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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: jacqmans on 07/19/2017 08:37 am

Title: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: jacqmans on 07/19/2017 08:37 am
UPDATE thread for Formosat-5 mission.

NSF Threads for Formosat-5 : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21984.0) / Updates (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43396.0) / L2 Coverage July-August (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43238.0) / ASDS (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=66.0) / Party (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.0)
NSF Articles for Formosat-5:
   SpaceX to static fire Formosat-5 Falcon 9, aims for another ASDS landing (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/spacex-static-fire-formosat-5-falcon-9-asds-landing/)
   Falcon 9 successfully launches Taiwan’s Formosat-5 (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/falcon-9-vandenberg-launch-formosat-5/)

Successful launch on August 24 at 1151 PDT/1851 UTC on Falcon 9 (core 1038) from SLC-4E at Vandenberg.  Successful ASDS landing.

Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent) (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews) (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/dragon/)  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0)
   L2 SpaceX Section (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0)


Title: Re: Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: jacqmans on 07/19/2017 08:38 am
SpaceX Opens Media Accreditation for FORMOSAT-5 Mission

Media Contact: John Taylor
[email protected]
310.363.6703

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – July 18, 2017. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's FORMOSAT-5 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch is targeted for no earlier than August 24.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will deliver FORMOSAT-5 to a low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Members of the media who are foreign nationals and interested in covering the launch must fill out this media accreditation form by no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 24.

Members of the media who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident (green card holders) and interested in covering the launch must fill out this media accreditation form by no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 21.
                                                                                                                               
For launches from SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base security decides which media are credentialed to cover launches, not SpaceX. Please keep in mind, simply making the request in a timely fashion does not guarantee the request will be granted. Please be sure to provide all the information included on the SpaceX form.

More details on the mission and pre-launch media activities will be made available closer to launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/16/2017 02:09 pm
Static Fire NET Saturday.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/18/2017 09:01 pm
Falcon 9 confirmed via L2 as on her SLC-4E pad for the Static Fire test on Saturday.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2017 09:42 am
The long Static Fire test window opens at midday local (7pm UTC). Chris Gebhardt article incoming.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2017 12:50 pm
Article for the Static Fire (and more) by Chris Gebhardt:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/spacex-static-fire-formosat-5-falcon-9-asds-landing/
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2017 06:28 pm
All proceeding to plan. Prop loading.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2017 07:05 pm
STATIC FIRE! Falcon 9 fires up! *WAIT* for SpaceX tweet to confirm good test via quick look review.

Status is L2 information. Waiting for additional to say it is classed as a good test. EDIT: And that's in. Looks good!

.... And then we get the official confirmation via SpaceX themselves usually via Twitter.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2017 07:46 pm
And there you go...
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/898994055870267393
SpaceX:
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting launch of FORMOSAT-5 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg AFB on August 24.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Targeteer on 08/19/2017 08:49 pm
30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.)   Facebook
Just now ·

A small fire on South Base started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today. At this time it does not pose a threat to any of the base populace or major infrastructure. Updates will be posted here.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Targeteer on 08/19/2017 10:01 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday August 19, 2017
Release No. 201708-001

WILDLAND FIRE AT VANDENBERG
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A small fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today.

The fire, named the Spring Fire, is affecting 3 acres, presently it does not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.

Seven fire engines are on-site including hand-crews, bulldozers, and air assets.

More information to follow as the situation develops.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Targeteer on 08/19/2017 10:18 pm
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Additional fire crews are fighting a small fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base that started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today.

Presently the Spring Fire, is affecting 10 acres, and it does not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.

Hot-shot crews from Santa Barbara County and U.S. Forest Service are on the scene.

Seven fire engines including three bulldozers, and three air assets are on-site.

More information to follow as the situation develops.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Michael Baylor on 08/19/2017 11:32 pm
80% contained now.

"VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The wildland fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base is 80% contained and crews are mopping up hot spots.
First reported, shortly after 12:00 p.m. today, the Spring Canyon Fire was immediately attacked by fire crews from Vandenberg, Santa Barbara County, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Additionally, 14 fire engines along with seven bulldozers, four tenders, and four air assets were used to battle the fire.
Confined to 10 acres, it did not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.
More information to follow as the situation develops."
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Michael Baylor on 08/20/2017 05:44 am
"It was not immediately clear if it was one blaze or two, since firefighters initially were referring to both the Spring Fire and Falcon Fire."

"The blaze reportedly was near Space Launch Complex-4, where Falcon rocket crews successfully conducted a static fire test Saturday of the booster’s first-stage motor, according to the company’s Twitter page."

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article168212347.html
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Raul on 08/22/2017 10:54 am
Formosat-5 Launch Hazard Areas (https://goo.gl/ErbkUw) together with second stage debris area.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/23/2017 01:38 am
Launch weather forecast issued on L-2, 100% GO!

