmTRrg
Congratulations to Rocket Lab!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: input~2 on 01/21/2018 09:37 am
So far 5 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM

2018-010A/43163 in 288 x 533 km x 82.93°
2018-010C/43165 in 495 x 534 km x 82.92°
2018-010D/43166 in 292 x 526 km x 83.93°
2018-010E/43167 in 501 x 534 km x 82.93°
2018-010F/43168 in 295 x 532 km x 82.93°
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Kosmos2001 on 01/21/2018 09:41 am
It was too late for me but it totally worth to stay awake and witness this fantastic achievement. Congratulations to RL team!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: mtakala24 on 01/21/2018 10:04 am
Late congratulations to Rocketlab from Finland too!

It seems that information of the attempt started to trickle down just after I had gone to sleep...
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: kevinof on 01/21/2018 10:29 am
Fantastic. Well done RL. That's one "sporty" rocket you have there.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Silmfeanor on 01/21/2018 10:37 am
Congratulations to rocketlab! Amazing feat- kiwis can fly!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 01/21/2018 10:39 am
Looked like a picture perfect launch! That battery pack hot-swap and ejection sure is different.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Jarnis on 01/21/2018 10:55 am
So far 5 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM

2018-010A/43163 in 288 x 533 km x 82.93°
2018-010C/43165 in 495 x 534 km x 82.92°
2018-010D/43166 in 292 x 526 km x 83.93°
2018-010E/43167 in 501 x 534 km x 82.93°
2018-010F/43168 in 295 x 532 km x 82.93°

This is odd. Did the second stage do a restart test after payload deploy, or how are these possible? 3x ~290x530 are probably the 3 sats, but the 2 others...?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: AncientU on 01/21/2018 11:33 am
Congrats Rocket Lab!!!  Electron is a brilliant addition* to the world of rocketry.
So much for Still Testing... on with the show.

* and a nice birthday present.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: whatever11235 on 01/21/2018 11:48 am
So far 5 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM

2018-010A/43163 in 288 x 533 km x 82.93°
2018-010C/43165 in 495 x 534 km x 82.92°
2018-010D/43166 in 292 x 526 km x 83.93°
2018-010E/43167 in 501 x 534 km x 82.93°
2018-010F/43168 in 295 x 532 km x 82.93°

This is odd. Did the second stage do a restart test after payload deploy, or how are these possible? 3x ~290x530 are probably the 3 sats, but the 2 others...?

Battery packs ejected few seconds before S2 shutdown?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: HVM on 01/21/2018 12:08 pm
1 minute and 38 seconds is not "few seconds", in the battery eject call out is "V: 4.6 km/s" and just before SECO it's "V: 7.0 km/s"...
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 01/21/2018 12:27 pm
Very impressive performance by Rocket Lab, nothing like achieving 100% success on the second flight for any rocket company (let alone a new one like Rocket Labs without government help)

I also find it really cool that the payload on this flight consists of companies that didn't even exist a decade ago. Space is changing!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: input~2 on 01/21/2018 12:45 pm
So far 5 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM

2018-010A/43163 in 288 x 533 km x 82.93°
2018-010C/43165 in 495 x 534 km x 82.92°
2018-010D/43166 in 292 x 526 km x 83.93°
2018-010E/43167 in 501 x 534 km x 82.93°
2018-010F/43168 in 295 x 532 km x 82.93°

This is odd. Did the second stage do a restart test after payload deploy, or how are these possible? 3x ~290x530 are probably the 3 sats, but the 2 others...?


Quote
A Rocket Lab spokesperson said the company will release information in the coming days about additional items carried on the launch.
source (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/21/rocket-lab-delivers-nanosatellites-to-orbit-on-first-successful-test-launch/)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: john smith 19 on 01/21/2018 01:24 pm
Congratulations to Rocket Lab.

It's not just they are quite a small company with limited funding, it's that no rocket has achieved orbit with battery powered electric motor driven pumps, or a CFRP LOX tank  ever.

That does not make them the State of the Art.

It makes them the Start of the Art. In both areas. IIRC only Rotary Rocket came close to building orbital size and weight CFRP LOX tanks.

Long may their string of successful launches continue.  :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: punder on 01/21/2018 01:46 pm
Belated congrats to Rocket Lab! Beautiful launch.

Not too long ago, it took whole nation-states to do what you just did!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/21/2018 01:57 pm
Belated congratulations as missed the live launch.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/21/2018 02:53 pm
Congratulations to the Rocket Lab team!  It is heart-warming to see small-business innovation and tenacity succeed!

And thank you to the NSF coverage contributors, particularly Chris B, Chris G, and Steven!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: calapine on 01/21/2018 03:03 pm
Missed the launch, just watched it now.

The battery staging is a neat trick. I created a GIF and MP4 of the moment:

(https://i.imgur.com/T2J0a1K.gif)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: albatros68 on 01/21/2018 03:40 pm
I used to admire Kiwis for their All Blacks Rugby team. Now I congratulate them For their Electron Satellite Launcher
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: deruch on 01/21/2018 04:15 pm
Congratulations Rocket Lab!!  First of the next generation of small sat launchers to orbit!  Very exciting times ahead.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/21/2018 04:35 pm
Brilliant success! No roll/deviation from prior launch attempt, better performance/guidance, solid launch with minimal artifacts present. Looks like they did their homework from last launch, worth the wait to get it right.

And they beat SX in getting to an operable vehicle in a fraction of the time from vehicle on pad.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: rickl on 01/21/2018 04:53 pm
Congratulations to Rocket Lab!

I hate to admit that while I was dimly aware of their existence, I hadn't been paying attention to Rocket Lab or Electron.  I've been scrambling this morning playing catch-up and trying to educate myself.

I am really sorry I missed it.  This would have been a fun one to watch live.


Edit:  I looked at the calendar yesterday and didn't see a launch listed.  Did they make the attempt with little advance notice?  If so, that's a good thing, because it means they are agile.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: e of pi on 01/21/2018 05:09 pm
Edit:  I looked at the calendar yesterday and didn't see a launch listed.  Did they make the attempt with little advance notice?  If so, that's a good thing, because it means they are agile.
They've been trying for the last few days, and it may not have been copied over after their attempt on the 19/20th. Still, congratulations to them, it looked really good!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Archibald on 01/21/2018 05:58 pm
Wonderful ! Kudos to rocketlab !
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/21/2018 06:04 pm
Missed the launch, just watched it now.

The battery staging is a neat trick. I created a GIF and MP4 of the moment:

(https://i.imgur.com/T2J0a1K.gif)

Does this show two battery packs ejected?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Semmel on 01/21/2018 07:49 pm
Congratulations Rocket Lab! First time orbital! Whooohoooooo! :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: HVM on 01/21/2018 07:50 pm
...

Speaking as an electrical engineer, I can tell you that the "hot swap" was a very big deal.  There's a reason they were applauding in the control room...

72 KW ~ 9 electric sauna stoves, doesn't sound so bad.

(Ok if you need put a considerable amount of kerosene and LOX thought those stoves in mach 13, then it can bit tricky)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: AStick on 01/21/2018 08:36 pm
Sorry about that.  All 6 objects can be seen now on space-track.org.  3 circular, 3 elliptical.  2 payloads and 1 rocket body in each area. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/21/2018 08:48 pm
Sorry about that.  All 6 objects can be seen now on space-track.org.  3 circular, 3 elliptical.  2 payloads and 1 rocket body in each area.
Implies some kind of payload assist propulsion for circularization (the second rocket body).
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/21/2018 08:55 pm
Deployment photos from Spire here. Not quite sure how to interpret them... is this a sequence?

https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal/status/954911681817145344

Looks like a stereo shot so that you can see it in 3-D.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/21/2018 09:46 pm
Sorry about that.  All 6 objects can be seen now on space-track.org.  3 circular, 3 elliptical.  2 payloads and 1 rocket body in each area.
Implies some kind of payload assist propulsion for circularization (the second rocket body).
Maybe that's the stage 3 they referenced in callouts? A stage that's part of the payload mass that circularized those two nanobirds?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/21/2018 10:34 pm
Implies some kind of payload assist propulsion for circularization (the second rocket body).
Maybe that's the stage 3 they referenced in callouts? A stage that's part of the payload mass that circularized those two nanobirds?

Aha, good call. I was wondering what stage 3 meant... at the time I had assume some strange nomenclature for the payload...
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/22/2018 12:42 am
Quote
Limited edition "I never want to hold again" tees available for pre-order now. 48 hours only. 
https://twitter.com/RocketLab

Way to capitalize on a (probably) iconic moment.

Quote from: RocketLab
Transcript from Rocket Lab 'Still Testing' attempt
"Flight VMS, mission coord..."
"Go ahead, VMS"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"Say again"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"I... didn't get'cha. One more time."
"Do you want any hold points? As in, do you want to hold again at T-... 18, or 20?"
"I never want to hold again."

Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Synmalan on 01/22/2018 04:10 am
It seems that Rocket Lab has put in orbit something it has not previously announced during this amazing mission:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/did-we-put-in-space-rocket-lab-boss-says-mysterious-payload-aboard-electron

We will know more about it very soon :)

Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Flying Beaver on 01/22/2018 04:33 am
It seems that Rocket Lab has put in orbit something it has not previously announced during this amazing mission:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/did-we-put-in-space-rocket-lab-boss-says-mysterious-payload-aboard-electron

We will know more about it very soon :)

Matchbox Roadster? Radioflyer Model S?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/22/2018 04:35 am
The Rutherford would only need to burn for one second or less to provide that delta-v, which seems unlikely given the obvious (to me) aim to finely target the "standard" 500 km circular orbit given in the Electron users guide in this test. 

Do you mean you think they were trying for circular? That would have made sense to me, but the comments from Peter Beck in the Spacenews article seem to suggest they performed as planned... (http://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-electron-reaches-orbit-on-second-launch/)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: slavvy on 01/22/2018 06:39 am
It seems that Rocket Lab has put in orbit something it has not previously announced during this amazing mission:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/did-we-put-in-space-rocket-lab-boss-says-mysterious-payload-aboard-electron

We will know more about it very soon :)

Matchbox Roadster? Radioflyer Model S?
A satellite in the form of a Kiwi bird. And I'm not joking.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ictogan on 01/22/2018 07:11 am
Quote
Limited edition "I never want to hold again" tees available for pre-order now. 48 hours only. 
https://twitter.com/RocketLab

Way to capitalize on a (probably) iconic moment.

Quote from: RocketLab
Transcript from Rocket Lab 'Still Testing' attempt
"Flight VMS, mission coord..."
"Go ahead, VMS"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"Say again"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"I... didn't get'cha. One more time."
"Do you want any hold points? As in, do you want to hold again at T-... 18, or 20?"
"I never want to hold again."
I'd buy that shirt immediately if Rocketlab was shipping to Europe :(.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Kryten on 01/22/2018 08:04 am
Sorry about that.  All 6 objects can be seen now on space-track.org.  3 circular, 3 elliptical.  2 payloads and 1 rocket body in each area.
Implies some kind of payload assist propulsion for circularization (the second rocket body).
Maybe that's the stage 3 they referenced in callouts? A stage that's part of the payload mass that circularized those two nanobirds?
There have been images in their site showing a small third stage, though I have never seen a reference to it in writing.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: francesco nicoli on 01/22/2018 09:11 am
may I ask something?

I fail do understand the hype for a launcher with a kg cost over 32.000 dollars per kg, with no reusability. Can someone explain me what is the "social" value of it?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Nomic on 01/22/2018 10:22 am
Congratulations to all involved, smooth launch in the end.

From the way the contrail was blown around looks like it dealt with some strong high level winds. Very clean plume as well without smoky gas generator exhaust. 3rd stages make a lot of sense of small launchers, even if its just a little pressure fed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ictogan on 01/22/2018 11:06 am
may I ask something?

I fail do understand the hype for a launcher with a kg cost over 32.000 dollars per kg, with no reusability. Can someone explain me what is the "social" value of it?
Tell me on which vehicle I can launch a 100-200kg satellite cheaper than on Electron. Of course the $/kg is bad compared to a F9 loaded to its full capability, but launching a <1t payload on an F9/Atlas V/whatever will still be worse $/kg than electron.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ringsider on 01/22/2018 11:21 am
I fail do understand the hype for a launcher with a kg cost over 32.000 dollars per kg, with no reusability. Can someone explain me what is the "social" value of it?

This class is about responsive launch, not  cost per kilo. It is like a taxi vs. a bus - some people want to pay more for a dedicated ride going when they want to go, rather than pay a bus fare and waiting months or years, especially when they are young commercial operations who need to be in orbit to make money.

Reusability in this class in my opinion is a weak case. The cost of recovery and re-furbishment of the naked stage (from the sea) would be more than building a new core I expect. Landing it like Spacex is an investment that increases cost and complexity, as well as the size of the vehicle.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/22/2018 11:49 am
may I ask something?

I fail do understand the hype for a launcher with a kg cost over 32.000 dollars per kg, with no reusability. Can someone explain me what is the "social" value of it?

Andy Weir explains this quite nicely in the below FB post. FedEx costs more than a full container per kgm but is better suited to small deliveries.

https://www.facebook.com/AndyWeirAuthor/posts/1439307242835230

I got their T-shirt... they don't take PayPal. I tweeted them that it's OK, Elon isn't making any money from PayPal any more..
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Kosmos2001 on 01/22/2018 11:54 am
Reusability in this class in my opinion is a weak case. The cost of recovery and re-furbishment of the naked stage (from the sea) would be more than building a new core I expect.

With the introduction of new 3D printer techniques I don't know whether it is better to refurbish or to build again.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: e of pi on 01/22/2018 12:46 pm
With the introduction of new 3D printer techniques I don't know whether it is better to refurbish or to build again.
I work in additive and have some idea what my shop would quote for just the three or four main engine pieces they've talked about printing. Those could easily push the price of a single engine north of $50-100k, which is pricey and in a way which may not scale down much with volume (there's less optimization potential between printing one of a part and ten than in the difference between machining/casting one piece and machining/casting ten). The same could be true for the composite tanks.

With nine electric pumped engines on the first stage (possibly easier to start since the pump can be started independent of propellant flow and probably throttle more easily), they'd seem well-set to adapt to landing. If they don't, I'd wonder how long it is before somebody adopts reuse in their market segment--there's some options which might not need to be expensive.Jon Goff had a piece a couple years ago about the idea of working with Blue Origin to fly a smallsat launcher as upper stages on New Shepard. (http://selenianboondocks.com/2016/01/random-thoughts-new-shepard-for-pop-up-tsto-nanosat-launch/) To take Andy Wier's analogy, it doesn't do any good to be FedEx and offering to ship a book for $50 if DHL comes onto the scene and offers to ship the same book for $25.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: AncientU on 01/22/2018 01:17 pm
may I ask something?

I fail do understand the hype for a launcher with a kg cost over 32.000 dollars per kg, with no reusability. Can someone explain me what is the "social" value of it?

Andy Weir explains this quite nicely in the below FB post. FedEx costs more than a full container per kgm but is better suited to small deliveries.

https://www.facebook.com/AndyWeirAuthor/posts/1439307242835230

I got their T-shirt... they don't take PayPal. I tweeted them that it's OK, Elon isn't making any money from PayPal any more..

It also puts another low cost launch service company in the market. 
They may stay small, or diversify with larger offering(s).

There are 20ish small sat launch companies competing for this market... it will be fierce, but the winners will be strong and agile competitors.  We need a few more of these.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: TrevorMonty on 01/22/2018 01:24 pm
Besides RL there are a few up and coming small LV companies that think ELVs are cheaper than RLV for small LV. If they can automate production enough then it may well be case.
The production cost of Electron could fall to well under $1M. 3D Engine are less complex than car engine and they only cost few $1000. Rest of vehicle is mainly composite tanks, fairing, avionics and plumbing with associated valves etc, lot less parts than modern car with all its bells and whistles.

With RLV the booster needs to be 30-50% bigger, will be lot more expensive as it low volume item. Expendable US is 50% or larger as it needs to do more work than ELV US to make up for lower DV from booster. While high volume item it can't benefit from high engine production rate of ELV.
Eg 100 engines per 10 Electrons compared to 19 larger engines per 10 RLV launches. Allowed for 9 new booster engines every 10 flights.

Launch costs, fairing, payload intergration are similar for both vehicles, slight higher for larger RLV.

 RLV have added recovery and refurbishment costs, plus lot large development costs to be recovered.

The $4.9M launch price is what market can handle,  not necessary reflection of actual build cost. They also need healthy profit to recover development costs of $150m, which would be same or more for RLV.


Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: RDoc on 01/22/2018 02:34 pm
WRT reuse: Isn't Vector planning to do mid air recovery of the first stage as it descends by parachute? That doesn't sound like it would add a lot of mass to the launcher.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ringsider on 01/22/2018 02:39 pm
They sent the three cubesats to their planned 300 x 500 km orbits (roughly), then the mission continued with an unannounced, non-webcast phase that circularized at 500 km and deployed one or two somethings.  My guess is that the "secret" part of the mission was a test, a demonstration of capabilities needed for future missions.

That "secret" apogee insertion, BTW, should have happened over the Mid-Atlantic somewhere.  I wonder if they used a tracking station during that phase, and if so which one.

Agree with this. All they needed to do publically was show they can get to orbit and deploy sats. Anything else that might cause a "failure" might as well be tried in secret, because if it works e.g. kick stage or circular orbit, they can announce it later, and if it doesn't, the launch was still a 100% public success. Clever.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ictogan on 01/22/2018 02:45 pm
WRT reuse: Isn't Vector planning to do mid air recovery of the first stage as it descends by parachute? That doesn't sound like it would add a lot of mass to the launcher.
SpaceX tried that on the first F9 flights, turned out that reentry destroyed the stages before the parachutes got a chance to deploy. But smaller vehicles might have a better chance at it due to having lower ballistic coefficients and thus lower speeds on reentry (kinda the same thing that allows SX's fairings to survive reentry).
Also salt water and rocket engines typically don't like each other.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/22/2018 04:10 pm
They sent the three cubesats to their planned 300 x 500 km orbits (roughly), then the mission continued with an unannounced, non-webcast phase that circularized at 500 km and deployed one or two somethings.  My guess is that the "secret" part of the mission was a test, a demonstration of capabilities needed for future missions.

