Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION  (Read 785593 times)

Offline IntoTheVoid

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #460 on: 12/01/2017 08:17 pm »
Quote from: Chris Gebhardt
In another coincidence, NASA is currently scheduled to be the first and last SpaceX launch from the East Coast this year
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/slc-40-comes-back-with-crs-13-static-fire/


Strongly implies no expectation of getting this thing launched in Dec.
Given that they seem to be prepping 39A for FH, I was holding out some small hope that maybe this would go from Pad-40 after CRS-13. Seems not.

Offline rockets4life97

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #461 on: 12/02/2017 12:10 am »
Quote from: Chris Gebhardt
In another coincidence, NASA is currently scheduled to be the first and last SpaceX launch from the East Coast this year
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/slc-40-comes-back-with-crs-13-static-fire/


Strongly implies no expectation of getting this thing launched in Dec.
Given that they seem to be prepping 39A for FH, I was holding out some small hope that maybe this would go from Pad-40 after CRS-13. Seems not.

I think there is probably a general lack of information about Zuma. We probably won't hear about it launching until a week or less in advance is my guess.

Offline noogie

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #462 on: 12/02/2017 11:15 pm »
Let's assume worse case scenario - that a new fairing needs to be manufactured.
How long will that take and to have the payload encapsulated into it?

Offline deruch

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #463 on: 12/03/2017 02:50 am »
Let's assume worse case scenario - that a new fairing needs to be manufactured.
How long will that take and to have the payload encapsulated into it?

Without any idea of what the problem is it's hard to accurately guesstimate.  Have they found the cause and what is the solution to avoid the issue in subsequent fairings? 

Don't forget that since they missed the Nov. 30th launch deadline, there may be no rush to launch this payload anymore.  Given its nature we don't have much insight.
Shouldn't reality posts be in "Advanced concepts"?  --Nomadd

Offline crandles57

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #464 on: 12/06/2017 01:07 pm »
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
has Jan 4th likely 8pm EST

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
also has Jan 4th time TBD

Is that Jan 4th EST so that it is likely 5th 01:00 UTC?

Or might it be 01:00 UTC on the 4th?

Offline shuttlefan

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #465 on: 12/06/2017 01:19 pm »
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
has Jan 4th likely 8pm EST

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
also has Jan 4th time TBD

Is that Jan 4th EST so that it is likely 5th 01:00 UTC?

Or might it be 01:00 UTC on the 4th?

They also show it going from SLC-40.

Offline cppetrie

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #466 on: 12/06/2017 08:20 pm »
A launch on the 4th would seem to suggest that the fairing issue was a fix-it type of issue as opposed to a replace-it type of issue, yes? Could they have built a new set of fairings and shipped them across the country in about a month’s time? Im thinking they just needed to de-encapsulate in order to either test for the suspected problem or find it and fix it. Could more knowledgeable folks confirm or deny that line of thought?

Offline Kansan52

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #467 on: 12/06/2017 08:56 pm »
Or the discovered the problem didn't affect Zuma's fairing.

Offline Formica

Strongly implies no expectation of getting this thing launched in Dec.
Given that they seem to be prepping 39A for FH, I was holding out some small hope that maybe this would go from Pad-40 after CRS-13. Seems not.

I think there is probably a general lack of information about Zuma. We probably won't hear about it launching until a week or less in advance is my guess.

As noted in the CRS-13 thread, we now know that Zuma will launch from SLC-40 in "early January". I am a bit surprised - but certainly pleased! - with the turnaround speed. Also demonstrates confidence in SLC-40 going forward, and bodes well for Heavy.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/938510889484828673

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #469 on: 12/16/2017 12:48 pm »
So not sure which mission this is, but someone took a picture of a Falcon core on transporter at the LC-39A HIF yesterday. Looks like the stage 2 is still integrated?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcuyZ9Ags4e/
« Last Edit: 12/16/2017 12:51 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline CorvusCorax

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #470 on: 12/16/2017 01:14 pm »
So not sure which mission this is, but someone took a picture of a Falcon core on transporter at the LC-39A HIF yesterday. Looks like the stage 2 is still integrated?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcuyZ9Ags4e/

I wonder, is this the first time we ever see a complete F9 (without payload or fairing)  including 2nd stage, horizontal on anything BUT a transporter erector. If I remember right, people even speculated that they can't even be lifted off the TE without demating. Looks like they indeed can be moved around stacked together :)

This looks like a brand new core, so either the FH center core went out for a spin, or much more likely, they are bringing the Zuma launcher over to pad 40 to have 39A clear for FH