Edit: forecast summary below

Quote
T-0 Forecast: The subtropical ridge will be the dominant feature tomorrow with the marine layer influence present over the range. Cooling overnight and sustained northwesterly flow will allow the marine layer to move in over the range and linger on the coastal areas, bringing low shallow stratus and fog through the count. By T-0, the marine layer will break out, the stratus will be clearing out and visibility restrictions lifted. Winds will be onshore through the count with T-0 winds out of the west- northwest at 10 - 15 knots. Temperatures will range from 63 - 68F and max upper-level winds will be from the southwest at 50 knots from 34,000 to 36,000 feet. The overall POV will be 0% with no constraints of concern.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: gongora on 08/23/2017 01:54 pm
Press Kit
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/23/2017 07:23 pm
From the Planet Explorer Beta, the TEL is at the Pad as of yesterday. Not high enough resolution/contrast to see whether the rocket is on it, but I would assume so:

https://www.planet.com/explorer

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/23/2017 09:03 pm
F9 is on the pad. FAA approved. Still working the LRR (Launch Readiness Review) at last check (L2).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/23/2017 09:18 pm
Launch forecast issued on L-1, now 90% GO

Quote
L-1 Day Forecast – 23 August 2017:

T-0 Forecast:
A low pressure region has moved into the central coast and will pass over the range during the countdown. The impact of this low will lift and thicken the marine layer, while keeping winds light at the surface. This elevated layer will persist through the count with cloud bases at T-0 being 800ft. Winds will be out of the northwest through the count with T-0 winds out of the northwest at 10 - 15 knots. Temperatures will range from 67 - 72F and max upper-level winds will be from the west at 45 knots from 36,000 to 38,000 feet. Radio Blackout Indices and Proton Flux are currently at background levels. The overall POV will be 10% with Ground Winds being the constraint of concern.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/23/2017 09:22 pm
https://youtu.be/J4u3ZN2g_MI (https://youtu.be/J4u3ZN2g_MI)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/23/2017 09:27 pm
Mission patch from the press kit
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/23/2017 09:56 pm
Static fire video is on Facebook:

Quote
Check out this Falcon 9 static fire video in preparation for tomorrow’s launch!

A static fire verifies a... http://fb.me/8H5EoTGpn

https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/900472197222850560
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 08/24/2017 04:21 am
https://udn.com/news/story/6812/2661034
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 08/24/2017 04:34 am
http://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20170824000314-260210
http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/2172729
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:57 am
Static fire video is on Facebook:

Quote
Check out this Falcon 9 static fire video in preparation for tomorrow’s launch!

A static fire verifies a... http://fb.me/8H5EoTGpn

https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/900472197222850560

Attaching the video for posterity.

*Changed prosperity to posterity. :-)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 10:32 am
William Graham's feature article!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/falcon-9-vandenberg-launch-formosat-5/
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 02:10 pm
Cropped as it showed faces (which is apparently a no no these days)....but I like this one from one of our three reporters out there, Philip Sloss.

"Peek-A-Boo!"
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 04:51 pm
About two hours to launch now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/24/2017 05:29 pm
Image from SpaceX.com
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 05:45 pm
GO for prop load
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 05:51 pm
RP-1 fueling has started!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 05:51 pm
Launch auto sequence has started
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 05:53 pm
Launch area confirmed cleared. FireX nozzels "aimed at based of Falcon 9". All cameras confirmed to be in correct orientation.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 05:55 pm
T-55 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:11 pm
Range go for launch and landing.  LCC go for launch
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:13 pm
LD loop having a fascinating convo about config of Kodiak Island tracking station.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:14 pm
2mins to LOX load start.  No constraints reported.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:15 pm
Can see the pad clearly right now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:15 pm
LOX loading should start by now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:16 pm
LOX load has started!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:17 pm
Big vent!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:19 pm
All progressing well.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:20 pm
Clouds are somewhat breaking here at the launch site
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:20 pm
30 minutes and counting.

Still aiming for the opening of the window.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:30 pm
Strongback chill has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:30 pm
Stage 1 LOX throttling back for Stage 2 load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 06:30 pm
SpaceX FM time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4u3ZN2g_MI
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:31 pm
Another big vent
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:31 pm
Pre-webcast music has started.

Just mere minutes away from going live.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:32 pm
Stage 2 LOX load has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:32 pm
Here comes the funky music!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:36 pm
Formosat is on internal power
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:38 pm
T-14 minutes. We're listening to "Approaching Dragon" by Testshot Starfish, Musk's favourite band! Webcast should be starting in the next few minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:39 pm
And we are live from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. About eleven minutes away from the 40th launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket with a 475-kilogram Taiwanese satellite called FORMOSAT 5.

This will also mark the fifth Falcon 9 to launch from the West Coast.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/24/2017 06:39 pm
Webcast has switched to live
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:40 pm
Webcast has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 06:40 pm
Venty...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:40 pm
Today's commentator is Lauren Lyons.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:40 pm
T-10mins!  All is on track
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:40 pm
Launch at 41 minutes past the hour.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:41 pm
T-10 minutes.

Weather remains 90% favorable.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:41 pm
MD1 trim valve setup started
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:41 pm
T-10 minutes. Taller than a 20 story building!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:42 pm
T-9 minutes.

Just showed a closeup view of the fairing art.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:42 pm
T-9 minutes. Core 38 is being used.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:43 pm
T-8 minutes.