Thanks for the explanation. I guess they must have had some reason to doubt a restart, and therefore wanted to make sure they could still declare success even if that failed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Bubbinski on 01/22/2018 06:50 pm
WRT reuse: Isn't Vector planning to do mid air recovery of the first stage as it descends by parachute? That doesn't sound like it would add a lot of mass to the launcher.
SpaceX tried that on the first F9 flights, turned out that reentry destroyed the stages before the parachutes got a chance to deploy. But smaller vehicles might have a better chance at it due to having lower ballistic coefficients and thus lower speeds on reentry (kinda the same thing that allows SX's fairings to survive reentry).
Also salt water and rocket engines typically don't like each other.

Could a SpaceX like boost back burn followed by a grid fin controlled reentry make parachute or mid-air recovery viable for something like the Electron? (Of course maybe SpaceX has patented it so they’d need to pay a license fee?, or find some other method like an enormous streamer or foldout helicopter blades?)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/22/2018 08:09 pm
...

Speaking as an electrical engineer, I can tell you that the "hot swap" was a very big deal.  There's a reason they were applauding in the control room...

72 KW ~ 9 electric sauna stoves, doesn't sound so bad.

(Ok if you need put a considerable amount of kerosene and LOX thought those stoves in mach 13, then it can bit tricky)
I picture the electric pumps as being roughly equivalent to an electric drivetrain in a car. Power should be roughly similar.

I'm not an electrical engineer, but what strikes me as difficult is that battery voltage will fall as it discharges, meaning cutting in the other battery is tricky since it will be at its fully charged open circuit voltage. Connecting batteries with different voltages in parallel is usually to be avoided. DC-DC voltage conversion to allow different batteries at different voltages is possible but doing it at probably 100+ KW would have significant dry mass penalty.

So it seems like they figured out a way to manage the transition with the engine running at high power, without disrupting propellant flow. Gotta agree with Ed, that caught my attention as well. Not obvious to me what they even did. Just had them connected simultaneously for a couple milliseconds?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chasm on 01/22/2018 08:19 pm
Besides RL there are a few up and coming small LV companies that think ELVs are cheaper than RLV for small LV. If they can automate production enough then it may well be case.

65 companies/start ups are currently working on small launch vehicles. 30 of those are of mostly unknown status.
(As presented on the 97th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. January 7–11, 2018 Washington DC)

Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ictogan on 01/22/2018 08:47 pm
Could a SpaceX like boost back burn followed by a grid fin controlled reentry make parachute or mid-air recovery viable for something like the Electron? (Of course maybe SpaceX has patented it so they’d need to pay a license fee?, or find some other method like an enormous streamer or foldout helicopter blades?)
If you are already using grid fins and in-air relight capability, it would save on complexity and possibly weight to just soft land using the engines - assuming that the engines can be throttled within a decent range.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 01/22/2018 10:13 pm
...

Speaking as an electrical engineer, I can tell you that the "hot swap" was a very big deal.  There's a reason they were applauding in the control room...

72 KW ~ 9 electric sauna stoves, doesn't sound so bad.

(Ok if you need put a considerable amount of kerosene and LOX thought those stoves in mach 13, then it can bit tricky)
I picture the electric pumps as being roughly equivalent to an electric drivetrain in a car. Power should be roughly similar.

I'm not an electrical engineer, but what strikes me as difficult is that battery voltage will fall as it discharges, meaning cutting in the other battery is tricky since it will be at its fully charged open circuit voltage. Connecting batteries with different voltages in parallel is usually to be avoided. DC-DC voltage conversion to allow different batteries at different voltages is possible but doing it at probably 100+ KW would have significant dry mass penalty.

So it seems like they figured out a way to manage the transition with the engine running at high power, without disrupting propellant flow. Gotta agree with Ed, that caught my attention as well. Not obvious to me what they even did. Just had them connected simultaneously for a couple milliseconds?
There are probably a thousand was of doing it, the only trick is keeping the weight down. I doubt the switching would even need to be that fast given the momentum in the system.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 01/22/2018 10:18 pm
Could a SpaceX like boost back burn followed by a grid fin controlled reentry make parachute or mid-air recovery viable for something like the Electron? (Of course maybe SpaceX has patented it so they’d need to pay a license fee?, or find some other method like an enormous streamer or foldout helicopter blades?)
If you are already using grid fins and in-air relight capability, it would save on complexity and possibly weight to just soft land using the engines - assuming that the engines can be throttled within a decent range.
Rocket Lab has stated that they have no plans to make Electron recoverable.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/22/2018 11:38 pm
A small, recoverable vehicle can be done by a completely different strategy than RL and Vector use with expendables.

RL is about concise execution of minimal LV propulsion/frame/tanks with very narrow manufacturing/materials, so watching them bring it off was like that of an extremely narrow program that was brought in over time to hit the numbers *exactly*.

(Vector seems to be about stretching a marginal approach (pressure fed polypropylene lox props/tank/structure) to barely meet minimums.) Perhaps top down vs bottom up.

If you were to do a small recoverable vehicle, you'd have a combined bottom up and top down approach, where you'd be reusing the same CF airframe, but replacing portions to extend the dynamic range of the vehicle after each recovery. This would be the long way round the barn to prove systems to reach orbit, but highly economical at each step (due to reuse).

You'd worry about never getting there. (Although everyone, including ULA and SX does that with new/next vehicles.)

The key to it would be a highly dynamic risk regime, especially WRT props/materials/engine, because you'd need significant propulsion margin to get somewhere significant soon enough to matter. Likely a lot of "booms" at the beginning.

SX had most of their booms in the middle of the program. ULA will likely have no booms.

So this would be more like Armadillo or Masten. They all have considerably different approaches.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/22/2018 11:51 pm
Could a SpaceX like boost back burn followed by a grid fin controlled reentry make parachute or mid-air recovery viable for something like the Electron? (Of course maybe SpaceX has patented it so they’d need to pay a license fee?, or find some other method like an enormous streamer or foldout helicopter blades?)
SpaceX doesn't patent things. So others can copy. If they can solve the problems without knowing the details. They have an existence proof to guide them though.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: gin455res on 01/22/2018 11:57 pm
...

Speaking as an electrical engineer, I can tell you that the "hot swap" was a very big deal.  There's a reason they were applauding in the control room...

72 KW ~ 9 electric sauna stoves, doesn't sound so bad.

(Ok if you need put a considerable amount of kerosene and LOX thought those stoves in mach 13, then it can bit tricky)
I picture the electric pumps as being roughly equivalent to an electric drivetrain in a car. Power should be roughly similar.

I'm not an electrical engineer, but what strikes me as difficult is that battery voltage will fall as it discharges, meaning cutting in the other battery is tricky since it will be at its fully charged open circuit voltage. Connecting batteries with different voltages in parallel is usually to be avoided. DC-DC voltage conversion to allow different batteries at different voltages is possible but doing it at probably 100+ KW would have significant dry mass penalty.

So it seems like they figured out a way to manage the transition with the engine running at high power, without disrupting propellant flow. Gotta agree with Ed, that caught my attention as well. Not obvious to me what they even did. Just had them connected simultaneously for a couple milliseconds?

I imagine the smaller fuel pump slowing down quicker than the oxidizer pump. Could the inertia of the oxidiser pump bridge the gap and also act as a generator briefly to keep the fuel pump slowing at the same rate as the oxidizer?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Patchouli on 01/23/2018 12:01 am
WRT reuse: Isn't Vector planning to do mid air recovery of the first stage as it descends by parachute? That doesn't sound like it would add a lot of mass to the launcher.

I think parachutes would be lighter for a small vehicle than a fuel reserve for powered landing as they work better at small scales while for larger vehicle the square cube law helps with propellant volume.


Rocket Lab has stated that they have no plans to make Electron recoverable.
Not really enough margin for recovery systems who knows maybe they might consider playing recovery on the next vehicle.
But the Rutherford would be a lot cheaper to manufacture than a turbo pump engine as it would have no hot side turbo machinery.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/23/2018 12:15 am
DC motors typically stop near instantly. Gas generator / expander driven turbines spool down slowly with a tail-off of thrust.

Closed cycle engines shutdown very precisely on a ramp down, otherwise they go boom.

(Observing with a telescope the shutdown of US engines during twilight launches allows you to see this detail - likewise start-up, when props flood a downrange ebbing plume of the booster.)

One likely benefit of an electric pump engine is short tail-off, which means greater precision on avoiding overburn, as the software can better estimate the resultant. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: abaddon on 01/23/2018 02:59 am
I know I’m (very) LTTP but - Congratulations Rocket Lab!  Well done!  She’s a beaut.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/23/2018 04:12 am
FYI, there is a more general RocketLab Electron thread here:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35300.0
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 01/23/2018 04:40 am
Quote
Limited edition "I never want to hold again" tees available for pre-order now. 48 hours only. 
https://twitter.com/RocketLab

Way to capitalize on a (probably) iconic moment.

