Jeff Foust – @jeff_foustAt #ExoPAG mtg, NASA’s Martin Still says TESS exoplanet mission on track, but Dec. launch on F9 could slip due to SpaceX schedule issues.
Jeff Foust – @jeff_foustHertz’s chart of missions shows a Dec 2017 launch date for TESS. But hearing launch schedule issues will delay it to early 2018. #AAS229
After review of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle certification schedule & anomaly recovery @NASA_TESS launch date has moved to NET 3/20/18
Hertz adds TESS launch on a Falcon 9 slipped from December 2017 to March 2018 because of NASA launch vehicle certification delays.
Tweet from Jeff Foust:QuoteHertz adds TESS launch on a Falcon 9 slipped from December 2017 to March 2018 because of NASA launch vehicle certification delays.
And a ridiculous to-scale in the fairing image.
Quote from: speedevil on 12/25/2016 06:38 pmAnd a ridiculous to-scale in the fairing image.Based on the small size of this payload, I assume this is RTLS? Has that been announced?
Quote from: Norm38 on 03/29/2017 02:13 pmQuote from: speedevil on 12/25/2016 06:38 pmAnd a ridiculous to-scale in the fairing image.Based on the small size of this payload, I assume this is RTLS? Has that been announced?TESS is 350 kg - so yes. Very RTLS.
Quote from: whitelancer64 on 03/29/2017 02:56 pmQuote from: Norm38 on 03/29/2017 02:13 pmQuote from: speedevil on 12/25/2016 06:38 pmAnd a ridiculous to-scale in the fairing image.Based on the small size of this payload, I assume this is RTLS? Has that been announced?TESS is 350 kg - so yes. Very RTLS.Good candate for a falcon 1 type veh or ride share
Just for the record - the alternatives considered were Athena-2c or Taurus-3210, both with additional Star-37FM, an Antares with kick-motor or the unmodified, but somewhat oversized Falcon-9.
Quote from: Skyrocket on 03/29/2017 08:17 pmJust for the record - the alternatives considered were Athena-2c or Taurus-3210, both with additional Star-37FM, an Antares with kick-motor or the unmodified, but somewhat oversized Falcon-9.Interesting, I did not know Antares was certified to carry a Class B (I think?) payload. Or was anticipated to be certified to do that.
A look inside the @NASA_TESS spacecraft @OrbitalATK; @NASA's next #exoplanet hunter!
....Just for the record - the alternatives considered were Athena-2c or Taurus-3210, both with additional Star-37FM, an Antares with kick-motor or the unmodified, but somewhat oversized Falcon-9.
Cost and Schedule StatusThe TESS project delayed its launch readiness date by 7 months from August 2017 to March 2018 due to launch vehicle and instrument-related delays, but it still plans to launch before its committed launch date and within its cost baseline. ...LaunchAccording to NASA officials, several launch vehicle related issues led to the delay in TESS’s planned launch date. First, SpaceX required additional time to certify its upgraded Falcon 9 through NASA’s Launch Services Program since it will be the first time that NASA will use this version of the vehicle. The certification process includes criteria, such as having six successful launches. In addition, SpaceX needed time to investigate and resolve an anomaly that caused a September 2016 launch mishap. NASA has renegotiated its launch contract with SpaceX to account for these delays. SpaceX continues to upgrade the Falcon 9 and, as part of the negotiation process, NASA gained the right not to be the first launch on the planned Block 5 version of the vehicle.PROJECT OFFICE COMMENTSIn commenting on a draft of this assessment, TESS project officials said they are on track to meet their March 2018 launch date, and are holding a significant amount of schedule reserves
The spacecraft team @OrbitalATK checks out the installation of one of the two solar arrays that will provide power to @NASA's @NASA_TESS.
The TESS team thinks there will be a 10 percent cut in terms of the number of planets that they expect to be able to detect.
Despite the reduction, Boss said TESS scientists believe they will still be able to meet the mission’s primary science requirements, and thus there is no need to fix the cameras.