Unlike the strongback at LC-39A, this one retracts 77.5 degrees away from the vehicle at about the 3-minute mark in the countdown.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:43 pm
MD1 hydraulics coming up
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
T-8 minutes. Lots of venting coming from second stage. Topping off first stage.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
Stage 1 fuel venting down for topping
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
T-7 minutes. Main engine chilldown is underway in preparation for ignition at T-3 seconds.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
Number 38!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
MVac and M1D at full hydraulic

Stage 1 fuel secured
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:44 pm
T-7 minutes. Engine chill should have begun. Payload is OK.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:45 pm
T-6 minutes. Continuing to top off the liquid oxygen.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:45 pm
Vehicle in self align
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:45 pm
T-6 minutes. Aiming for 720 km high orbit.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:45 pm
Serving s1 and S2 heaters
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:46 pm
T-5 minutes. The stage tanks now pressurizing for strongback retraction.

Showing video about the payload.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:46 pm
S1 /S2 pressing for strongback retract
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: gaballard on 08/24/2017 06:46 pm
Forgive me if this has been answered before, but has SpaceX stopped doing the separate technical webcasts? I haven't seen one in a while. Is there another place to listen to the radio chatter?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:46 pm
M1D and MVac fuel bleed started
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:46 pm
T-5 minutes. Showing NSPO video.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:47 pm
T-4 minutes. Both strongback clamps should have opened.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:47 pm
MVac TVC motions complete

Strongback retract started
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:47 pm
T-4 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
T-3 minutes. Strongback retraction is in work.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
S2 TVC motion nominal
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
S1 LOX secure
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
T-3 minutes. Range is go. Stage 1 LOX is secure.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
strongback retract
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:48 pm
Strongback retract complete
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
Range green
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
T-2 minutes. Strongback retraction is complete.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
S2 LOX closed out

F9 on internal
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
F9 in self align
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
T-90 seconds.

Per the press kit, we should expect the first stage to land on the "Just Read the Instructions" drone ship about 10 minutes and 47 seconds after launch, which is roughly 30 seconds before spacecraft separation.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
T-2 minutes. Stage 2 LOX is closed out.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
lox secured
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
Cryohelium secured
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in start-up mode and final stage pressurization is underway.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
F9 in startup
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
range green
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
T-45 seconds. The launch director is GO.

T-30.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
T-1 minute. AFTS is ready for launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
All Falcon 9 systems are completely configured.

T-15 seconds.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
LAUNCH!!!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
T-10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, main engine start, 2, 1, 0, and liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket with FORMOSAT 5: one of SpaceX's lightest payloads to be launched into space.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
Roll maneuver is complete; pitch program has started. Pad safing is also in work.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
S1 prop nominal
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
Liftoff!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:51 pm
T+35 seconds. All nine first stage engines running nominally.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:52 pm
T+1 minute. Approaching Mach 1, the speed of sound.

The next major event afterwards will be Max-Q, the period of maximum aerodynamic pressure. The first stage will be throttled down at that time.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 06:52 pm
LAUNCH!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:52 pm
T+1 minute.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:52 pm
Passing the 90-second point. Everything continues to look good with the flight of Falcon 9 and FORMOSAT 5.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
T+2 minutes. M-Vac chilldown sequence has started.

We should expect MECO (Main Engine Cut Off) in about 25 seconds. Prior to that event, the first stage will throttle down to limit acceleration stresses.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
Staging!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
T+2 minutes, 28 seconds. First stage MECO is confirmed.

And we have stage separation. First stage now flipping to reentry attitude.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
T+2 minutes. MVAC engine chill has begun.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
maxQ
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:53 pm
Second stage has ignited and ramped up to full power. We've acquired signal from the Baja tracking station. Still getting good data from Vandenberg.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:54 pm
Stage 1 grid fins have deployed. These are NOT the titanium ones we saw last June; it's the aluminum type.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:54 pm
MECO and Stage 1 separation.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:54 pm
All stages' power and telemetry remain nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 06:54 pm
1-2 staging and fins.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:55 pm
Second stage ignition and first stage fins have deployed.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:55 pm
Did not catch the fairing separation when it occurred.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:55 pm
T+4 minutes. Stage 2 is nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:56 pm
Passing the 5-minute mark.

First stage should have passed its apogee by now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:56 pm
The next major event will be the first stage entry burn at T+8 minutes, 45 seconds. This 1-3-1 engine burn will ensure that the booster does not disintegrate at high speeds.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:56 pm
T+5 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:56 pm
MECO
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Jarnis on 08/24/2017 06:57 pm
Passing the 5-minute mark now.

First stage should have passed its apogee by now.

Still looks like it is going up... apogee soon, but probably about twice as high as "normal" LEO or GTO launch. Very lofted trajectory.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:57 pm
T+6 minutes.

M-Vac performance still nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 06:57 pm
T+6 minutes. Everything is nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:58 pm
Seven minutes in.

Stage 2 altitude is 520 kilometers, velocity is 12,200 kilometers an hour.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:59 pm
8 minutes Mission Elapsed Time.