Quote from: RocketLab
Transcript from Rocket Lab 'Still Testing' attempt
"Flight VMS, mission coord..."
"Go ahead, VMS"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"Say again"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"I... didn't get'cha. One more time."
"Do you want any hold points? As in, do you want to hold again at T-... 18, or 20?"
"I never want to hold again."
I'd buy that shirt immediately if Rocketlab was shipping to Europe :(.

Now the video...

Rocket Lab - Still Testing Launch Attempt "I NEVER WANT TO HOLD AGAIN"


Rocket Lab
Published on Jan 22, 2018


Transcript from Rocket Lab 'Still Testing' attempt 20.01.2018
"Flight VMS, mission coord..."
"Go ahead, VMS"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"Say again"
"Do you want any hold points?"
"I... didn't get'cha. One more time."
"Do you want any hold points? As in, do you want to hold again at T-... 18, or 20?"
"I never want to hold again."

Limited edition "I never want to hold again" tees available for pre-order now. 48 hours only - https://shop.rocketlabusa.com/collections/men/products/48-hr-pre-order-mens-i-never-want-to-hold-again-t-shirt-black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fon8RmP9Qew?t=001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fon8RmP9Qew
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Req on 01/23/2018 04:56 am
I'm not an electrical engineer, but why wouldn't you just have the pumps running off of capacitors to solve any voltage drop or hot swap complications?

Edit: Batteries->capacitors->pumps
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/23/2018 06:48 am
Capacitors could do it, though they'd probably need to be big though and designed for high voltage.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: chewi on 01/23/2018 05:11 pm
Rocket Lab Reveals Secret Engine and "Kick Stage" for the Electron Rocket
http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a15854376/rocket-lab-engine-kick-stage-electron-rocket/ (http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a15854376/rocket-lab-engine-kick-stage-electron-rocket/)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 01/23/2018 05:11 pm
Quote
RocketLab: We successfully tested a previously unannounced kick stage on the "Still Testing" Electron launch, using it to circularize the orbits of the two Spire Lemur-2 CubeSats on board.

https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/955863191686402048
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jcm on 01/23/2018 05:17 pm
Rocket Lab Reveals Secret Engine and "Kick Stage" for the Electron Rocket
http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a15854376/rocket-lab-engine-kick-stage-electron-rocket/ (http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a15854376/rocket-lab-engine-kick-stage-electron-rocket/)

Interesting. This explains the three high orbit objects and two of the three low orbit objects. We still have one
object unaccounted for (could just be a small piece of debris)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: yg1968 on 01/23/2018 05:49 pm
An article on the performance of the kick stage:

http://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launch-also-tested-new-kick-stage/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: acsawdey on 01/23/2018 06:01 pm
Capacitors could do it, though they'd probably need to be big though and designed for high voltage.

These are multiphase brushless DC motors which typically have a controller driving each phase connection either to ground or the DC supply with a H-bridge driver. You'd generally have some capacitance right by the drivers anyway. Hot-swap is just using probably some kind of high reliability relay to switch the dc supply. Probably the motor controller won't notice or will compensate as long as the logic power supply to it is clean. The motor speed and power are closed-loop controlled, the motor will either have a hall effect sensor to see the position of the rotor, or the controller may just use a sensorless scheme where it uses the back-emf to see what the rotor is doing.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: gongora on 01/23/2018 06:15 pm
The kick stage has avionics and RCS on board.  I wonder if that is the guidance for the entire Electron vehicle, and if that is also the RCS used during second stage flight. 

That would certainly be the cheapest way to do it.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Comga on 01/23/2018 07:17 pm
The kick stage has avionics and RCS on board.  I wonder if that is the guidance for the entire Electron vehicle, and if that is also the RCS used during second stage flight. 

A mean trick Rocket Lab pulled there, I think, making us all think it was a successful launch while the actual flight with 2/3rds of the payloads continued for another 40 minutes.  I wonder if they would have told us if a failure had occurred during that black-out phase.

I wonder, too, how this kick stage affects the claimed performance (150 kg to a 500 km sun synchronous orbit).  This flight only carried 13 kg of payload.  Perhaps much of the payload capability was used up by having the kick stage on board.

 - Ed Kyle

What did you mean by  "mean"?
 
The advantage of private enterprise.  They don't have to tell us a thing.
We, on the other hand, have to give them kudos and respect.

This explains the "third stage" or "stage 3" callout heard during the countdown.
Putting all of the avionics in the kick stage could have several advantages.

NASA's Green Propellant Infusion Mission (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/green/overview.html) has yet to fly, and has only ACS sized engines.
GPIM seems OBE after this.

Edit/Lar: Soften.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/23/2018 07:29 pm
Quote
Rocket Lab successfully circularizes orbit with new Electron kick stage

Huntington Beach, California and Auckland, New Zealand January 23 2018: Rocket Lab, a US aerospace company with operations in New Zealand, has successfully tested a previously unannounced kick stage on the Still Testing Electron launch vehicle, using it to circularize the orbits of the two Spire Lemur-2 CubeSats on board.   

The kick stage was flown and tested on board the recent Still Testing flight that was successfully launched on 21 January 2018 NZDT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The complex mission was a success, with the new apogee kick stage coasting in orbit for around 40 minutes before powering up and igniting Rocket Lab’s new restartable liquid propulsion engine called Curie, then shutting down and deploying payloads. With the new kick stage Rocket Lab can execute multiple burns to place numerous payloads into different orbits.

 Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck says the kick stage opens up significantly more orbital options, particularly for rideshare customers that have traditionally been limited to the primary payload’s designated orbit.

“Until now many small satellite operators have had to compromise on optimal orbits in order to reach space at an accessible cost. The kick stage releases small satellites from the constricting parameters of primary payload orbits and enables them to full reach their potential, including faster deployment of small satellite constellations and better positioning for Earth imaging,” Beck says. 

The kick stage is designed for use on the Electron launch vehicle with a payload capacity of up to 150 kg and will be used to disperse CubeSat constellations faster and more accurately, enabling satellite data to be received and utilized sooner after launch.

Equipped with a precision pointing cold gas reaction control system, the kick stage also has its own avionics, power and communications systems.

As the proliferation of small satellites in low Earth orbit continues and the risk of collisions increases, the kick stage also offers a sustainable solution to reducing the amount of staging left to decay in orbit. The kick stage offers a much smaller system with its own green propulsion system to de-orbit the stage after mission completion, reducing the launch vehicle material left in space. 

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-circularizes-orbit-with-new-electron-kick-stage/ (https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-circularizes-orbit-with-new-electron-kick-stage/)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/23/2018 07:31 pm
The kick stage has avionics and RCS on board.  I wonder if that is the guidance for the entire Electron vehicle, and if that is also the RCS used during second stage flight. 

That would certainly be the cheapest way to do it.
Look at the stage. It looks like it accepts the US stage adapter ring in place of the avionics/payload adapter, as a third stage would.

So if you fly as a two stage only, you just omit the third stage and the connectors/stage mates to the avionics/payload adapter.

When you fly three stage, there's a "pass thru" of the third stage to the same. So just one avionics that work for both in either case.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Kabloona on 01/23/2018 08:04 pm
The kick stage has avionics and RCS on board.  I wonder if that is the guidance for the entire Electron vehicle, and if that is also the RCS used during second stage flight. 

A mean trick Rocket Lab pulled there, I think, making us all think it was a successful launch while the actual flight with 2/3rds of the payloads continued for another 40 minutes...

The first thing I thought of when seeing a photo of the "kick stage" is how much it resembles the Minuteman/Peacekeeper post-boost vehicles, aka "Stage IV," on a smaller scale.  Except, instead of delivering MIRV warheads to different targets, the kick stage is delivering multiple payloads to different orbits.

I guess also similar to Pegasus HAPS, though I don't recall if HAPS can do multiple payloads.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/23/2018 08:17 pm
would rather they do that then deceive, which is what they did.
Probably they thought they were limiting their exposure.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/23/2018 08:19 pm
A mean trick Rocket Lab pulled there, I think, making us all think it was a successful launch while the actual flight with 2/3rds of the payloads continued for another 40 minutes.  We've seen purposeful blackouts for classified missions before, of course, but I can't remember being purposefully deceived by a commercial company during an orbital launch in this way.  I wonder if they would have told us if a failure had occurred during that black-out phase.
Possibly not, but... I mean, even if the kick stage had failed, the first and second stage would still have worked, so to the extent it was a test it would have been a successful one.

It's like that SpaceX launch where they kept the option in reserve to dock with the ISS but didn't get clearance to do so until they were already on orbit. Wasn't there also a case where a deorbit burn failed but that wasn't a mission goal? I think of this along similar lines.

Really damn impressive that they built this whole other stage though in their spare time. It's not even the same propulsion stack as stages 1-2. Likely makes the total value proposition of the rocket significantly better.

