Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION  (Read 786482 times)

Offline cscott

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3471
  • Liked: 2867
  • Likes Given: 726
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #140 on: 10/17/2017 01:58 pm »
It could be that the "customer is cash strapped, flight means lots of future revenue" bit is just the official cover story justifying the hurry-up for this launch. As such, everyone at SpaceX would have heard the same things.

The truth might be some sort of military objective behind the tight schedule and high importance, but that would be kept very quiet.
« Last Edit: 10/18/2017 01:45 pm by cscott »

Offline FinalFrontier

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4490
  • Space Watcher
  • Liked: 1332
  • Likes Given: 173
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #141 on: 10/17/2017 02:10 pm »
It could be that the "customer is cash strapped, flight means less of future revenue" bit is just the official cover story justifying the hurry-up for this launch. As such, everyone at SpaceX would have heard the same things.

The truth might be some sort of military objective behind the tight schedule and high importance, but that would be kept very quiet.
It is probably this.

Payload could have intelligence significance related to current global posture/current events in the east or elsewhere hence the time sensitivity.

Likewise, it could be something to do with the payload itself that makes it time sensitive. It is very interesting either way.

Quote
has there ever been a case like this in the past where a provider popped up suddenly in similar fashion
I would be interested to know the answer to this too.
3-30-2017: The start of a great future
"Live Long and Prosper"

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #142 on: 10/17/2017 02:42 pm »
Just a point of order on the revenue side of things. I believe, Northrup Grumman fiscal year runs January 1st to December 31st ( http://www.northropgrumman.com/AboutUs/AnnualReports/Pages/default.aspx ). Since this is being run as a commercial contract, it might be very desirable for Northrup Grumman to recognize the revenue before December 31st.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Craig_VG

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 219
  • Liked: 730
  • Likes Given: 528
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #143 on: 10/17/2017 03:20 pm »
Crossposting Gary NASA's post in the other thread:

Quote
Payloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43988.msg1738627#msg1738627

Looks more and more to be non-commercial


Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48150
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81636
  • Likes Given: 36932
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #144 on: 10/17/2017 09:21 pm »
Sounds like media accreditation emails have gone out?

Quote
SpaceX has invited reporters to the mysterious Zuma launch. Intriguing!

https://twitter.com/timfernholz/status/920394298121773057

Quote
39A!

https://twitter.com/timfernholz/status/920394298121773057

Offline Craig_VG

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 219
  • Liked: 730
  • Likes Given: 528
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #145 on: 10/17/2017 09:28 pm »
Quote
Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's Zuma mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than November.

More details on pre-launch media activities will be made available closer to launch.

Indeed, above are the interesting bits (note no date given yet). Accreditation is due on Oct 25


Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48150
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81636
  • Likes Given: 36932
« Last Edit: 10/18/2017 04:39 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #147 on: 10/18/2017 04:40 pm »
Nov. 16 is current target date according to article in Florida Today

Offline .Scott

  • Member
  • Posts: 30
  • NH
  • Liked: 8
  • Likes Given: 17
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #148 on: 10/18/2017 05:24 pm »
Quote
Northrop Grumman confirmed to FLORIDA TODAY that it selected Falcon 9 for Zuma, which was described as a "government mission."
“The U.S. government assigned Northrop Grumman the responsibility of acquiring launch services for this mission," said Lon Rains, communications director at Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Division and Space Park Design Center of Excellence. "We have procured the Falcon 9 launch service from SpaceX."
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/10/18/spacex-targeting-november-mystery-zuma-launch-falcon-9-kennedy-space-center-ksc-florida/775284001/

Offline Journeyman

  • Member
  • Posts: 68
  • Liked: 39
  • Likes Given: 13
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #149 on: 10/18/2017 06:38 pm »
The statement “The U.S. government assigned Northrop Grumman the responsibility of acquiring launch services for this mission,"

Makes me wonder... OK so Northrop Grumman have the responsibility to acquire launch services. Fine! But that is not the same as Northrop Grumman built the satellite!

I think its more interesting to know which company built the satellite. Even if they don't want to disclose what kind of satellite it is.

Or am I misunderstanding something? Is it common that the company that acquires the launch service is also the same company that build the satellite when it comes to government DOD satellites?