About a minute of powered flight for Stage 2.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 06:59 pm
7 min everything nominal
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 06:59 pm
Safing the second stage's Automatic Flight Termination System.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:00 pm
Stage 1 entry burn has started. Thrust looks good.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:00 pm
T+7 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:00 pm
Stage 1 entry burn has shut down after 39 seconds.

And we have SECO-1. Standing by for verification that a nominal orbit was achieved.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:00 pm
Falcon 9 and FORMOSAT 5 are in the proper orbit. Between now and spacecraft separation, let's focus on the first stage's return.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:00 pm
T+9 minutes. SECO.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:01 pm
Safing the first stage's AFTS.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:01 pm
Coming in to land.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:01 pm
Stage 1 is transonic. If I was able to stand on the drone ship at that time, three sonic booms would be heard.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:01 pm
Stage 1 landing burn has started. This single-engine burn lasts ~30 seconds until touchdown.

Beginning to deploy the landing legs.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:01 pm
T+10 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:02 pm
And that, everyone, is how SpaceX lands an orbital-class booster rocket! Fifteen out of twenty tries, giving Falcon 9 a 75% success rate of all the attempts done in the last 32 months.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:02 pm
Spacecraft separation confirmed! FORMOSAT 5 finally ready to conduct its five-year mission after lengthy delays and switching from the smaller Falcon 1e to the bigger Falcon 9.

Congratulations to SpaceX and the National Space Organization of Taiwan!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:02 pm
Touchdown!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
Spacecraft is away!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
entry burn
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
SpaceX concluding their webcast for today.

It's been a pleasure covering this launch. I'll see you some time soon.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Brovane on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
Congrats SpaceX on the 12th successful launch of 2017. 
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
Ending coverage.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 07:03 pm
Well that all went rather well!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 07:04 pm
landing
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lars-J on 08/24/2017 07:04 pm
Congratulations!  :D Making it look easy, once again... (which it certainly is not!)

This was a very unusual trajectory (very lofted), very neat to see.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/24/2017 07:04 pm
Coverage has ended.

Congratulations to SpaceX and NSPO for the successful launch!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Perchlorate on 08/24/2017 07:04 pm
Congrats to SpaceX, Taiwan and of course NSF on great coverage of a wonderfully routine mission!!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 07:05 pm
deploy and that's all folks!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: A12 on 08/24/2017 07:05 pm
Congrats to all involved !
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Jarnis on 08/24/2017 07:06 pm
SpaceX Push Little Satellite to Orbit. Little satellite, short webcast, beautiful booster landing. Congratulations to SpaceX and everyone involved in building and operating Formosat-5!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 07:07 pm
That was pretty routine! Wow.  15 for 20 is not bad at all. Congrats to SpaceX and all involved.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: PerW on 08/24/2017 07:07 pm
 8)
Really cool! Great work by SpaceX!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Michael Baylor on 08/24/2017 07:08 pm
Congrats to SpaceX! Not a big Formosat fan due to the incredibly fast sequence of events. Nearly impossible when you are trying to live tweet gifs.  :P

(I am kidding of course)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/24/2017 07:08 pm
That went over quick. They probably could have deployed the sat even before 1st stage touchdown if they wanted.

Amazing routine. Congrats to all involved. Slowly but surely it really gets to the point where its 'just another rocket launch and landing, nothing noteworthy..."

But hey, we are going to have F9H and D2 coming up for some more excitement soon :)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/24/2017 07:08 pm
Huge congrats to everyone involved in today's launch - you could tell this was a light payload because stage sep was at almost 90km!  Maybe the engines got a bit of an upgrade too, we'll see.

Absolutely textbook, keep it up!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Herb Schaltegger on 08/24/2017 07:10 pm
Got to watch the entire thing today, which is nice. Congrats to SpaceX, the Customer, the Western Range, the FAA and all involved. Nice to see a nice steady cadence building back up after the mid-summer break.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2017 07:13 pm
Congratulations to the Republic of China/NSPO on launching your first indigenous developed remote sensing satellite!

Congrats as well to SpaceX, starting to really make a dent in that backlog of launches from the beginning of the year, and in this case finally finish the Falcon 1 days!

....is it me or was this webcast noticeably toned down?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: AncientU on 08/24/2017 07:14 pm
Congrats SpaceX and Taiwan.

12 launches in 7 months and a week!
Keep up the 2.5 week tempo and that backlog will be history.

One a month since AMOS... even with broken pad and stand down. 
20 launches in last 20 months.

Thanks LC-39A and 4E; welcome back 40... join the party.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Poole Amateur on 08/24/2017 07:14 pm
That was a nice start to my Birthday Evening :) Congratulations SpaceX and thank you everyone for your coverage.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Skylab on 08/24/2017 07:14 pm
Congrats to all involved! Mission success, but perhaps the shortest SpaceX webcast I've seen. At least this F1e payload made its way!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: oldAtlas_Eguy on 08/24/2017 07:16 pm
Congrats on #12 for this year.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Rebel44 on 08/24/2017 07:16 pm
Congratulations to everyone involved for another successful launch!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/24/2017 07:17 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Ys3Dd5mYs
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2017 07:19 pm
Many congrats to SpaceX. That was smoooooth.

William Graham's article updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/falcon-9-vandenberg-launch-formosat-5/

Many thanks to Chris G at Vandy with the updates. Steven and Zach and others for the coverage.

