Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - ORBCOMM-2 - SLC-40 - Dec 21, 2015 - UPDATES  (Read 453082 times)

Offline cscott

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ASDS appears to be on the move.
(Credit to @bargemanos: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36326.msg1458362.msg#1458362 )
« Last Edit: 12/16/2015 02:59 pm by cscott »

Offline Chris Bergin

A Falcon 9 is now back vertical on the SLC-40 pad (with visual confirmation) for the first time since the CRS-7 loss. We'll be a few hours from the Static Fire, if all goes well with the countdown milestones.
« Last Edit: 12/16/2015 08:05 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Darga

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and we have a map for this one. Work in progress Google Map link https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zXmjsQgIEPtk.kEXviMLLYGIk Added Second stage deorbit area
« Last Edit: 12/16/2015 09:28 pm by Darga »

Offline Chris Bergin

Obviously we know, but the interesting thing is ORBCOMM are continuing to update and may provide us with some confirmation of the upcoming Static Fire. Obviously we'll probably hear of it, but it always helps when an official source says so. A lot more value than some numpty called Chris Bergin posting it! ;D

http://blog.orbcomm.com/orbcomm-og2-mission-2-launch-update/
December 16, 2015

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket rolled out of the hanger at the Cape earlier this afternoon in anticipation of static fire and is now vertical at SLC-40 launch pad.

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Online ugordan

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Quote
Orbcomm/F9: Here’s a hand-held iPhone-through-binocs shot of a Falcon 9 on the pad at Cape Canaveral

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/677253980792201216


Offline psloss

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https://twitter.com/MatthewBTravis/status/677299464395218944

Quote
Didn't see any steam cloud at 8:25. Waiting.

Offline Flying Beaver

https://twitter.com/MatthewBTravis/status/677312508387028998

"Well a #Falcon9 static test tonight would've been nice. