Maybe it's a launch for an unacknowledged foreign government, through and with the cooperation of the US Government? It would explain why none of the agencies are taking ownership of it (assuming they're not lying, of course).
The rollout of FH for the static fire test is enough confirmation for me that the Zuma mission was a success. Business as usual. The steamroller continues.
Now catalogued as USA 280, 2018-001A, 43098. Naturally no orbital data given.
QuoteMy favorite remote camera image I took from last nights Zuma launch. My camera was setup at the launch pad and fitted with a Miops Smart Trigger. #spacex #Falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacexlaunch @elonmusk @SpaceX @Teslarati @MiopsTriggerhttps://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/950281149871542272Now imagine this x3 ...
My favorite remote camera image I took from last nights Zuma launch. My camera was setup at the launch pad and fitted with a Miops Smart Trigger. #spacex #Falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacexlaunch @elonmusk @SpaceX @Teslarati @MiopsTrigger
Hi all,Just got a report with pictures from a Dutch aircraft pilot of what I think isthe de-orbit burn/depressurization of the Falcon 9 upper stage from the Zumalaunch last night.The images definitely show something rocket-related. Time reportedly was near2:18 UT (January , location flying above Khartoum in Sudan. Object moved in(roughly) southerly direction. This was about 40-45 minutes before opening ofthe upper stage re-entry window.More details to follow later.- Marco
Great photo, that's awesome work! Bring on the FH.Edit: Great detail of the lower end, is that a bolted octoweb?
The de-orbit burn of the upper stage was observed.Quote Hi all,Just got a report with pictures from a Dutch aircraft pilot of what I think isthe de-orbit burn/depressurization of the Falcon 9 upper stage from the Zumalaunch last night.The images definitely show something rocket-related. Time reportedly was near2:18 UT (January , location flying above Khartoum in Sudan. Object moved in(roughly) southerly direction. This was about 40-45 minutes before opening ofthe upper stage re-entry window.More details to follow later.- Marcohttp://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2018/0063.html
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 01/08/2018 04:45 pmGreat photo, that's awesome work! Bring on the FH.Edit: Great detail of the lower end, is that a bolted octoweb?Yeah, that might be the best image from the Zuma launch so far. Very impressive As for what we're seeing, my guess would be that the bolted on panels are the new-ish non ablative (Inconel?) heat shields.
Just stop with the space weapons stuff. EVERY defense prime has some connection to a military laser program. There's nothing special about Northrup Grumman making some acquisition years ago that would increase the odds of this being a banned weapon payload.
Quote from: Star One on 01/08/2018 05:21 pmThe de-orbit burn of the upper stage was observed.Quote Hi all,Just got a report with pictures from a Dutch aircraft pilot of what I think isthe de-orbit burn/depressurization of the Falcon 9 upper stage from the Zumalaunch last night.The images definitely show something rocket-related. Time reportedly was near2:18 UT (January , location flying above Khartoum in Sudan. Object moved in(roughly) southerly direction. This was about 40-45 minutes before opening ofthe upper stage re-entry window.More details to follow later.- Marcohttp://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2018/0063.htmlObserved 40-45 minutes before the opening of the upper stage re-entry window. Is that a normal delay between a de-orbit burn and expected re-entry?
Quote from: gongora on 01/08/2018 03:18 pmJust stop with the space weapons stuff. EVERY defense prime has some connection to a military laser program. There's nothing special about Northrup Grumman making some acquisition years ago that would increase the odds of this being a banned weapon payload.apologies, but why "banned"? Conventional weaponry, including lasers, is not banned in space. Nuclear warheads are.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/08/2018 04:28 pmQuoteMy favorite remote camera image I took from last nights Zuma launch. My camera was setup at the launch pad and fitted with a Miops Smart Trigger. #spacex #Falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacexlaunch @elonmusk @SpaceX @Teslarati @MiopsTriggerhttps://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/950281149871542272Now imagine this x3 ...Great photo, that's awesome work! Bring on the FH.Edit: Great detail of the lower end, is that a bolted octoweb?
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 01/08/2018 04:45 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/08/2018 04:28 pmQuoteMy favorite remote camera image I took from last nights Zuma launch. My camera was setup at the launch pad and fitted with a Miops Smart Trigger. #spacex #Falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacexlaunch @elonmusk @SpaceX @Teslarati @MiopsTriggerhttps://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/950281149871542272Now imagine this x3 ...Great photo, that's awesome work! Bring on the FH.Edit: Great detail of the lower end, is that a bolted octoweb?It looks no different than any previous v1.2 octawebs.
Quote from: old_sellsword on 01/08/2018 06:59 pmQuote from: wannamoonbase on 01/08/2018 04:45 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/08/2018 04:28 pmQuoteMy favorite remote camera image I took from last nights Zuma launch. My camera was setup at the launch pad and fitted with a Miops Smart Trigger. #spacex #Falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacexlaunch @elonmusk @SpaceX @Teslarati @MiopsTriggerhttps://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/950281149871542272Now imagine this x3 ...Great photo, that's awesome work! Bring on the FH.Edit: Great detail of the lower end, is that a bolted octoweb?It looks no different than any previous v1.2 octawebs.Only difference up close is no welds attaching the octaweb to the stage and slight differences to the panels on the Octawebs themselves.
TBH I was wondering that as well when I posted that & Marco has followed it up with this post saying he is making further enquiries regarding the sighting.http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2018/0064.html
I will post the images on my blog later this week.- Marco
Zuma satellite from @northropgrumman may be dead in orbit after separation from @SpaceX Falcon 9, sources say. Info blackout renders any conclusion - launcher issue? Satellite-only issue? -- impossible to draw.