And again, the site's coping well these days. That's thanks to the L2 members....and I can't stress it enough that there's no way in hell we'd cope without a fancy hosting package funded by L2 subs, so my signature applies.

PS Here's what happens with the site when SpaceX launch (note, we're already really busy before the spike. The spike is when SpaceX end the webcast and everyone piles into here to discuss it ;D)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Norm38 on 08/24/2017 07:24 pm
Thanks for all the coverage and updates everyone.  Let me covertly follow the launch during a meeting when I couldn't watch the webcast. I appreciate it!
And congrats to SpaceX.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: wardy89 on 08/24/2017 07:25 pm
congratulations to everyone involved for another awesome launch!

I never get board of watching launches like this, no matter how routine spaceX are starting to make it look!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: punder on 08/24/2017 07:35 pm
Even though I knew it was just the humidity, all that vapor really kept me on edge. Especially the huge cloud that swept over the camera. My heart rate went up above its already elevated level.

Nice job SpaceX! Thanks NSF. Congrats everyone!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Mark McCombs on 08/24/2017 07:36 pm
Congrats to SpaceX, Taiwan/Formosat, Western Range and all others.

Thanks to all at NSF for the coverage.

 8)
 
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: macpacheco on 08/24/2017 07:36 pm
SpaceX: We work really hard so everybody else can think we got it easy !
This reminds the Daft Punk song: "One more time !"
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Michael Baylor on 08/24/2017 07:52 pm
Many congrats to SpaceX. That was smoooooth.

William Graham's article updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/falcon-9-vandenberg-launch-formosat-5/

Many thanks to Chris G at Vandy with the updates. Steven and Zach and others for the coverage.

And again, the site's coping well these days. That's thanks to the L2 members....and I can't stress it enough that there's no way in hell we'd cope without a fancy hosting package funded by L2 subs, so my signature applies.

PS Here's what happens with the site when SpaceX launch (note, we're already really busy before the spike. The spike is when SpaceX end the webcast and everyone piles into here to discuss it ;D)
If you watch SpaceX launches on a regular basis and are not subscribed to L2, you should not be asking yourself if you should get it, you should be asking yourself why you have waited for so long.

Content is 10/10 plus you support the site.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: PahTo on 08/24/2017 08:02 pm
Congrats to all teams involved--nice to see S1 approach and land, and of course payload delivered.  As always, well done by NSF--thanks for the coverage and I second what Next says above...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Star One on 08/24/2017 08:03 pm
Congratulations to all.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: wannamoonbase on 08/24/2017 08:07 pm
Congrats to all teams involved--nice to see S1 approach and land, and of course payload delivered.  As always, well done by NSF--thanks for the coverage and I second what Next says above...

Great job SpaceX and NSF community.

Really enjoying the regular launch and landings.

Fingers crossed for payload fairing recovery before the end of 2017.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/24/2017 08:10 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX! Got 12 launches this year so far, 4 months to go too.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: daveglo on 08/24/2017 08:58 pm
Nice work again, SpaceXers!  You folks are doing a job NO ONE ELSE can do, and doing it well!  The successes at payload delivery and booster recovery are amazing!

Keep up the good work!  Like someone else noted: SMOOTH.

Also kudos to the NSF team!  Keeping the rest of us in the know!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 09:21 pm
Update thread folks, one congratulatory post each. If your post is a question, it belongs in the discussion thread.

And support L2 if you haven't already.  or even if you have... there are always deserving folks that could use a scholarship.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Joffan on 08/24/2017 09:26 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX for a smooth launch - it was interesting to see a single burn ascent to a slightly higher low-earth orbit - and of course the now-usual solid landing.

And thanks as usual for capturing the occasion to NSF and contributors.

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 08/24/2017 09:39 pm
Congrats to SpaceX for another perfect launch!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Toastmastern on 08/24/2017 10:10 pm
Congratz SpaceX! You make it look so easy!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/24/2017 10:30 pm
"Fantastic fifteen"!! 8) This is getting "ridiculously-routine" in a good way... ;) Congrats, well done SpaceX and thanks for the team coverage at NSF! :)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: AC in NC on 08/24/2017 10:52 pm
Congrats!!!

Who'd have thought at this point the hardest things seems to be a Stable Live ASDS Landing Video Feed.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/24/2017 11:12 pm
NPSO confirm successful launch: http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/tw2015/info/news.shtml?id=000600&hid=nu9CFVU3bS (http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/tw2015/info/news.shtml?id=000600&hid=nu9CFVU3bS)

Google translation from Chinese:

Quote
Formosat Satellite No. 5 Success and Ground Link

News source: NSPO 2017/08/25

Formosat, No. 5, at 2:50 am on August 25, at the Vandenberg base in the United States, was launched by SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. The satellite was successfully released from the Rockets 11 minutes and 16 seconds, into the 720 km mission track.