Makes me wonder what the total impulse is because a third stage makes me think of incredibly cheap BEO missions.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/23/2018 08:23 pm
Of course.  They don't have to tell the public anything if they so desire.  Personally, I would rather they do that then deceive, which is what they did.

I don't see it as deception.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/23/2018 09:07 pm
kick stage separation video

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/955921528377393157
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/23/2018 09:19 pm
kick stage separation video

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/955921528377393157

Video attached
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/23/2018 10:05 pm
It was also a way by which they didn't have to deal with US engine restart, which is tricky due to thermal issues. They could leave the US in an elliptical orbit for disposal.

The kick stage is a) too small to matter and b) monoprop pressure based, so all that matters is face shutoff/open of valve, so easy to restart after reorient for disposal burn.

If it had failed, they could have still claimed success. Perhap's that's really what Ed's issue is really about - that he could have awarded them a full mission success, and he'd never know of a partial failure. Big no-no in his book.

add:

Oh, and the fact we are seeing a video from the US of the kick stage means that telemetry and flight controls are still active.

So it sounds like the flight systems initiated separation of two payloads, then triggered kick stage + payload adapter + remaining sats to seperate and fire on the US stage orientation. Which implies minimal controls/GNC on the kick stage.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jcm on 01/23/2018 11:49 pm
My remaining questions:

What are the dry mass and dimensions of the stage, what propellants does Curie use, was the stage present on the initial 'It's A Test' flight?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/24/2018 01:46 am
My remaining questions:

What are the dry mass and dimensions of the stage, what propellants does Curie use, was the stage present on the initial 'It's A Test' flight?
It was noted in the standing Electron thread that it may be VLM, which is a monoprop Rocket Lab developed for DARPA. I skimmed their patent, seems like microscopic solid fuel granules in a liquid carrier fluid.
Title: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lars-J on 01/24/2018 04:08 am
The advantage of private enterprise.  They don't have to tell us a thing.
We, on the other hand, have to give them kudos and respect.
Of course.  They don't have to tell the public anything if they so desire.  Personally, I would rather they do that then deceive, which is what they did.

 - Ed Kyle

Maybe they did because there are certain people - who shall go unnamed - that jump on a failure to meet secondary objectives as a mission failure?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: deruch on 01/24/2018 06:13 am
My remaining questions:

What are the dry mass and dimensions of the stage, what propellants does Curie use, was the stage present on the initial 'It's A Test' flight?

Also, in addition to the Planet cubesat and the second stage rocket body, what is the third object in the elliptical orbit? 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/24/2018 06:42 am
One somewhat weird thing about not announcing the kick stage is that they did announce the Spire cubesats (right?) so if the kick stage failed.... was there some backup to deploy them in the original orbit? (so they could still declare "total success")
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: douglas100 on 01/24/2018 09:27 am

...So it sounds like the flight systems initiated separation of two payloads, then triggered kick stage + payload adapter + remaining sats to separate and fire on the US stage orientation. Which implies minimal controls/GNC on the kick stage.

From the video it looks indeed that the US has re-orientated and is flying "backwards," which is exactly what you would expect for an apogee burn half way around the planet. But you would expect in the future that the kick stage would be able at least to re-orientate and do more than one burn if they wish to disperse payloads or de-orbit.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/24/2018 04:02 pm
From the video it looks indeed that the US has re-orientated and is flying "backwards," which is exactly what you would expect for an apogee burn half way around the planet.

Why would you "fly backwards"? Don't you want to burn "forwards" to raise perigee? Or do you just mean that without attitude control this is how you'd end up?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: gongora on 01/24/2018 04:08 pm
The mystery object: (https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/956210538471657472)
Quote
Introducing The Humanity Star - a bright, blinking satellite now orbiting Earth, visible to the naked eye in the night sky. Launched on #StillTesting, The Humanity Star is designed to encourage everyone to look up and consider our place in the universe. http://www.TheHumanityStar.com
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: gongora on 01/24/2018 04:11 pm
[Ars Technica] Look up! For the next nine months, you can spy Humanity’s Star (https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/rocket-lab-launched-a-secret-payload-into-space-last-weekend/)
Quote
... it turns out the rocket also carried a secret payload into space at the behest of the company's founder, Peter Beck.

This was the "Humanity Star," a disco ball-like geodesic sphere, which measures about 1 meter in diameter.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: chewi on 01/24/2018 04:58 pm
'A star for humanity' revealed as the secret object launched into space on Rocket Lab's rocket
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/star-humanity-revealed-secret-object-launched-into-space-rocket-labs (https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/star-humanity-revealed-secret-object-launched-into-space-rocket-labs)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: mme on 01/24/2018 05:13 pm
Maybe they did because there are certain people - who shall go unnamed - that jump on a failure to meet secondary objectives as a mission failure?
Two-thirds of the total payload doesn't sound like a secondary objective to me.  You would rather be deceived into incorrectly believing success, were a failure to have occurred? 

I hope that the company would have explained any issues had they occurred, because disinformation is bad for business.       

 - Ed Kyle
Maybe the customer didn't want to be part of the discussion if it failed. Total speculation but given RL seems fairly transparent it's worth considering.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: ArbitraryConstant on 01/24/2018 05:29 pm
Maybe the customer didn't want to be part of the discussion if it failed. Total speculation but given RL seems fairly transparent it's worth considering.
Not unreasonable put some secondary objectives on top of the primary objective for a launcher that has never reached orbit before.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Req on 01/24/2018 05:36 pm
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/956232792685203456

@RocketLab
The Humanity Star will only be on orbit for around nine months, so you'll need to be quick to catch a glimpse. Track its location on @TheHumanityStar website.

http://www.thehumanitystar.com/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: douglas100 on 01/24/2018 05:55 pm
From the video it looks indeed that the US has re-orientated and is flying "backwards," which is exactly what you would expect for an apogee burn half way around the planet.

Why would you "fly backwards"? Don't you want to burn "forwards" to raise perigee? Or do you just mean that without attitude control this is how you'd end up?

If the kick stage holds the "backwards" attitude at time of release, then by the time it has traveled halfway round the planet it will be pointing "forward." Which, as you said, is the attitude you want for the burn to raise the perigee.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: deruch on 01/24/2018 10:02 pm
Maybe they did because there are certain people - who shall go unnamed - that jump on a failure to meet secondary objectives as a mission failure?
Two-thirds of the total payload doesn't sound like a secondary objective to me.  You would rather be deceived into incorrectly believing success, were a failure to have occurred? 

I hope that the company would have explained any issues had they occurred, because disinformation is bad for business.       

 - Ed Kyle

My assumption is that they expected to at least deliver to the 300x500 orbit, with the chance that they would be able to circularize.  So long as they "failed"-into-initial-orbit, where the Spire sats would be injected to the same orbit as the Planet sat, I would still class that as a success.  In that sense, viewing the the ability to circularize as a secondary objective is perfectly reasonable for a test launch where they are still attempting things for the first time. 
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: wolfpack on 01/25/2018 01:07 am
Was this secret kick stage part of the first Electron attempt? If not, I’m willing to grant RL a first-pass success with their vehicle.

Looking forward to seeing The Humanity Star in eastern North America soon! Well done.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jcm on 01/25/2018 03:53 am

This story
https://qz.com/1187991/rocket-lab-electron-private-rocketeers-put-their-own-humanity-star-into-orbit/
confirms that there was another Humanity Star on the first, failed, launch
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Comga on 01/25/2018 04:01 am
Maybe they did because there are certain people - who shall go unnamed - that jump on a failure to meet secondary objectives as a mission failure?
Two-thirds of the total payload doesn't sound like a secondary objective to me.  You would rather be deceived into incorrectly believing success, were a failure to have occurred? 

I hope that the company would have explained any issues had they occurred, because disinformation is bad for business.       

 - Ed Kyle

Ed
You are being quite harsh
It's "Still Testing".
If they had an attached block of metal, justifiable for an early flight, getting to orbit would be a 100% success.
If they added an orphan payload, like other early launches, and released it, it would be a 100% success
Here they announced launching three satellites and did.
You measure success against everything they throw in, not their stated goal.
If they cared, it would be discouraging to have additional efforts, ones from which failures would give valuable lessons.
Of course, they don't really care.
It just seems almost spiteful, looking for additional criteria to avoid giving them 100%.
So they get more done after you grade the flight.  Good for them.


And frankly, I think the Humanity Star is pretty neat.  A good way to make use of this opportunity.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Alter Sachse on 01/25/2018 07:07 am
I say yes - 100%
They did a very good job.
It is only the beginning !
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: woods170 on 01/25/2018 08:51 am
A mean trick Rocket Lab pulled there, I think, making us all think it was a successful launch while the actual flight with 2/3rds of the payloads continued for another 40 minutes. 
Primary objective of this test-lauch was to reach orbit. When the upper stage reached initial orbit the mission had met its primary objective and thus the launch was (rightfully) classed as successful by RocketLab.

