Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : OneWeb F20 (20x) : VSFB SLC-4E : 19/20 October 2024 (05:13 UTC)  (Read 26578 times)

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

SpaceX F9 : OneWeb F20 (20 satellites)



Discussion thread for OneWeb launch no. 20 by SpaceX.

Launch aboard Falcon 9 B1082-7 on 20 October 2024 at 05:13 UTC (19 October 10:13 pm PDT), from VSFB SLC-4E, with 20 first generation OneWeb satellites.  First stage successfully landed at LZ-4.

OneWeb Constellation Thread (has links to OneWeb launch threads)



https://twitter.com/EutelsatGroup/status/1827293983195750605

Quote
Bon voyage! 🚛

20 Eutelsat OneWeb satellites have set off on a road trip across the USA from the @AirbusSpace U.S. Space & Defense factory in Florida over to Vandenberg, California, ahead of our #EutelsatOneWebLaunch20 with @SpaceX – expected no earlier than next month.

Is this new OneWeb launch contract new? I don't think we have heard of Eutelsat planning to launch replenishment satellites this year, never mind with SpaceX...
« Last Edit: 10/20/2024 07:25 am by zubenelgenubi »
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery.

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10815
  • US
  • Liked: 15025
  • Likes Given: 6586
That would be a light load.  I don't know of any rideshare candidates offhand but wouldn't be shocked if there was one.

Offline ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8580
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2481
  • Likes Given: 2146
Just use a shortened dispenser if launching 20 satellites.

I wouldn't want to see a normal-sized dispenser that's half full.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1982
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1959
  • Likes Given: 1228
The SpaceX dispensers for 8 Oneweb satellites each were stacked.
So why 20 and not 24 satellites? And more importantly, why Vandenberg and not Florida? Where the satellites are built.
There is probably another payload. Similar to OneWeb/Iridium

Offline ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8580
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2481
  • Likes Given: 2146
The SpaceX dispensers for 8 Oneweb satellites each were stacked.
So why 20 and not 24 satellites? And more importantly, why Vandenberg and not Florida? Where the satellites are built.
There is probably another payload. Similar to OneWeb/Iridium.

Falcon 9 doesn't have to launch from just Florida to polar, sun-synchronous, or near-polar orbits. It can launch from Vandenberg directly down the trajectory toward an 87.9-degree orbit (the OneWeb satellites' orbital inclination) without a dogleg maneuver.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1982
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1959
  • Likes Given: 1228
The SpaceX dispensers for 8 Oneweb satellites each were stacked.
So why 20 and not 24 satellites? And more importantly, why Vandenberg and not Florida? Where the satellites are built.
There is probably another payload. Similar to OneWeb/Iridium.

Falcon 9 doesn't have to launch from just Florida to polar, sun-synchronous, or near-polar orbits. It can launch from Vandenberg directly down the trajectory toward an 87.9-degree orbit (the OneWeb satellites' orbital inclination) without a dogleg maneuver.

The Falcon 9 launch from Florida three times with 40 OneWeb sats each time using a dogleg maneuver and was then able to land the first stage on land. So why the long transport to Vandenberg for 20 satellites?

Offline Skyrocket

  • Extreme Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2673
  • Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Liked: 1026
  • Likes Given: 198
So why 20 and not 24 satellites?

Because only 20 Block 1 satellites are left (not  counting those stranded at Baikonur). Launching them is likely cheaper than keeping them in storage.

Vandenberg has likely be chosen because of available launch slots.
« Last Edit: 08/24/2024 04:59 pm by Skyrocket »

Offline ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8580
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2481
  • Likes Given: 2146
The SpaceX dispensers for 8 Oneweb satellites each were stacked.
So why 20 and not 24 satellites? And more importantly, why Vandenberg and not Florida? Where the satellites are built.
There is probably another payload. Similar to OneWeb/Iridium.

Falcon 9 doesn't have to launch from just Florida to polar, sun-synchronous, or near-polar orbits. It can launch from Vandenberg directly down the trajectory toward an 87.9-degree orbit (the OneWeb satellites' orbital inclination) without a dogleg maneuver.

The Falcon 9 launch from Florida three times with 40 OneWeb sats each time using a dogleg maneuver and was then able to land the first stage on land. So why the long transport to Vandenberg for 20 satellites?

Your first point is true, but the first stage can also land at Vandenberg LZ-4 because there's just as much fuel reserves after MECO.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1982
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1959
  • Likes Given: 1228
We'll see, I suspect there's a co-passenger. That's why in Vandenberg.

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13320
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8952
  • Likes Given: 88700
That would be a light load.  I don't know of any rideshare candidates offhand but wouldn't be shocked if there was one.
I'm "spitballing" this: rideshare with SDA spacecraft(s)?  Are there any of those intended for PLEO?
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline raptorx2

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 302
  • san diego, ca
  • Liked: 176
  • Likes Given: 5
?? Could they launch (VLEO test) Starlink Gen v2.0 Mini to the 97.6 shell? Is that inclination change even possible?

+++  Iridium still has a single ground spare satellite that has yet to be launched
« Last Edit: 08/26/2024 01:56 am by raptorx2 »

Offline AndrewM

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 487
  • United States
  • Liked: 568
  • Likes Given: 946
That would be a light load.  I don't know of any rideshare candidates offhand but wouldn't be shocked if there was one.
I'm "spitballing" this: rideshare with SDA spacecraft(s)?  Are there any of those intended for PLEO?

Next launch of SDA sats should be Tranche 1 Transport Layer A which was a full set awarded under NSSL Phase 2 so I doubt it would be a rideshare but it was targeting September 2024 last I heard.

