Here is where that announcement is discussed in the Formosat-5 Discussion thread: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21984.msg1649492#msg1649492Regarding the Wired article, it didn't strike me as biased either. It did say, "SpaceX will pay 1.25 percent of the launch costs back to them for every month that Formosat-5 is delayed, according to the mission’s contract." I wonder what point that started counting from.~Kirk
IIRC, there was a limit on the penalty amount.
Should add in all the milestone payments for commercial crew.
Quote from: AncientU on 08/24/2017 07:35 pmQuote from: gospacex on 08/24/2017 07:18 pmEven if SpaceX will have no more successful launches this year, they launched more than Arianespace this year: Ariane only has 11 launches (8 done, 3 yet to perform).2017 versus the main competition launchers: Ariane 5(4) + Atlas V(4) + Delta IV(1) + Proton(2) < Falcon 9(12)Note: Landed Boosters: Ariane 5(0) + Atlas V(0) + Delta IV(0) + Proton(0) < Falcon 9(9)Fair to point out that as of today (August 26, 2017) Ariane 5 has boosted 37.918 tonnes to GTO during 2017 while Falcon 9 has only lifted 27.398 tonnes to GTO. Most of Falcon 9's work this year has been to LEO, and most of that for governments. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: gospacex on 08/24/2017 07:18 pmEven if SpaceX will have no more successful launches this year, they launched more than Arianespace this year: Ariane only has 11 launches (8 done, 3 yet to perform).2017 versus the main competition launchers: Ariane 5(4) + Atlas V(4) + Delta IV(1) + Proton(2) < Falcon 9(12)Note: Landed Boosters: Ariane 5(0) + Atlas V(0) + Delta IV(0) + Proton(0) < Falcon 9(9)
Even if SpaceX will have no more successful launches this year, they launched more than Arianespace this year: Ariane only has 11 launches (8 done, 3 yet to perform).
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 01:43 amSpaceX's great year continues, looking good to have the most launches of any launch provider globally this year.China expects about 30 launches.QuoteQ: How many launches are you planning for this year?A: Around 30; China has a lot of domestic launch needs. For example, the Beidou navigation constellation is still at the deployment stage to become a global system by 2020. Also, there are some Chinese domestic programs for Earth observation, weather satellites, and also human exploration and deep space exploration programs. All these areas are requiring a significant number of launches. Last year we were on par with the U.S. for 22 launches. I think this year we might be No. 1 in terms of launches. (Editor’s note: this interview was conducted before the July 2 failure of China’s Long March 5 rocket.)http://spacenews.com/back-to-back-commercial-satellite-wins-leave-china-great-wall-hungry-for-more/
SpaceX's great year continues, looking good to have the most launches of any launch provider globally this year.
Q: How many launches are you planning for this year?A: Around 30; China has a lot of domestic launch needs. For example, the Beidou navigation constellation is still at the deployment stage to become a global system by 2020. Also, there are some Chinese domestic programs for Earth observation, weather satellites, and also human exploration and deep space exploration programs. All these areas are requiring a significant number of launches. Last year we were on par with the U.S. for 22 launches. I think this year we might be No. 1 in terms of launches. (Editor’s note: this interview was conducted before the July 2 failure of China’s Long March 5 rocket.)
It looks like with this launch SpaceX passed another milestone - their year-to-date revenue now is > $1 B.Of course, the price numbers in the attached table are approximate, and the total estimate about ±10% inaccurate.However, even if they did not pass this $1 B threshold, they are very close
Quote from: smoliarm on 08/26/2017 06:01 pmIt looks like with this launch SpaceX passed another milestone - their year-to-date revenue now is > $1 B.Of course, the price numbers in the attached table are approximate, and the total estimate about ±10% inaccurate.However, even if they did not pass this $1 B threshold, they are very close Yes but there are usually milestone payments for all contracts, even commercial. So SpaceX already received some of the funds for launches this before the year started.
QuoteFalcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructionshttps://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900947535358967808
Falcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructions
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 05:12 amQuoteFalcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructionshttps://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900947535358967808Does it look to folks like this was a square on landing (not much tilt, not much difference in crush zone crushing)?
Quote from: Lar on 08/27/2017 01:54 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/25/2017 05:12 amQuoteFalcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructionshttps://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/900947535358967808Does it look to folks like this was a square on landing (not much tilt, not much difference in crush zone crushing)?The stage is 90 degrees vertical with respect to sea horizon in the pic, to the accuracy of an eyeball and the corner of an index card, so I'd call it square. Also, the vertical velocity and tilt numbers Elon quoted for touchdown seem quite low. Apparently he's bragging, with good reason.
No bragging. This is just the first round in prepping all of us for a surprise.
Quote from: woods170 on 08/28/2017 06:19 amNo bragging. This is just the first round in prepping all of us for a surprise.Is this your judgement, or do you know something?
Quote from: Barrie on 08/28/2017 04:20 pmQuote from: woods170 on 08/28/2017 06:19 amNo bragging. This is just the first round in prepping all of us for a surprise.Is this your judgement, or do you know something? In my dreams, the roomba thingy on the ASDS will start catching legless F-9 first stages soon.Matthew
At sea would be much harder than land, however, they would likely need to demonstrate it safely 'not at LZ-1' before they got a license to do it on land.
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 08/28/2017 04:37 pmAt sea would be much harder than land, however, they would likely need to demonstrate it safely 'not at LZ-1' before they got a license to do it on land.Nobody cares about a landing stage destroyed on LZ-1. As long as it hits the concrete circle there is no risk.