Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - March 16, 2017 - UPDATES  (Read 186672 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

UPDATE ONLY Thread for Falcon 9 with EchoStar 23. Please use the other threads for non-updates.

NSF Threads for EchoStar 23 : Discussion / Updates / L2 SpaceX Mission Coverage January February March / ASDS / Party

NSF Articles for EchoStar 23 :
      Booster Prep: SpaceX prime Falcon 9 rockets for December return
      Booster/Site Prep: SpaceX set to return to action with RTF Falcon 9 launch of Iridium spacecraft
      Order of missions swapped: Dragon pulls rank as LC-39A readiness realigns SpaceX manifest
      SpaceX Static Fires Falcon 9 for EchoStar 23 launch as SLC-40 targets return
      SpaceX scrubs expendable Falcon 9 for launch of EchoStar 23

LC-39A Preparation Threads: Pad 39A - Transition to SpaceX Falcon Heavy debut - Thread 3 / L2 Coverage

NET March 16 on Falcon 9 from LC-39A at Cape Canaveral.


Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
   L2 SpaceX Section


Satellite built by SSL for EchoStar.  A flexible Ku band satellite capable of being used from 8 different orbital slots, it is expected to be initially used at 45deg slot over Brazil.  SSL-1300 bus, Ku band.

SSL Press Release
EchoStar
Echostar Launch Calendar

« Last Edit: 03/15/2017 01:46 pm by gongora »
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Offline Chris Bergin

Latest L2 KSC schedule (a more expansive one, used to ensure all related assets are on the same page) shows a schedule of F-10 Day – 30 December (today as of time of posting), Jan 10 for the Static Fire and also concurs with the other documented schedule of Jan 15 (2350-0220 Eastern) for the launch.

And once again, the caveat: At the best of times, these schedules are subject to change. Even more so with these upcoming SpaceX launches as they of course still have Iridium's launch to conduct before this one....and Iridium's dates still haven't been mentioned by SpaceX (we've only had the customer provide some milestone updates, such as mating/encapsulation, etc.)

Personally, I'm kinda expecting a fire hose of updates from SpaceX, where they hit us with "OK, FAA's happy, corrective actions incorporated, couple of days to Iridium launch, oh and EchoStar 23 right after that!" (but worded better ;D)) So we need to keep a close eye on it, but again in the knowledge dates are not real dates until the launch service provider (SpaceX) or the customer officially says so.
« Last Edit: 12/30/2016 08:08 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Chris Bergin

Latest preliminary placeholder is now January 26 per L2 KSC schedule update. The above still applies.
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Offline Chris Bergin

Posted in the discussion thread, not the update thread - silly me. I'll sort that out now. :)

NET Jan 30, just after midnight local time now, per L2 KSC schedule. Pad is the constraint, as the Static Fire date is what's moving as the primary driver (pending remaining pad work).
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Online jacqmans

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - Jan 30, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #4 on: 01/20/2017 08:54 am »
Media Accreditation Opens for SpaceX’s First Launch from Pad 39A

 
Media Contact:
John Taylor
[email protected]
310.363.6703

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – Jan. 19, 2017. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX’s first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than Jan. 30.  Pre-launch media activities are currently targeted for no earlier than Jan. 29.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deliver a commercial satellite to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Members of the media who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens (green card holders) and interested in covering the launch must fill out the media accreditation request form by 5:00 p.m. EST, on Monday, Jan. 23.

Requesting accreditation is not required of media who hold current annual press credentials issued by Kennedy Space Center, but it is appreciated for planning purposes.

For launches from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center 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. SpaceX typically obtains confirmation that these requests are approved about 48 hours prior to launch.

More details on the mission, the customer and pre-launch activities will be made available at a later date closer to launch.
Jacques :-)

Offline Kaputnik

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - Jan 30, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #5 on: 01/22/2017 11:46 am »
Elon has confirmed that this flight will be expendable, no ASDS landing attempt:

https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/822926184719609856
"I don't care what anything was DESIGNED to do, I care about what it CAN do"- Gene Kranz

Offline Chris Bergin

Now February. Moving every few days based on pad readiness for the Static Fire. Green light for the Static Fire will be a good indicator of where things stand.
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Offline Chris Bergin

NET Feb 3. Window opens 00:07 local time. Emphasis on the NET.
« Last Edit: 01/23/2017 11:04 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Raul

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #8 on: 01/26/2017 09:19 am »
F9-031 EchoStar-23 Launch Hazard Areas visualization
https://goo.gl/umnY2Q

For previous flights, you can choose older map here 1, 2, 3, 4, and mark there appropriate flight on the left bar.

Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #9 on: 01/26/2017 05:50 pm »
USLaunchReport just tweeted that a Falcon9 is vertical on 39A

https://twitter.com/USLaunchReport/status/824687362470973440

(Edit: Linked Don't post screenshots from your phone. PS It's unconfirmed. Likely just the TEL unless he shows there's a rocket there. Static Fire isn't for days, so it would be fit checks IF it's true - Chris).
« Last Edit: 01/26/2017 06:20 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Jim

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #10 on: 01/26/2017 06:49 pm »
TEL is up but the vehicle is too slender to see if it is there.  Plus the TEL is boxed in.

Offline Chris Bergin

Pic:

https://twitter.com/Markos_pen/status/824705175344607235

Big white TEL could easily be mistaken as the F9 from a distance.
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Offline Scylla

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #12 on: 01/26/2017 09:31 pm »
Walter Scriptunas II ‏@scriptunasphoto
Was in the area, so I decided to check out how @SpaceX is progressing on LC-39A work. The erector was up this evening. #SpaceX #Falcon9
https://twitter.com/scriptunasphoto

I reject your reality and substitute my own--Doctor Who

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Amazingly, NASA TV will be broadcasting this launch live! (Yeah I know it's pad 39A, but still....)  :o

11:30 p.m., Thursday, February 2 - Launch coverage of SpaceX EchoStar 23 from Launch Complex 39A (starts at 11:45 p.m.) (all channels)
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline Chris Bergin

Very much still working this, but despite some good TEL testing at the pad over recent days (including a cool test relating to how the TEL will work differently than you've seen before at SLC-40), there's a lot of doubt about making Feb 3, or even close to that.

This is literally like a brand new pad, there's bound to be teething issues and you really don't want something failing on your pad at T-0!

Working is as it's not documented (where you see "X company requesting change to NET....") but what I'm being told. Could get interesting as CRS-10 is fast becoming a priority, with Dragon barging her shoulders in the line saying "I'm more important!" in a Jim-style "more than a ComSat launch" ;)

Again, working it, preliminary - but I always pass on launch date stuff out of L2/where ever as I know folk book flights/hotels. Don't change any plans, but have options to do so.

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Offline mainmind

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #15 on: 01/28/2017 05:44 pm »

Offline woods170

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #16 on: 01/28/2017 08:35 pm »
Very much still working this, but despite some good TEL testing at the pad over recent days (including a cool test relating to how the TEL will work differently than you've seen before at SLC-40), there's a lot of doubt about making Feb 3, or even close to that.

This is literally like a brand new pad, there's bound to be teething issues and you really don't want something failing on your pad at T-0!

Working is as it's not documented (where you see "X company requesting change to NET....") but what I'm being told. Could get interesting as CRS-10 is fast becoming a priority, with Dragon barging her shoulders in the line saying "I'm more important!" in a Jim-style "more than a ComSat launch" ;)

Again, working it, preliminary - but I always pass on launch date stuff out of L2/where ever as I know folk book flights/hotels. Don't change any plans, but have options to do so.


Hearing via ESA source that the switch (CRS-10 going first) is a done deal. Word of caution: word is very much coming from the area that also hosts the watercooler and coffee machine.
« Last Edit: 01/28/2017 08:36 pm by woods170 »

Offline Chris Bergin

Yes - and per the above (which is an update as it's very relevant) - there's a growing word (as in people seeing decision notes, so this is getting rather real) that Dragon has pulled rank to go first. Nobody puts baby in the corner!

« Last Edit: 01/28/2017 09:04 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Online jacqmans

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - NET Feb 3, 2017 - UPDATES
« Reply #18 on: 01/29/2017 06:52 pm »
From SpaceX:

"SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February. Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch."
« Last Edit: 01/29/2017 06:53 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Per L2, NET Feb 28 (0027– 0257L - as in Eastern - L stands for "local"). But again, don't go booking flights. Got to get CRS-10 launched first.
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