There's clearly more paranoia/concern with this payload. First with the fairing, and now with the pad/GSE switch.Perhaps someone constantly is bringing up "what could go wrong?". And SX answers with "well, we could do X", so X gets done ...This one's been a bit different.
A full WDR would do the exact same things as a static fire except light the engines.
I've given Chris Gebhardt's previous Zuma article a big update based on latest status, etc. And also to revamp it into the new NSF news site style (all images changed, etc.) https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/spacex-falcon-9-launch-clandestine-zuma-satellite/
This may mean nothing but why hasn't the L-2 forecast been released yet?
I wonder if they get paid extra to doing 'X'?
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 01/03/2018 05:26 pmI wonder if they get paid extra to doing 'X'?They already get paid a lot more typically for doing government launches.The customer having more options to make them screw with the rocket and say what they're not happy with could is likely one of the reasons for this.
Quote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/03/2018 05:07 pmThere's clearly more paranoia/concern with this payload. First with the fairing, and now with the pad/GSE switch.Perhaps someone constantly is bringing up "what could go wrong?". And SX answers with "well, we could do X", so X gets done ...This one's been a bit different.I wonder if they get paid extra to doing 'X'?
Not only does Elon say it, he also emails the entire company. My friends on the inside mentioned that he sent an email about this launch stating that it was the most valuable satellite they have launched to date. Any misgivings or inklings of issues, then to call or email him directly and he would get teams on it to verify.
Not only does Elon say it, he also emails the entire company. My friends on the inside mentioned that he sent an email about this launch stating that it was the most valuable satellite they have launched to date.