National Institute of Experimental National Space Center 71 minutes after the launch of 16 seconds, obtained by the Falcon 9 rocket back to the satellite and rocket separation time of the state vector, then began to track calculations, while the results spread to Norway in Swab (Svalbard) overseas stations, ready to receive satellite data. After the launch of 82 minutes and 56 seconds, Fu Wei V into the Svalbard ground station to receive the range, when the signal received spectrum rise, the Institute of Space Center satellite control center once again sounded a burst of cheers, Taiwan since then with the position in the 720 Kilometers of high-altitude operation of the blessing on the 5th.

National Institute of Experimental Press <BR> Research Institute of Space Center Yu Xianzheng tel: 03-578-4208 # 8273 / 0922-432275 email: [email protected]
National Institute of Space Center Zhang Siqian tel: 03-578-4208 # 8093 / 0926-252237 email: [email protected]
National Institute of the Institute of Li Ming Yang Tel: 02-6630-0622 / 0931-162081 email: [email protected]
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: marshal on 08/24/2017 11:15 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: cartman on 08/24/2017 11:17 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX for the 12th launch this year and to NSF for the always incredible coverage!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: king1999 on 08/24/2017 11:42 pm
NPSO confirm successful launch: http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/tw2015/info/news.shtml?id=000600&hid=nu9CFVU3bS (http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/tw2015/info/news.shtml?id=000600&hid=nu9CFVU3bS)

Google translation from Chinese:

Quote
Formosat Satellite No. 5 Success and Ground Link

News source: NSPO 2017/08/25

Formosat, No. 5, at 2:50 am on August 25, at the Vandenberg base in the United States, was launched by SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. The satellite was successfully released from the Rockets 11 minutes and 16 seconds, into the 720 km mission track.

National Institute of Experimental National Space Center 71 minutes after the launch of 16 seconds, obtained by the Falcon 9 rocket back to the satellite and rocket separation time of the state vector, then began to track calculations, while the results spread to Norway in Swab (Svalbard) overseas stations, ready to receive satellite data. After the launch of 82 minutes and 56 seconds, Fu Wei V into the Svalbard ground station to receive the range, when the signal received spectrum rise, the Institute of Space Center satellite control center once again sounded a burst of cheers, Taiwan since then with the position in the 720 Kilometers of high-altitude operation of the blessing on the 5th.

National Institute of Experimental Press <BR> Research Institute of Space Center Yu Xianzheng tel: 03-578-4208 # 8273 / 0922-432275 email: [email protected]
National Institute of Space Center Zhang Siqian tel: 03-578-4208 # 8093 / 0926-252237 email: [email protected]
National Institute of the Institute of Li Ming Yang Tel: 02-6630-0622 / 0931-162081 email: [email protected]

My translation :)
Formosat-5, at 2:50 am on August 25, at the Vandenberg base in the United States, was launched by SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. The satellite was successfully released from the Rockets 11 minutes and 16 seconds later, into the 720 km mission orbit.

National Applied Research Labs National Space Organization, 71 minutes 16 seconds after the launch, received the status parameter vector at the moment of separation which was sent back by the (second stage of) Falcon-9, and immediately started the calculation of the orbit, and transmitted the results to the oversea station at Svalbard so that it can prepare to receive information from the Satellite. 82 minutes and 56 seconds after the launch, Formosat-5 entered the range of Svalbard ground station. When the received signal rose (on the big display screen), a burst of cheers broke out at the Satellite control center at the space organization. Taiwan from now on can communicate with the Formosat-5 running in the high sky of 720 km.

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 12:20 am
Quote
That was quick: US JSpOC is now tracking #FormoSat5 launched this afternoon by SpaceX from Vandenberg as NORAD ID 2017-049A/42920.

https://twitter.com/astroguyz/status/900846220721229824
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 01:43 am
Let me add my congratulations to SpaceX and NSPO too.  Great to clear this mission off the backlog after 7 years!

SpaceX's great year continues, looking good to have the most launches of any launch provider globally this year. I also look forward to seeing this booster re-used, so it can pay its way after substituting for a F1e :)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 02:20 am
First batch of the as usual excellent SpaceX launch photos
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Dante80 on 08/25/2017 03:50 am
As always, a pleasure to watch. Congratulations to everyone involved for another campaign in the bag!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: catdlr on 08/25/2017 04:04 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil

FALCON 9 LAUNCHES FROM VANDENBERG

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -  Team Vandenberg launched the FORMOSAT-5
satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here
Thursday, Aug. 24, at 11:51 a.m. PDT.

Col. Gregory E. Wood , 30th Space Wing vice commander, was the launch safety
authority.

"The 30th Space Wing takes great pride in supporting another successful SpaceX
launch," said Wood. "It is a sterling example of the wing's commitment to
public safety and mission success on the Western Range."

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket delivers FORMOSAT-5, an Earth observation satellite
for Taiwan's National Space Organization, to a low-Earth orbit.

"The Falcon 9 launch of Formosat-5 was an incredible mission to be a part of!
This was the first satellite manufactured and integrated entirely by Taiwan
and it was also the fastest turn-around time between Falcon launches here at
Space Launch Complex-4," said Capt. Kylie Prachar, Air Force Launch Commander
for F9-40 Formosat-5 mission, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron. "Our Air Force
team put in a lot of work to support the mission and provide Fleet
Surveillance on behalf of the Space and Missile Systems Center."

