Quote from: TOG on 10/31/2016 05:36 pmWill/is the second stage attached for the static fire? The question goes to what doesn't go to the pad for the static fire: just the payload or the payload and second stage (Recall the second stage failed the static fire, even though it obviously was not being fired)? How does that affect the launch cadence? Do they have to build in more time for integration?What has been observed is that during 1st stage testing at McGregor they don't attach the 2nd stage, but when they do the pre-launch test fires at the launch site they do have the 2nd stage attached, and optionally the payload too (the customer has always had the option to not have the payload attached during test firings).
Will/is the second stage attached for the static fire? The question goes to what doesn't go to the pad for the static fire: just the payload or the payload and second stage (Recall the second stage failed the static fire, even though it obviously was not being fired)? How does that affect the launch cadence? Do they have to build in more time for integration?
Mobile satellite services provider Iridium Communications expects to complete negotiations with its lenders and its satellite manufacturer by the end of the year on loosening payment obligations to ride out the delay in the launch of its second-generation constellation.As it awaits word on when launch-service provider SpaceX will return to flight after a Sept. 1 explosion during a test procedure, Iridium is contending with multiple challenges. Many of them are at least partly the result of the fact that the company’s seven SpaceX launches, each carrying 10 Iridium Next satellites, likely will not be completed as planned by late 2017.McLean, Virginia-based Iridium until recently had assumed that 2018 would be its first full year of operations with the Iridium Next satellites.
The launch delay has a silver lining of sorts. With no launches, Iridium is not obliged to make some milestone payments to SpaceX and to Thales Alenia Space. As of Sept. 30, it had paid SpaceX about $339 million of contract’s full value of $468.1 million.Fitzpatrick said the launch delay has reduced Iridium’s capital spending for 2016 by at least $100 million, to between $400 million and $450 million.No effect on insurance from SpaceX failureThe SpaceX contract includes the right to a relaunch in the event of a failure of one of the seven contracted launches.Iridium Chief Executive Mathew J. Desch said during the conference call that the company completed its Iridium Next launch insurance policy — also among the debt convent requirements — around the time of the Sept. 1 SpaceX explosion and that the terms and conditions did not change as a result of the failure.
“We have 10 satellites ready and waiting in the SpaceX processing facility at Vandenberg,” Desch said Oct. 27. “Transport of these satellites from Orbital’s facility in Arizona, as well as the satellite to dispenser mating process, all went very smoothly. The fairing which covers the satellite during launch is also at Vandenberg, so we’re just waiting for SpaceX’s rocket to arrive in a few weeks, as well as the final clearance to launch.”
There's no active FAA licence for SpaceX launches out of Vandenberg; how soon before launch would a licence have to be issued?
According to this article Iridium booster will arrive to Vandenberg in a few weeks. It means that it can be the one, which is on McGregor test stand right now.
Quote from: Raul on 11/02/2016 11:48 amAccording to this article Iridium booster will arrive to Vandenberg in a few weeks. It means that it can be the one, which is on McGregor test stand right now....but we had eyes on observation of the S1 there. Or they could have shipped it back out after the AMOS-6 incident.... but absolutely had a booster there before the wildfire.
There may be multiple sources confirming that a first stage was shipped to Vandyland, but I would be surprised if multiple sources said there was one there now.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/02/2016 01:54 pmQuote from: Raul on 11/02/2016 11:48 amAccording to this article Iridium booster will arrive to Vandenberg in a few weeks. It means that it can be the one, which is on McGregor test stand right now....but we had eyes on observation of the S1 there. Or they could have shipped it back out after the AMOS-6 incident.... but absolutely had a booster there before the wildfire.This seems to be the most likely case, considering this comment by Spiiice (a SpaceX employee) in a recent Reddit thread:QuoteThere may be multiple sources confirming that a first stage was shipped to Vandyland, but I would be surprised if multiple sources said there was one there now.So B1029 went through McGregor in August, traveled on to VAFB, then Amos 6 happened and now its back at McGregor for a second round of testing?
Orbital ATK: We & Thales delivered 1st 10 IRDM Next sats; AIT done on 13 more. We'll await SpaceX launch schedule clarity before shipping.
https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/800428377173725185
Quote from: kkb350 on 11/20/2016 07:26 pmhttps://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/800428377173725185 This one must be arriving at VAFB.
If it's going to be mid December we should start seeing the prelaunch flow any day Can't wait, it's been very boring without SpaceX launch and landings.