Any idea where it went after thos pic? If it headed for CCAFS I'd bet its Zuma's ride

Offline SmallKing

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #471 on: 12/16/2017 01:16 pm »
Apparently zuma
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Offline yokem55

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #472 on: 12/16/2017 06:07 pm »
So not sure which mission this is, but someone took a picture of a Falcon core on transporter at the LC-39A HIF yesterday. Looks like the stage 2 is still integrated?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcuyZ9Ags4e/

I wonder, is this the first time we ever see a complete F9 (without payload or fairing)  including 2nd stage, horizontal on anything BUT a transporter erector. If I remember right, people even speculated that they can't even be lifted off the TE without demating. Looks like they indeed can be moved around stacked together :)

This looks like a brand new core, so either the FH center core went out for a spin, or much more likely, they are bringing the Zuma launcher over to pad 40 to have 39A clear for FH


Any idea where it went after thos pic? If it headed for CCAFS I'd bet its Zuma's ride
I'm surprised they transported it integrated like that. I would have thought that the unsupported weight of the upper stage would have put too much strain on the interstage.

Offline Norm38

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #473 on: 12/16/2017 06:59 pm »
The interstage has to handle lateral flight loads on a fueled upper stage and the payload fairing. I'm not surprised it can support an empty stage.

Offline douglas100

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #474 on: 12/16/2017 07:34 pm »
Also, it takes the weight of the first stage when it's being handled by crane at Port Canaveral, LZ-1 and McGregor.

The F9 stages are integrated on the hangar floor before being raised by crane. Then the integrated vehicle is lowered on to the TEL and the various connections are made. The Zuma vehicle would be removed from the TEL and lowered on to the transporter in the reverse process.

Douglas Clark

Offline cro-magnon gramps

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #475 on: 12/20/2017 08:16 pm »
Strongly implies no expectation of getting this thing launched in Dec.
Given that they seem to be prepping 39A for FH, I was holding out some small hope that maybe this would go from Pad-40 after CRS-13. Seems not.

I think there is probably a general lack of information about Zuma. We probably won't hear about it launching until a week or less in advance is my guess.

As noted in the CRS-13 thread, we now know that Zuma will launch from SLC-40 in "early January". I am a bit surprised - but certainly pleased! - with the turnaround speed. Also demonstrates confidence in SLC-40 going forward, and bodes well for Heavy.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/938510889484828673
From the NSF Calendar:

January 5th - Events: Zuma - Falcon 9 - KSC LC39A 01:00 UT

Perhaps someone should check this for accuracy: MODS or Chris Bergin...

Would be a nice Birthday Present though - Thursday January 4th 8:00 PM EST :D 
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Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #476 on: 12/21/2017 05:09 am »
From the NSF Calendar:

January 5th - Events: Zuma - Falcon 9 - KSC LC39A 01:00 UT

Perhaps someone should check this for accuracy: MODS or Chris Bergin...

Would be a nice Birthday Present though - Thursday January 4th 8:00 PM EST :D 

01:00 UTC is the same launch time given in the press kit for the 17 November attempt.
« Last Edit: 12/21/2017 05:09 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #477 on: 12/29/2017 01:15 pm »
The NSF calendar still lists Zuma as launching from LC39A.  Is there a better thread to report this?

Fixed.  I think when people get around to editing the calendar they're mostly looking at the dates  :)

Online Comga

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #478 on: 12/29/2017 03:14 pm »
From the NSF Calendar:

January 5th - Events: Zuma - Falcon 9 - KSC LC39A 01:00 UT

Perhaps someone should check this for accuracy: MODS or Chris Bergin...

Would be a nice Birthday Present though - Thursday January 4th 8:00 PM EST :D 

01:00 UTC is the same launch time given in the press kit for the 17 November attempt.

Where will the ISS orbit be at that time?
IIRC, the 17 Nov launch time was close to the north-east bound ISS pass, which lead to some speculation.
Just askin'

And really, no news since 12/20 for a launch supposedly in a week?  I know we are all fascinated by Heavy but....
What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

Offline cscott

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Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #479 on: 12/29/2017 03:29 pm »
There is a small bit of information/confirmation in L2.  But Zuma has always been quite a quiet mission, I'm not surprised there's not a public hullabaloo.  And I'd expect official pictures of FH to come out from SpaceX PR sometime soon, and Zuma would be a distraction from that planned New Year's Party. IMO no Zuma news until the official FH press release party has run it's course.

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