You don't class STS-41B, that had PAM-D failures on their comsat payloads, as (partial) failure? Do you?
In fact you don't on your own website. See: http://spacelaunchreport.com/stssum.txt (year: 1984. orbiter: Challenger. 3 Flights, zero failures)

I mention this, because this Electron flight is exactly the same. (Part of) the launch vehicle (the upper stage) is what reaches orbit. The kick-stage is then deployed from this orbiting platform to boost its attached payloads to a different orbit.
Fully analogous to STS where the Orbiter is the platform that reaches orbit and than deploys a kick-stage (PAM-D) to boost its attached payload (comsat) into a different orbit.


We've seen purposeful blackouts for classified missions before, of course, but I can't remember being purposefully deceived by a commercial company during an orbital launch in this way.
What you call "deceived" is baloney. We were not deceived. We (as in: the general public) were just not informed beforehand. But RocketLab's customers have been aware of this kick stage for quite some time.
RocketLab, like SpaceX, is a private company and is not obliged to "tell-all" to the public. Period.


I wonder if they would have told us if a failure had occurred during that black-out phase.
Stop using the term "black-out phase". It is silly, ridiculous even. There was no such thing as a "black-out" given that RocketLab is not obliged to do a public event for the launch. The fact that we were able to watch the launch all the way to initial orbit is courtesy of RocketLab. They did us (as in: the general public) a favor despite the fact that nothing forces them to grant us that favor at all.


I wonder, too, how this kick stage affects the claimed performance (150 kg to a 500 km sun synchronous orbit).  This flight only carried 13 kg of payload.  Perhaps much of the payload capability was used up by having the kick stage on board.

It can be considered to be part of the payload. Much like the PAM-D for comsats launched on the space shuttle was part of the payload and not part of the launch vehicle.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: woods170 on 01/25/2018 09:01 am
would rather they do that then deceive, which is what they did.
Probably they thought they were limiting their exposure.

Ed is flat out wrong when coining the term "deceived".
RocketLab didn't bother to tell the general public about the kick stage until after the fact.

Is it deception when RocketLab reports a complete launch only after it has been launched?

No, it isn't.

Reporting part of a launch/mission only after the fact is not deception either.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Rik ISS-fan on 01/25/2018 09:04 am
AFAIK Rocketlabs has always planned for using the curie upperstage on the Electon (https://www.rocketlabusa.com/electron/)
The Curie has a 3D printed engine that delivers 120N of thrust.
The Electon with Curie can deliver 150kg to 500km SSO (circular LEO orbit); without Curie Electon can deliver 225kg to 300x500km LEO orbit. All on their website.

Congretz to the Rocketlabs team with this very successful launch. A amazing job achieving all this on only the second launch attempt.

To me the Curie propulsion system looks borrowed from (/or also usable for) a micro-satellite.
Now it has four spherical tanks; wouldn't two cylindrical tanks be more efficient (could hold more fuel, maybe it's a option)
(https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/S3-Deploy-Screenshot-4.JPG)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Svetoslav on 01/25/2018 02:21 pm
I like the Humanity Star. It worked where the Cosmomayak creators failed. Of course, it's much better to create a spherical disco ball rather than a deployable reflector (especially if your satellite is unable to communicate with the Earth).
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/25/2018 04:19 pm
As for the "Still Testing" deception, I've said all I need to say.

Good. So has everyone else, TBH. Draw a line under it and move on. Further posts on whether RL deceived or underannounced or whatever will be deleted.  Some posts above were also deleted.

"All this discussion of whether electron 'lied' or 'deceived' anyone is really below class of what I would expect on NSF. IMHO." (direct quote from the report to mod. Also, IMHO too...)
Title: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/25/2018 07:58 pm
Mike Brown is unimpressed by Rocket Lab’s Humanitystar.

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
Wow. Intentionally bright long-term space graffiti. Thanks a lot,

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
·
21h
both bad for astronomy and a horrible precedent.

Here’s the whole thread.

https://mobile.twitter.com/plutokiller/status/956304964367802368

And here’s more astronomical criticism.

Quote
Maybe it’s just me, but I find it unbelievably vain and arrogant to think that superimposing a silly little flashing light makes the night sky more dramatic, and encourages any but the most superficial of thoughts about our place in the universe.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ProfMike_M/status/956313321241792513
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Svetoslav on 01/25/2018 08:03 pm
I'm surprised how certain astronomers are so anti-space...
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/25/2018 08:34 pm
I'm surprised how certain astronomers are so anti-space...

They will be a lot more unhappy when the LEO & VLEO comsat constellations starts deploying. Never mind the semi-disposable swarms of observation mini sats & cubesats. Said astronomers will have to find new locals for siting their telescopes like the Lagrange points and the farside of the Moon.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Comga on 01/25/2018 08:55 pm
I'm surprised how certain astronomers are so anti-space...

They are not "anti-space", and it is a problem for them. 
It will interfere with their work and cut into their limited time on VERY expensive machines. 
It will be more of an inconvenience than any Iridium satellite, but perhaps not as much as the old Iridium constellation.
However, it should be short lived, being low density in a low orbit, but that has a lot of uncertainty in it.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Req on 01/25/2018 09:01 pm
I'm surprised how certain astronomers are so anti-space...

They are not "anti-space", and it is a problem for them. 
It will interfere with their work and cut into their limited time on VERY expensive machines. 
It will be more of an inconvenience than any Iridium satellite, but perhaps not as much as the old Iridium constellation.
However, it should be short lived, being low density in a low orbit, but that has a lot of uncertainty in it.

When I used their site to check when I could see it yesterday, it said I had to wait something like 36 days.  This really can't be that big of a deal compared to all of the other stuff up there.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: eeergo on 01/25/2018 09:02 pm
It's funny some people are such stuck up party-poopers, I guess there are many myopic ways to make your life depressing even if you love science and the many possibilities of space. I say so as a physicist, no bias there.

A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation throws the result that less than 0.002% of images acquired from a particular ground-based telescope will be affected by a satellite in a similar orbit to HS. In fact, the GEO belt has a much more important impact: even though they are fainter, these birds block out significant areas for deep sky imaging. I guess these people would ban fireworks if given the chance...  :-\



They are not "anti-space", and it is a problem for them. 
It will interfere with their work and cut into their limited time on VERY expensive machines. 
It will be more of an inconvenience than any Iridium satellite, but perhaps not as much as the old Iridium constellation.
However, it should be short lived, being low density in a low orbit, but that has a lot of uncertainty in it.


On the contrary, they are anti-space, and show quite an elitist attitude toward marveling at Nature.

If you can't grasp the subtleties of what people like these like to study (or just get their funding from), then you're frivolous at best, irresponsible and negligent perhaps, according to their view. This attitude is quite common in specialized fields of science.


It certainly interferes, just as planes, GEO sats, meteors, thousands of space junk objects, the Moon, maneuvering spacecraft, clouds...


If there were lots of such satellites on orbit, maybe this wouldn't have been such a good idea, cutting a bit more into the already tight observation margins modern astronomy works with for just marketing and inspirational purposes - but for a short-lived, unique object like this, this is just ranting. As if a geologist complains about people hiking in the mountains because they can destroy a unique fossil. It's possible, but it can be best avoided (or encouraged not to happen) through other means, and perhaps putting a bit of pressure on the proverbial frakking company next door ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: acsawdey on 01/25/2018 09:48 pm
Mike Brown is unimpressed by Rocket Lab’s Humanitystar.

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
Wow. Intentionally bright long-term space graffiti. Thanks a lot,

I don't know, I would hardly call 9 months "long-term". Also 33 days until it is visible here in Minnesota? I wish I understood better exactly where/when the condition exists that the Humanitystar is in sunlight but is visible from an area that is in darkness.

Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/25/2018 09:57 pm
Mike Brown is unimpressed by Rocket Lab’s Humanitystar.

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
Wow. Intentionally bright long-term space graffiti. Thanks a lot,

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
·
21h
both bad for astronomy and a horrible precedent.

Here’s the whole thread.

https://mobile.twitter.com/plutokiller/status/956304964367802368

And here’s more astronomical criticism.

Quote
Maybe it’s just me, but I find it unbelievably vain and arrogant to think that superimposing a silly little flashing light makes the night sky more dramatic, and encourages any but the most superficial of thoughts about our place in the universe.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ProfMike_M/status/956313321241792513
And here's another one...  http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/astronomer-says-new-zealands-become-the-trump-of-space/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/25/2018 10:10 pm
Mike Brown is unimpressed by Rocket Lab’s Humanitystar.

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
Wow. Intentionally bright long-term space graffiti. Thanks a lot,

Quote
Mike Brown
@plutokiller
·
21h
both bad for astronomy and a horrible precedent.

Here’s the whole thread.

https://mobile.twitter.com/plutokiller/status/956304964367802368

And here’s more astronomical criticism.