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13320
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8952
  • Likes Given: 88700
That would be a light load.  I don't know of any rideshare candidates offhand but wouldn't be shocked if there was one.
I'm "spitballing" this: rideshare with SDA spacecraft(s)?  Are there any of those intended for PLEO?
Next launch of SDA sats should be Tranche 1 Transport Layer A which was a full set awarded under NSSL Phase 2 so I doubt it would be a rideshare but it was targeting September 2024 last I heard.
SDA T1TL-A is now NET end of 2024.

Starlink 9-6 currently scheduled to launch September 12 UTC.  Maybe this launch will be next after that: NET ~September 15?

Edit September 13: No, Starlink 9-17 is next, currently scheduled on September 18.
« Last Edit: 09/13/2024 07:05 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13320
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8952
  • Likes Given: 88700
Next Vandenberg Falcon 9 launches:

Starlink 9-17           Sep 20                           OCISLY

Starlink 9-8             Sep 25 ~Sep 25/26?   OCISLY

OneWeb Flight 20  NET end of Sep            LZ-4?

Starlink 9-TBD        NET early Oct               OCISLY

Any new news?
« Last Edit: 09/20/2024 08:10 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13320
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8952
  • Likes Given: 88700
Is this new OneWeb launch contract new? I don't think we have heard of Eutelsat planning to launch replenishment satellites this year, never mind with SpaceX...

So why 20 and not 24 satellites?
Because only 20 Block 1 satellites are left (not  counting those stranded at Baikonur). Launching them is likely cheaper than keeping them in storage.

Vandenberg has likely been chosen because of available launch slots.

Cross-post from the F19 launch thread:
Launch is scheduled for Early-May and will include 15 Gen1 OneWeb satellites, as well as 1 Gen2 prototype.
Quote
The next GSLV will be the last one needed to reach global coverage (36 sats) then we will launch 16 sats early May (15 are Gen1 and 1 is an early demo for Gen2) and we will be left with 20 ground spares to be launched at a later stage.
https://twitter.com/M_Ladovaz/status/1634693353936748546
« Last Edit: 09/20/2024 08:35 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline GewoonLukas_

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1883
  • Lukas C. H.
  • Netherlands
  • Liked: 4601
  • Likes Given: 2078
First NOTAM is out, launching September 30th in the early morning:

Quote
A3093/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5049S02328E580
A) FAJO B) 2409300900 C) 2410060903
D) 30 SEP 0900-0933, 01 OCT 0855-0928, 02 OCT 0850-0923, 03 OCT
0845-0918, 04 OCT 0840-0913, 05 OCT 0835-0908, 06 OCT 0830-0903
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4251S 02515E, 4243S 02234E, 5948S 02010E, 5956S
02405E):  SPACEX ONEWEB-4 STAGE 2 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE.
F) SFC G) UNL
Lukas C. H. • Hobbyist Mission Patch Artist 🎨 • May the force be with you my friend, Ad Astra Per Aspera ✨️

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

First NOTAM is out, launching September 30th in the early morning:

Quote
A3093/24 NOTAMN
Q) FAJO/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/5049S02328E580
A) FAJO B) 2409300900 C) 2410060903
D) 30 SEP 0900-0933, 01 OCT 0855-0928, 02 OCT 0850-0923, 03 OCT
0845-0918, 04 OCT 0840-0913, 05 OCT 0835-0908, 06 OCT 0830-0903
E) AREA BOUNDED BY (4251S 02515E, 4243S 02234E, 5948S 02010E, 5956S
02405E):  SPACEX ONEWEB-4 STAGE 2 ROCKET RE-ENTRY OPS TAKING PLACE.
F) SFC G) UNL

B0776/24 NOTAMN
Q) MMFR/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/
A) MMFR
B) 2409300649
C) 2410060658
D) 30 0649-0728, 01 0644-0723, 02 0639-0718, 03 0634-0713,
   04 0629-0708, 05 0624-0703, 06 0619-0658
E) DANGEROUS AREA FOR REENTRY OF ROCKET ONEWEB-4
   LATERAL LIMIT AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FLW POINTS:
   30 51N 120 38W
   30 56N 120 28W
   30 25N 120 27W
   30 23N 120 11W
   30 05N 120 06W
   30 34N 120 38W
   30 51N 120 38W
   MMFR
F) SFC
G) UNL
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery.

Offline OneSpeed

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1798
  • Liked: 5490
  • Likes Given: 2306
First NOTAM is out, launching September 30th in the early morning: ...
B0776/24 NOTAMN ...

Although the S2 re-entry area makes sense for a SSO polar launch, I don't know what to make of the booster re-entry area.

EDIT:

NGA Space Debris notice that is effectively a Rocket Launching notice.

Updated map from the combined notices. Fairing splashdown area in red, failed boostback burn in orange, and the previous NOTAM area in yellow.
« Last Edit: 09/25/2024 10:25 pm by OneSpeed »

Offline catdlr

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15295
  • Enthusiast since the Redstone and Thunderbirds
  • Marina del Rey, California, USA
  • Liked: 13252
  • Likes Given: 10142
First NOTAM is out, launching September 30th in the early morning: ...
B0776/24 NOTAMN ...

Although the S2 re-entry area makes sense for an SSO launch, I don't know what to make of the booster re-entry area.

Would it make a difference if you left out this data point?
30 05N 120 06W
It's Tony De La Rosa, ...I don't create this stuff, I just report it.

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

First NOTAM is out, launching September 30th in the early morning: ...
B0776/24 NOTAMN ...

Although the S2 re-entry area makes sense for an SSO launch, I don't know what to make of the booster re-entry area.

OneWeb satellites operates at 1200 km orbits @ 87.9° inclination, so it's more like non-SSO polar orbit.
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery.

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0