The next commercial Falcon Heavy launch is also scheduled for the second quarter of 2022, carrying a Viasat 3 broadband communications satellite toward geostationary orbit.
CEO of Pacific Dataport provided an update on upcoming FH launch:"It should actually be ViaSat-3 Americas + 'Aurora 4A'. Arcturus is the internal Astranis name. Aurora 4A is the commercial name that is publicly known. The launch window is currently set to start on August 15th."
Aurora 4A is headed to GSO at 163W. I am not positive on V3. Somewhere around 100W. The near GSO tag is that the drop off is not precisely at that elevation. Just a tad lower.
When I asked about exact deployment orbit which was previously stated to be "nearly geostationary", I got this answer:QuoteAurora 4A is headed to GSO at 163W. I am not positive on V3. Somewhere around 100W. The near GSO tag is that the drop off is not precisely at that elevation. Just a tad lower. I guess this means it's some kind of super-sync GTO orbit, as suspected?
Viasat confirmed it is currently planning to truck its first ViaSat-3 satellite from California across the United States to Florida, where it is slated to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy later this year. It is unclear whether the company had previously planned to fly the spacecraft across the country.
[Space News] Antonov shortage threatens delivery delays for the biggest satellites [dated Apr 7]QuoteViasat confirmed it is currently planning to truck its first ViaSat-3 satellite from California across the United States to Florida, where it is slated to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy later this year. It is unclear whether the company had previously planned to fly the spacecraft across the country.
Since I was the one updating those entires on Next... B1053's next flight is as FH side booster, it's not being converted to F9 (at least not until it flies Viasat-3).<snip>
Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 05/12/2022 01:35 amNextSpaceFlight indicates that B1052.5 will support the launch of [Starlink 4-18].Yep, still four more missions as F9 counting this one, then Falcon Heavy side for Viasat-3.
NextSpaceFlight indicates that B1052.5 will support the launch of [Starlink 4-18].
NextSpaceFlight, circa April 25, shows this launch NET September 2022.B1052.9: Side Booster, unknown recoveryB1068.1: Center Core, expendableB1053.3: Side Booster, unknown recoveryQuote from: Alexphysics on 04/27/2022 08:31 pmSince I was the one updating those entires on Next... B1053's next flight is as FH side booster, it's not being converted to F9 (at least not until it flies Viasat-3).<snip>Quote from: Alexphysics on 05/12/2022 01:44 amQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 05/12/2022 01:35 amNextSpaceFlight indicates that B1052.5 will support the launch of [Starlink 4-18].Yep, still four more missions as F9 counting this one, then Falcon Heavy side for Viasat-3.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 05/14/2022 04:03 amNextSpaceFlight, circa April 25, shows this launch NET September 2022.B1052.9: Side Booster, unknown recoveryB1068.1: Center Core, expendableB1053.3: Side Booster, unknown recoveryQuote from: Alexphysics on 04/27/2022 08:31 pmSince I was the one updating those entires on Next... B1053's next flight is as FH side booster, it's not being converted to F9 (at least not until it flies Viasat-3).<snip>Quote from: Alexphysics on 05/12/2022 01:44 amQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 05/12/2022 01:35 amNextSpaceFlight indicates that B1052.5 will support the launch of [Starlink 4-18].Yep, still four more missions as F9 counting this one, then Falcon Heavy side for Viasat-3.Why should 1052 be converted back again? I would rather think of the Psyche side boosters.Maybe with 1053 as a backup if it hasn't been converted yet.In the current report from ViaSat I did not find any information about the launch date. Which is generally not good news. But maybe I missed it.https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/cbf95b9f-3d8d-4ea4-a2a2-cad3b3b0b09b
Also, the side boosters for Psyche will be reused and expended on the launch of Europa Clipper
...I didn't say it has to be, I said it will be. Viasat 3 will use B1052-9 and B1053-3 as side boosters.Also, the side boosters for Psyche will be reused and expended on the launch of Europa Clipper
If SpaceX is "getting sued by Viasat for Starlink stuff", then will they ever take a break from Starlink to meet the commercial and government customers' demands?I do understand SpaceX is launching Starlink so many times to get the shells filled up soon as well as collect enough data for NASA to look over, but I personally think they should cut back a bit.
then will they ever take a break from Starlink to meet the commercial and government customers' demands?
Quote from: ZachS09 on 05/15/2022 03:53 pmIf SpaceX is "getting sued by Viasat for Starlink stuff", then will they ever take a break from Starlink to meet the commercial and government customers' demands?I do understand SpaceX is launching Starlink so many times to get the shells filled up soon as well as collect enough data for NASA to look over, but I personally think they should cut back a bit.To meet customer demands, the customers need to be ready.