Quote
Maybe it’s just me, but I find it unbelievably vain and arrogant to think that superimposing a silly little flashing light makes the night sky more dramatic, and encourages any but the most superficial of thoughts about our place in the universe.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ProfMike_M/status/956313321241792513
And here's another one...  http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/astronomer-says-new-zealands-become-the-trump-of-space/

At least as far as social media is concerned it mostly seems to have been annoyance from the astronomical community to this payload.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: sewebster on 01/25/2018 10:16 pm
Various people have been posting space images that have been obscured by satellite passes, e.g.
https://twitter.com/Alex_Parker/status/956629225695514625
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/25/2018 10:22 pm
To Star One; yes, predominantly. But the Astronomer Ian Griffin claiming Rocket Labs and by extension New Zealand have become 'The Trump of Space' is just laughable.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Comga on 01/26/2018 01:43 am
Humanity Star is now front page on Heavens-Above.com
The magnitude, in the rare case it is visible, is listed as between 4.4 and 8.2.
That’s less than a lot of satellites, including Hubble and dead telescopes. ;)
Frankly, I was expecting much brighter.
Either way, a hollow composite sphere with a perigee below 300 km will be a brief display.
Catch it while you can.
(Check back often as the predictions won’t be good months out.)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Flying Beaver on 01/26/2018 01:44 am
Humanity Star is now front page on Heavens-Above.com
The magnitude, in the rare case it is visible, is listed as between 4.4 and 8.2.
That’s less than a lot of satellites, including Hubble and dead telescopes. ;)
Frankly, I was expecting much brighter.
Either way, a hollow composite sphere with a perigee below 300 km will be a brief display.
Catch it while you can.
(Check back often as the predictions won’t be good months out.)

It should flare to much brighter. It's just reflecting either dark space or a semi-lit earth otherwise.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: woods170 on 01/26/2018 07:12 am
Various people have been posting space images that have been obscured by satellite passes, e.g.
https://twitter.com/Alex_Parker/status/956629225695514625 (https://twitter.com/Alex_Parker/status/956629225695514625)

Astronomers are not a homogeneous group.

Quite a large portion of astronomy is very much dependent on spaceflight, given that their observatories can only observe properly when being above the atmosphere (gamma-rays, x-ray, infrared, long-wavelength radio waves). You will never hear the professionals in that group complain about spaceflight.

But to those astronomers who do their job mostly in the visible spectrum spaceflight can be annoying, including the frustrated example you provided.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Svetoslav on 01/26/2018 07:58 am
There's one obvious solution - more telescopes going beyond Earth Orbit. It's pathetic those astronomers don't push for funding of such telescopes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/26/2018 08:03 am
It's pathetic those astronomers don't push for funding of such telescopes.

They do.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/26/2018 08:54 am
It's pathetic those astronomers don't push for funding of such telescopes.

They do.

Also it excludes the many amateur astronomers who seem to have been forgotten in this and also suffer from this intentional cluttering of the heavens.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/26/2018 09:05 am
We're probably a bit off topic here, but the pollution issue is worth discussing somewhere, as all the LEO/VLEO constellations are going to make the situation much worse than it is currently.

And it is/will be a significant problem because very long exposure times are common on most professional instruments.  Which, contra the suggestion above, cannot simply be replaced by a few orbital instruments - with AO, collection area matters a lot, not just the quality of seeing.

[ any mod suggestions here? ]

--- Tony
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Rik ISS-fan on 01/26/2018 09:20 am
Here a possibly very stupid thought.
A ground telescope takes a long exposure image from space and unfortunately a (bright) satellite passes by. Can't they use post processing to remove the over exposure from the passing satellite. It will most likely degrade the image a bit, but it could still be useful. (I didn't study physics, so please someone more knowledgeable reply on this brain-fart)
Those complaining astronomers are really making a elephant from a bug in my opinion. (blowing up a small problem)
AFAIK air vibrations also cause a lot of distortion in telescope exposures. Possibly they should build satellites instead of ground telescoop. How much costs a GTO US DoD Spysat / Space observatory (~4m mirror), $400mln?. Possibly just above the LEO comsat constellations is enough. They could also use small sats (1-2mT; 2m mirror)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: woods170 on 01/26/2018 11:06 am
Here a possibly very stupid thought.
A ground telescope takes a long exposure image from space and unfortunately a (bright) satellite passes by. Can't they use post processing to remove the over exposure from the passing satellite. It will most likely degrade the image a bit, but it could still be useful. (I didn't study physics, so please someone more knowledgeable reply on this brain-fart)
Those complaining astronomers are really making a elephant from a bug in my opinion. (blowing up a small problem)
AFAIK air vibrations also cause a lot of distortion in telescope exposures. Possibly they should build satellites instead of ground telescoop. How much costs a GTO US DoD Spysat / Space observatory (~4m mirror), $400mln?. Possibly just above the LEO comsat constellations is enough. They could also use small sats (1-2mT; 2m mirror)

Not a stupid thought at all. Ground-based astronomers could perhaps adopt the multiple-exposure technology that is present in today's digital camera's. Software can then automatically get rid of the offending satellite passes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: eeergo on 01/26/2018 11:14 am
Here a possibly very stupid thought.
A ground telescope takes a long exposure image from space and unfortunately a (bright) satellite passes by. Can't they use post processing to remove the over exposure from the passing satellite. It will most likely degrade the image a bit, but it could still be useful. (I didn't study physics, so please someone more knowledgeable reply on this brain-fart)
Those complaining astronomers are really making a elephant from a bug in my opinion. (blowing up a small problem)
AFAIK air vibrations also cause a lot of distortion in telescope exposures. Possibly they should build satellites instead of ground telescoop. How much costs a GTO US DoD Spysat / Space observatory (~4m mirror), $400mln?. Possibly just above the LEO comsat constellations is enough. They could also use small sats (1-2mT; 2m mirror)

Air vibrations are minimized through adaptive optics.

A simpler solution could be devised: just maintain an astrophysically-useful satellite catalog (it's not like they don't already exist, maybe even spice them up with amateur tracking of spysats) and cancel out the exposure for the small amount of time that a satellite is supposed to cross the FOV. It won't be perfect (because of untracked/mistracked objects) but would certainly work for Humanity Star and most of the problematic objects.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/26/2018 11:42 am
As you say, most atmospheric distortion is eliminated by adaptive optics, so for faint objects you end up caring about aperture (SNR scales with the square of aperture).  There's a reason we're building 30+ metre telescopes ... which are prohibitively large to launch.

But how do you "cancel out the exposure" without multiple exposures, which reduces your SNR?

For CCDs, SNR = Signal/Sqrt(Signal+dark+sky+R*R), where R is read out noise. Everything except R scales with exposure time but R is a constant, hence if you're taking multiple exposures you are reducing your SNR.

You can't just subtract from the CCD counts - any satellite will be orders of magnitude too bright and will saturate the CCD (and probably result in charge bleed).

--- Tony
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: eeergo on 01/26/2018 12:11 pm
Of course you'd either need multiple short exposures, as described above (likely to bring out detector noise to prohibitive levels?) or just the minimum number of exposures needed to cancel out the time of sat transit (2-3?)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: gongora on 01/26/2018 01:40 pm
There's a payload similar to Humanity Star (different shape) on the upcoming SSO-A mission this summer.  I wonder which one of these actually started construction earlier.  I guess it's easier to get your art project launched on time when you own a rocket company :)

http://www.orbitalreflector.com/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: hop on 01/26/2018 05:13 pm
Of course you'd either need multiple short exposures, as described above (likely to bring out detector noise to prohibitive levels?)
There are some techniques that do use lots of very short exposures, e.g. lucky imaging (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_imaging) but not applicable to every situation.
Quote
or just the minimum number of exposures needed to cancel out the time of sat transit (2-3?)
As jebbo says, if the detector is badly overexposed, the effects go far beyond where the source is. If you're trying to observe a mag 25 target and a satellite flares to mag 0, that's a factor of 10 billion brightness difference. So an exposure where the satellite doesn't swamp everything will be far too short to get anything useful from the target.

Personally, I think a lot of the reaction to Humanity Star is out of proportion to the impact. It's not great but there are thousands of satellites up there, so it's hard to see the incremental  impact of this specific object being a very big deal. OTOH, the general gut reaction to "let's send shiny stuff up there just to be shiny" is understandable.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/26/2018 05:18 pm
Personally, I think a lot of the reaction to Humanity Star is out of proportion to the impact. It's not great but there are thousands of satellites up there, so it's hard to see the incremental  impact of this specific object being a very big deal. OTOH, the general gut reaction to "let's send shiny stuff up there just to be shiny" is understandable.

I think it raises a longer term issue ... right now there are ~2000 satellites out there causing trouble. But there are several very large constellations (e.g. Starlink is ~12,000) to be launched relatively soon, which might make "satellite pollution" a bigger issue.

--- Tony
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/26/2018 07:08 pm
Honestly, if it is really between 4.4-8 Mag. on a typical pass I have to wonder what was the point. Only someone with truly dark sky's or binoculars is going to see it.