Online oldAtlas_Eguy

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5304
  • Florida
  • Liked: 5005
  • Likes Given: 1444
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #150 on: 10/18/2017 07:06 pm »
The statement “The U.S. government assigned Northrop Grumman the responsibility of acquiring launch services for this mission,"

Makes me wonder... OK so Northrop Grumman have the responsibility to acquire launch services. Fine! But that is not the same as Northrop Grumman built the satellite!

I think its more interesting to know which company built the satellite. Even if they don't want to disclose what kind of satellite it is.

Or am I misunderstanding something? Is it common that the company that acquires the launch service is also the same company that build the satellite when it comes to government DOD satellites?
There are no real standards in DOD contracting about this.

There could be easily 4 contractors involved. The sat builder, the launch integrator (which sometimes handles the contract for the LV but not always), the launch provider, and the sat operator.

Offline ZachF

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1610
  • Immensely complex & high risk
  • NH, USA, Earth
  • Liked: 2604
  • Likes Given: 531
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #151 on: 10/18/2017 07:49 pm »
so DOD maybe chose SpaceX for a last-minute 'we need it now' mission launch?

That has to be a black eye for ULA... Isn't that supposedly the reason we pay them $800 million/year extra?
artist, so take opinions expressed above with a well-rendered grain of salt...
https://www.instagram.com/artzf/

Offline old_sellsword

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 632
  • Liked: 531
  • Likes Given: 470
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #152 on: 10/18/2017 07:57 pm »
so DOD maybe chose SpaceX for a last-minute 'we need it now' mission launch?

...

We don’t know that this is a “last-minute ‘we need it now’” mission launch, it could’ve been contracted to SpaceX years ago.

Online psionedge

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 102
  • Liked: 74
  • Likes Given: 10
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #153 on: 10/18/2017 08:04 pm »
The recent NROL-76(?) on SpaceX was a SpaceX launch procured by the vehicle provider, Ball. I would assume this is a similar scenario. As the govt tries to bring costs down the procurement approach for satellites now makes the contractor also procure the launch service, forcing them to decide between ULA or SpaceX. The government also likes this because if it blows up, then the prime has to bear the responsibility for it, not the govt.


I'd bet money this was not a last minute contract. It was likely included in whatever contract the govt agency signed with NG for the satellite. Satellites don't get built last minute.
« Last Edit: 10/18/2017 08:08 pm by psionedge »

Offline ZachF

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1610
  • Immensely complex & high risk
  • NH, USA, Earth
  • Liked: 2604
  • Likes Given: 531
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #154 on: 10/18/2017 08:55 pm »
so DOD maybe chose SpaceX for a last-minute 'we need it now' mission launch?

...

We don’t know that this is a “last-minute ‘we need it now’” mission launch, it could’ve been contracted to SpaceX years ago.

true
artist, so take opinions expressed above with a well-rendered grain of salt...
https://www.instagram.com/artzf/

Offline cppetrie

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 792
  • Liked: 552
  • Likes Given: 3
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #155 on: 10/18/2017 08:59 pm »
We don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?

Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.
« Last Edit: 10/18/2017 09:01 pm by cppetrie »

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #156 on: 10/18/2017 09:04 pm »
We don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?

Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.

It's either military or intelligence agency, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret.

Online psionedge

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 102
  • Liked: 74
  • Likes Given: 10
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #157 on: 10/18/2017 09:09 pm »
We don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?

Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.

It's either military or intelligence agency, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret.
Hey, there's only 17 or so US intelligence agencies, so should be easy to narrow down.

Offline tleski

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 477
  • Washington, DC
  • Liked: 367
  • Likes Given: 758
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #158 on: 10/18/2017 09:48 pm »
Isn't NRO (which is a part of DoD) procuring and operating satellites for all US intelligence agencies? Or, is possible that one of the agencies orders and operates satellites independently?
« Last Edit: 10/18/2017 09:49 pm by tleski »

Offline cscott

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3471
  • Liked: 2867
  • Likes Given: 726
Re: SpaceX F9 : Zuma : January 7/8, 2018, CCAFS : DISCUSSION
« Reply #159 on: 10/18/2017 10:07 pm »
We don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?

Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.

It's either military or intelligence agency, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret.
Hey, there's only 17 or so US intelligence agencies, so should be easy to narrow down.
...and four branches of the military...

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1