I'm going to be in Florida for this launch. I'll actually be at KSC Monday afternoon, but have to leave by 3pm to be in Palm Beach by 5:30 or so. Anyway, I was planning things out on my calendar when I noticed:This SpaceX launch window opens at 5:37pm. I'll be looking due north for that.There is an Iridium flare at 5:38pm. I'd need to look south-southwest for that.Huh.Alas, it'll be dusky at that time, not anywhere near dark, and I'm likely to be unable to see either anyway!
Surely "5:30 or so" equals Launch + (drive time from Cocoa Beach to Palm Beach).
Quote from: Comga on 11/22/2013 10:28 pmSurely "5:30 or so" equals Launch + (drive time from Cocoa Beach to Palm Beach). Perhaps - But keep in mind that the three last F9 launches (CRS1, CRS2, CASSIOPE) all launched on time as soon as the launch window opened.
Quote from: Lars_J on 11/22/2013 10:35 pmQuote from: Comga on 11/22/2013 10:28 pmSurely "5:30 or so" equals Launch + (drive time from Cocoa Beach to Palm Beach). Perhaps - But keep in mind that the three last F9 launches (CRS1, CRS2, CASSIOPE) all launched on time as soon as the launch window opened.Did you miss my joke?Google Maps says the drive time between a generic point in Cocoa Beach and another generic point in Palm Beach is 2 hrs 9 min without considering traffic. Launch window opeining is 3:38? 3:38 + 2:09 = 5:30 + (acceptable tardiness for watching a really cool launch)I would hope
How long after the launch will we know if mission has be successful ie satellite released in GTO.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 11/23/2013 08:06 amHow long after the launch will we know if mission has be successful ie satellite released in GTO. It will be release a couple of minutes after the second burn. The launch vehicle mission duration will short.
If the duration of the second burn was 10 minutes there would be a short pause before the announced 33 minutes from launch to satellite release.
Quote from: Comga on 11/23/2013 10:23 pmIf the duration of the second burn was 10 minutes there would be a short pause before the announced 33 minutes from launch to satellite release. MVac is a high thrust engine and the GTO burn cannot last for 10 minutes because by the time it reaches LEO the stage's already fairly empty and accelerations are high, even with throttling.
Quote from: ugordan on 11/23/2013 10:31 pmQuote from: Comga on 11/23/2013 10:23 pmIf the duration of the second burn was less than 10 minutes there would be a short pause before the announced 33 minutes from launch to satellite release. MVac is a high thrust engine and the GTO burn cannot last for 10 minutes because by the time it reaches LEO the stage's already fairly empty and accelerations are high, even with throttling.The burn will last for 1 minute, according to the press guide (on L2).
Quote from: Comga on 11/23/2013 10:23 pmIf the duration of the second burn was less than 10 minutes there would be a short pause before the announced 33 minutes from launch to satellite release. MVac is a high thrust engine and the GTO burn cannot last for 10 minutes because by the time it reaches LEO the stage's already fairly empty and accelerations are high, even with throttling.
If the duration of the second burn was less than 10 minutes there would be a short pause before the announced 33 minutes from launch to satellite release.