FORMOSAT-5 will operate in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 720-km
with a 98.28 degree inclination angle. As with the FORMOSAT-2 satellite, the
primary payload on FORMOSAT-5 is an optical Remote Sensing Instrument (RSI),
which provides 2-meter resolution panchromatic (black & white) and 4-meter
resolution multi-spectral (color) images. FORMOSAT-5 also hosts a secondary
scientific payload, an Advanced Ionospheric Probe, developed by Taiwan's
National Central University.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: catdlr on 08/25/2017 04:26 am
SpaceX launch reaction

SantaMariaTimes
Published on Aug 24, 2017

Taiwanese journalists react with cheers after the successful launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a Taiwanese National Space Organization satellite, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, at 11:51 a.m. Thursday.

https://youtu.be/3tME3-CWUrk?t=001

https://youtu.be/3tME3-CWUrk
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 05:12 am
Quote
Falcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructions

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900947535358967808 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900947535358967808)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 05:25 am
Quote
Touchdown:
Vertical Velocity (m/s): -1.47
Lateral Velocity  (m/s): -0.15
Tilt (deg):  0.40 ​
Lateral position: 0.7m from target center

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900951975671373824
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 05:58 am
Quote
Max velocity: Mach 6.9
Max altitude: 247 km
Highest so far, but velocity matters much more

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900958153533042689
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: guckyfan on 08/25/2017 08:17 am
Most interesting to me is this.

Quote
Probably 2m or so

as a reply to a question how precise landings into the launch cradle will need to be.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900954066292924417

Quite a big tolerance. Should be doable with stable weather with RTLS.

Edit: It was already in this thread, where it fits better.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43632.msg1716054#msg1716054
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 08:22 am
Quote
Max velocity: Mach 6.9
Max altitude: 247 km
Highest so far, but velocity matters much more

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900958153533042689

Elon has added:

Quote
Max recovered booster velocity was Mach 7.9 (BulgarianSat). Energy is velocity squared, so this is a bigger difference than it appears

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900994666660626432

Edit: now pasted the correct copy ...  :-[
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: tvg98 on 08/25/2017 08:26 am
Quote
Max velocity: Mach 6.9
Max altitude: 247 km
Highest so far, but velocity matters much more

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900958153533042689

Elon has added:

Quote
Horio said that, once in commercial service, Interstellar will sell launches of Momo for $300,000 each. The company expects to produce one rocket every one to two months.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900994666660626432

I think you got that lost quote mixed up  :P
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 08/25/2017 11:28 am
I don't know if this has been reported before:

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201708250005.aspx

Customer confirms that Formosat-5 is communicating with its ground-station.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: NX-0 on 08/25/2017 11:53 am
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Targeteer on 08/25/2017 07:50 pm
FORMOSAT-5   2017-049A           99.26min      98.29deg   730km   717km
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: catdlr on 08/25/2017 11:51 pm
SpaceX Falcon 9 Formosat-5 Launch


30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB
Published on Aug 24, 2017


Team Vandenberg launched the FORMOSAT-5 satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket delivers FORMOSAT-5, an Earth observation satellite for Taiwan's National Space Organization, to a low-Earth orbit.

FORMOSAT-5 will operate in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 720-km with a 98.28-degree inclination angle. As with the FORMOSAT-2 satellite, the primary payload on FORMOSAT-5 is an optical Remote Sensing Instrument (RSI), which provides 2-meter resolution panchromatic (black & white) and 4-meter resolution multi-spectral (color) images. FORMOSAT-5 also hosts a secondary scientific payload, an Advanced Ionospheric Probe, developed by Taiwan's National Central University.

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

https://youtu.be/CRAjkzYxcbI
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Lewis007 on 08/26/2017 06:54 am
Some launch pics posted by VAFB
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/27/2017 12:20 am
For the booster's return:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43638.0
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/28/2017 09:59 am
Update article from yesterday's Taipei Times:

Quote
Operations are smooth on satellite’s first day in orbit

Staff writer, with CNA, Los Angeles

Formosat-5, Taiwan’s first domestically built satellite, is operating smoothly after its first day in orbit, a National Space Organization (NSPO) official said in the US on Friday. [...]

The satellite is expected to begin providing data that can be used for national security, geopolitics, scientific and academic purposes in about two weeks, the NSPO said. [...]

