Quote from: rockets4life97 on 11/13/2017 07:11 pmQuote from: ZachS09 on 11/13/2017 07:04 pmQuote from: nisse on 11/13/2017 06:30 pmWhere does the name "Zuma" come from? Who named it?If I remember correctly, the name “Zuma” is of South African heritage, which is why Elon Musk named the payload “Zuma”.No. Zuma is the codename used by the government (unclear which agency) and the contractor (Northrop Grumman). Nothing to do with Elon Musk and SpaceX. Perhaps the Code name was indeed selected with Musk's South African background in mind. These code names are not always randomly chosen. One of the 60ies secret SIGINT missions was named LONG JOHN after a very tall team member, who developed the payload and WILD BILL was also named after one of the team members. Perhaps we will know, when ZUMA gets declassified in 50 years.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 11/13/2017 07:04 pmQuote from: nisse on 11/13/2017 06:30 pmWhere does the name "Zuma" come from? Who named it?If I remember correctly, the name “Zuma” is of South African heritage, which is why Elon Musk named the payload “Zuma”.No. Zuma is the codename used by the government (unclear which agency) and the contractor (Northrop Grumman). Nothing to do with Elon Musk and SpaceX.
Quote from: nisse on 11/13/2017 06:30 pmWhere does the name "Zuma" come from? Who named it?If I remember correctly, the name “Zuma” is of South African heritage, which is why Elon Musk named the payload “Zuma”.
Where does the name "Zuma" come from? Who named it?
QuoteNorthrop Grumman on #SpaceX Zuma launch: "This represents a cost effective approach to space access for government missions. Northrop realizes that this is monumental responsibility and has taken great care to ensure the most affordable and lowest risk scenario for Zuma."https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/930211593014652934
Northrop Grumman on #SpaceX Zuma launch: "This represents a cost effective approach to space access for government missions. Northrop realizes that this is monumental responsibility and has taken great care to ensure the most affordable and lowest risk scenario for Zuma."
Quote from: envy887 on 11/13/2017 08:13 pmLooks really close to 51.6 degrees. Is this going to have any close approaches to the ISS? It's odd that SpaceX has launched two USG classified birds to this inclination this year.Also, the end of the launch window (which they could definitely be aiming, to keep the orbit somewhat unknown before launch) *almost* (Off by 15-20 minutes) lines up to launching into the plane of the ISS. So it's close. Almost exactly the same as NROL-76. And yes there will most lightly be close passes to station.
Looks really close to 51.6 degrees. Is this going to have any close approaches to the ISS? It's odd that SpaceX has launched two USG classified birds to this inclination this year.
Okay, so what advantage could there be for a ~53 degree orbit, from a Milspace perspective?
Quote from: rockets4life97 on 11/13/2017 07:11 pmQuote from: ZachS09 on 11/13/2017 07:04 pmQuote from: nisse on 11/13/2017 06:30 pmWhere does the name "Zuma" come from? Who named it?If I remember correctly, the name “Zuma” is of South African heritage, which is why Elon Musk named the payload “Zuma”.No. Zuma is the codename used by the government (unclear which agency) and the contractor (Northrop Grumman). Nothing to do with Elon Musk and SpaceX.Also Zuma Engineering & Research, which I believe is in LA. IIRC one of their principles worked for Northrop Grumman a while back.
Just saw the new SpaceX photo of Falcon 9 and Zuma. It's up on the Update Thread.Looks really blank with barely any fairing art.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 11/15/2017 03:32 pmJust saw the new SpaceX photo of Falcon 9 and Zuma. It's up on the Update Thread.Looks really blank with barely any fairing art.Not even any NRO type abstract art?
Rumors are circulating that the launch will not be livestreamed according to this article. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/879593/spacex-launch-date-time-when-is-falcon-9-zuma-payload-space-nasa-elon-musk The source is dubious at best.
Quote from: 76794p on 11/15/2017 06:55 pmRumors are circulating that the launch will not be livestreamed according to this article. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/879593/spacex-launch-date-time-when-is-falcon-9-zuma-payload-space-nasa-elon-musk The source is dubious at best.Considering that they also think that FH will fly in late November, I wouldn't take this article too seriously - most likely they won't stream flight of 2nd stage (just like with NROL-76) and author of this article mistaken that for not streaming launch at all.
Quote from: Rebel44 on 11/15/2017 07:04 pmQuote from: 76794p on 11/15/2017 06:55 pmRumors are circulating that the launch will not be livestreamed according to this article. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/879593/spacex-launch-date-time-when-is-falcon-9-zuma-payload-space-nasa-elon-musk The source is dubious at best.Considering that they also think that FH will fly in late November, I wouldn't take this article too seriously - most likely they won't stream flight of 2nd stage (just like with NROL-76) and author of this article mistaken that for not streaming launch at all.The Express has gone downhill over the last 20 years or so. I don’t bother with it.