Now to be in a medium orbit and be as bright as the ISS.... I read somewhere the ISS is the third brightest object in the night sky.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: deruch on 01/26/2018 11:55 pm
There's a payload similar to Humanity Star (different shape) on the upcoming SSO-A mission this summer.  I wonder which one of these actually started construction earlier.  I guess it's easier to get your art project launched on time when you own a rocket company :)

http://www.orbitalreflector.com/

Also Mayak, a 3U cubesat with large deployable reflectors, launched last July on a Soyuz-2.1 from Baikonur.  But the reflectors failed to deploy, so wasn't an issue.

https://www.universetoday.com/127739/russian-crowdfunded-satellite-may-become-brightest-star-in-the-sky/

http://spaceflight101.com/mayak-lighthouse-in-the-sky-fails-to-deploy-solar-reflector/
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Andrew_W on 01/27/2018 07:45 am
Most serious astronomy is going to happen after well after dusk and well before dawn with the telescope pointed fairly high, just how visible is a LEO small satellite going to be, even to a large scope, when the satellite in the Earths shadow?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/27/2018 08:07 am
Due to it being a low polar orbit, it is mostly in shadow on the night side... That doesn't mean it will be completely black to sensitive CDD's (earth glow, illumination by the moon), but during winter months it will be mostly in shadow at night for the northern hemisphere. Come summer, it will be visible a good portion of the night.

If it was in a higher orbit, it would be much more visible. Satellites in the Geo band are in sun and visible all night long (minus eclipse season).
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Andrew_W on 01/27/2018 08:27 am
Come summer, it will be visible a good portion of the night.

Thanks.

Yes but that's mostly going to be at high latitudes when any ground based telescopes themselves are in daylight for most of a 24 hour day.

On most occasions when such LEO satellites cross images taken by ground telescopes they'll be too deep into Earth's shadow to even be illuminated by atmospheric refraction, the Moon presents a problem of itself so moonlight reflecting off the satellite is only going to happen on less than ideal for viewing moonlit nights, light from cities reflecting off the satellite? Could perhaps be a problem on nights that are otherwise ideal for viewing, but how much of a problem?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/27/2018 08:38 am
The controversy as now reached the papers in the UK.

Astronomers enraged by huge man-made star that has 'vandalised' the sky

Quote
“This is stupid, vandalises the night sky and corrupts our view of the cosmos,” wrote David Kipping, an astronomer from Columbia University.

Good point this.

Quote
Others pointed out there was little need for an artificial star to provoke our wonder about the night sky – since there’s already plenty of objects up there to do that anyway. “Looking up at the moon and the planets in the night sky invokes similar feelings of wonder – why do we need this artificial disco ball in orbit,” asked planetary scientist Meg Schwamb.

Quote
Astronomer Caleb A Scharf wrote in Scientific American that the light seemed a damning indictment of our times. People are gradually getting in the way of the natural rhythms of our world and denying themselves the chance to see the real night sky, he said, and this appeared to be a vision of that.

“It might have been cute to do this in the late 1950s, when Sputnik was fresh on our minds, when there was a genuine sense of wonder (and concern) about the future space age,” he wrote. “But in 2018 it feels to me like yet another invasion of my personal universe, another flashing item asking for eyeballs. It’s hogging some of that precious resource, the dark night sky, polluting part of the last great wilderness.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/man-made-star-new-zealand-night-sky-humanity-space-bright-rocket-lab-a8180061.html
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: saliva_sweet on 01/27/2018 09:23 am
Quote
it feels to me like yet another invasion of my personal universe

I feel like this sums up the controversy quite nicely. It can only be seen if you specifically look for it during very specific timewindows. And then only for a few seconds. But now my cosmos is ruined and i'm so triggered. Looks like the astronomy community at least will be out in corpore for every visible pass to screech and tear their hair. Fresh air should do them good.
Title: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/27/2018 10:13 am
Quote
it feels to me like yet another invasion of my personal universe

I feel like this sums up the controversy quite nicely. It can only be seen if you specifically look for it during very specific timewindows. And then only for a few seconds. But now my cosmos is ruined and i'm so triggered. Looks like the astronomy community at least will be out in corpore for every visible pass to screech and tear their hair. Fresh air should do them good.

I don’t think it paints some space flight enthusiasts in a particularly good light as it makes them look like they lack in empathy for a related discipline. Especially in this case when the payload is utterly pointless, serves no scientific cause and is so obviously just a PR stunt for the company no matter the guff they come out with trying to justify it.

The least they could have done is be honest that it’s just a PR exercise rather than try and cloak it in some kind of humanitarian nonsense. Judging online I think as publicity for them I it has backfired bringing them ridicule more than anything else.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Req on 01/27/2018 12:20 pm
Quote
it feels to me like yet another invasion of my personal universe

I feel like this sums up the controversy quite nicely. It can only be seen if you specifically look for it during very specific timewindows. And then only for a few seconds. But now my cosmos is ruined

I agree with this ^^^

The least they could have done is be honest that it’s just a PR exercise rather than try and cloak it in some kind of humanitarian nonsense.

and this.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: plutogno on 01/27/2018 01:46 pm
I don’t think it paints some space flight enthusiasts in a particularly good light as it makes them look like they lack in empathy for a related discipline. Especially in this case when the payload is utterly pointless, serves no scientific cause and is so obviously just a PR stunt for the company no matter the guff they come out with trying to justify it.

and we still haven't seen anything... there is a frigging car about to be put into a solar orbit!
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/27/2018 03:46 pm
I don’t think it paints some space flight enthusiasts in a particularly good light as it makes them look like they lack in empathy for a related discipline. Especially in this case when the payload is utterly pointless, serves no scientific cause and is so obviously just a PR stunt for the company no matter the guff they come out with trying to justify it.

and we still haven't seen anything... there is a frigging car about to be put into a solar orbit!

One thing to be said is st least the car isn’t cluttering up near Earth space.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Lar on 01/27/2018 04:42 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/27/2018 04:46 pm
There's a payload similar to Humanity Star (different shape) on the upcoming SSO-A mission this summer.  I wonder which one of these actually started construction earlier.  I guess it's easier to get your art project launched on time when you own a rocket company :)

http://www.orbitalreflector.com/

BTW,  this one is a much bigger issue. It's huge ... hoping this isn't the start of a trend

--- Tony
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: jebbo on 01/27/2018 04:58 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.

I'm half starting to wonder if satellite pollution might ultimately drive astronomy to the Moon. Optical on the lunar limbs (putting the big bright Earth out of the way near the horizon ;) ), IR in the permanently dark polar craters, radio on far side ...

[ I'm not convinced orbital is the way to go for huge instruments ]

And contra some above, while this one isn't an issue, as huge constellations are launched, it's a significant problem (OneWeb + Starlink + whatever else)... not just at dusk/dawn. Even when fully in shadow, satellites are still around magnitude 12, so 10,000+ times brighter than some of the faint sources.

--- Tony
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: JH on 01/27/2018 05:47 pm
I feel like this sums up the controversy quite nicely. It can only be seen if you specifically look for it during very specific timewindows. And then only for a few seconds. But now my cosmos is ruined and i'm so triggered. Looks like the astronomy community at least will be out in corpore for every visible pass to screech and tear their hair. Fresh air should do them good.

I now feel compelled to point out that most astronomers are not bent out of shape about this. If someone decides to launch 500 of them for giggles, then that might change.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/27/2018 06:29 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.

And what are the many amateur astronomers supposed to do, or don’t they count?
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Andrew_W on 01/27/2018 06:41 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.

And what are the many amateur astronomers supposed to do, or don’t they count?

How much are amateur astronomers going to be affected? It'll only be visible to their scopes at dawn and dusk a few times a year. Mountains out of mole hills.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight &quot;Still Testing&quot; - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Star One on 01/27/2018 06:49 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.

And what are the many amateur astronomers supposed to do, or don’t they count?

How much are amateur astronomers going to be affected? It'll only be visible to their scopes at dawn and dusk a few times a year. Mountains out of mole hills.

I was rather talking about the flocks of future satellites and the industrialisation of near earth space.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Andrew_W on 01/27/2018 07:01 pm
This is a short term problem... when we have full bore space industrialization we will be able to construct arbitrarily large orbital scopes positioned in places where light pollution won't be a problem.

And what are the many amateur astronomers supposed to do, or don’t they count?

How much are amateur astronomers going to be affected? It'll only be visible to their scopes at dawn and dusk a few times a year. Mountains out of mole hills.

I was rather talking about the flocks of future satellites and the industrialisation of near earth space.

That, hopefully, is going to happen. As it happens we could see serious amateur astronomers getting together and financing their own little club owned <1 meter orbital telescopes which, with that industrialization, will become affordable for individuals to hire.
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/27/2018 07:09 pm
Not sure why this thread is heading this way, but I'll remind people this thread is specific to this launch. So the posts that follow will be about this launch.

I hate phase "Concern Trolling", but there's certainly some of that sticking its foot in the door of this thread. Let's not. Or at the very least set up your own thread so the majority of people who come to this thread for info relating to this launch don't roll their eyes and say "Oh no, not him again". ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: QuantumG on 01/28/2018 09:37 pm
Honestly, why is it so hard to start a new thread? http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44798.0

Title: Re: LIVE: Electron 2nd Test Flight "Still Testing" - 3 Cubesats - January 21, 2018
Post by: Rondaz on 10/02/2019 03:03 am
The Dove Pioneer cubesat reentered on Sep 22.  It was launched in Jan 2018..

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1179198365537570818