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/08/27/2003677274
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/29/2017 04:24 am
Couple of SpaceX landing photos
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 09/19/2017 04:18 am
Bad news. First image shows Formosat-5 is out of focus
http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/paper/1136494
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 09/19/2017 09:57 am
Formosat-5 detects two intense solar flares
Quote
Formosat-5, Taiwan’s first domestically designed and built satellite, detected the most intense solar flares in 12 years on Wednesday last week and on Monday, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) associate professor Lin Chien-hung (林建宏) said yesterday.
Harmful radiation from a solar flare cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere, but the radiation, when intense enough, can disturb a layer of the atmosphere where GPS and communications signals travel, NASA said on Wednesday.
“About three weeks ago, a group of sunspots mushroomed on the sun’s surface,” Lin said. “Their magnetic force is strong, but unstable, causing solar flares and particles to erupt outward.”
Fortunately the two flares did not strike the Earth directly, or they would have created a stronger geomagnetic storm that could last for several days, he said.
The first flare was classified as an X9.3-class flare, which traveled at between 700km and 800km per second, but its effect was minor, Lin said.
The second flare was classified as an X8.2-class flare that could create a minor geomagnetic storm on Earth today, he said.
Thanks to Formosat-5, which was launched on Aug. 25, researchers can collect more data about space weather and make forecasts, he said.
Formosat-5 can observe changes to the ionosphere using its Advanced Ionospheric Probe (AIP), which was designed by National Central University’s professor Chao Chi-kuang (趙吉光) and is superior to Formosat-1’s AIP designed in the US, Lin said.
Lin is a member of NCKU’s Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Space Coupling Laboratory, which began working with the US National Center for Atmospheric Research in April this year.
“The US center hopes to obtain preliminary results from Formosat-5 before the launch of Formosat-7 next year,” Lin said, adding that the US National Weather Service and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts pay close attention to Taiwan’s progress in space technology.
Formosat-7 is a collaborative program between Taiwan and the US, with its parts and database made by Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO) and its antennae by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as the latter hopes to keep some information confidential, Lin said.
NSPO officials and Lin’s team are to participate in the International Radio Occultation Working Group’s meeting about Formosat-7 in the US next week, he said.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/09/13/2003678337
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 09/19/2017 09:59 am
More details
FormoSat-5 images out of focus; adjustment may take months: NARLabs
Quote
Taipei, Sept. 19 (CNA) The first photos taken by Taiwan's FormoSat-5 satellite were fuzzy and marred by light spots, which were caused by a focusing problem on the satellite's remote sensing instrument (RSI), the designer National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) said Tuesday

The NT$5.6 billion (US$186 million) FormoSat-5, which was launched in the United States Aug. 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is designed to capture panchromatic images with a resolution of up to two meters per pixel, and multispectral images with a resolution of four meters per pixel.

However, the first images of Earth taken by the RSI were blurry and those of urban areas were marred by light spots, Yu Shiann-jeng (余憲政), deputy chief of NARLabs' National Space Organization (NSPO), confirmed in the wake of local media reports on the issue.

Yu said that after days of observation, the NSPO had concluded that there was a problem with the RSI's focusing function and was trying to make some adjustments.

Regarding the light spots on the images, he said the NSPO was trying to adjust the position and interior temperature of the satellite, among other measures being taken to solve the problem.

The NSPO will also compare the images taken by FormoSat-5 and its predecessor FormoSat-2, using software to improve the former's image resolution, Yu said.

Meanwhile, NARLabs Vice President Wu Kuang-chong (吳光鐘) said the initial testing of FormoSat-5 will take time.

"The current assessment is that the image adjustment will take about two to three months to complete," he said.

FormoSat-5, a 450-kg octagonal shape mini-satellite that is 2.8 meters in height and 1.6 meters in diameter, was designed and built by the NSPO.

The satellite's mission is to advance and demonstrate Taiwan's indigenous space technology in the field of remote sensing satellites, to continue to serve global imagery users previously served by FormoSat-2, and to promote domestic space science research, according to the NSPO.

FormoSat-5 carries an optical remote sensing payload and a science payload to execute remote sensing missions and perform science research, respectively.

(By Huang Li-yun and Elizabeth Hsu)
Enditem/pc
http://m.focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201709190014.aspx
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: SmallKing on 10/30/2017 12:45 pm
Chen said the optics would be corrected to their intended quality by December
https://www.inside.com.tw/2017/10/30/formosat-5-cmos-modify
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/29/2017 08:30 am
Quote
Formosat-5 images now still better: NSPO official

PROGRESS:While images taken by the satellite can now be used for disaster prevention, better resolution is needed for use in urban planning and mapping

By Lin Chia-nan  /  Staff reporter

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/11/29/2003683110 (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/11/29/2003683110)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/04/2018 06:27 am
Worth capturing a key conclusion from the investigations into Formosat-5’s imaging issues:

Quote
NSPO Deputy Director General Yu Shiann-jeng (余憲政) said the organization has ruled out the possibility that something happened during the transport or launch of Taiwan's first self-made satellite to cause the images produced by FormoSat-5 to be blurry and contain light spots.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201801030010.aspx (http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201801030010.aspx)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES
Post by: Roy_H on 01/04/2018 02:43 pm
Worth capturing a key conclusion from the investigations into Formosat-5’s imaging issues:

Quote
NSPO Deputy Director General Yu Shiann-jeng (余憲政) said the organization has ruled out the possibility that something happened during the transport or launch of Taiwan's first self-made satellite to cause the images produced by FormoSat-5 to be blurry and contain light spots.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201801030010.aspx (http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201801030010.aspx)
"Achieving commercial value meant image resolutions of 3 meters per pixel for panchromatic images (essentially black-and-white) and 5 meters per pixel for multi-spectral (capturing bands of colors) images.

But that still falls short of the NSPO's goal of 2 meters per pixel for panchromatic images and 4 meters per pixel for multi-spectral images."

So they are almost to their target resolution, 5m vs 4m can't be that big of a deal for customers.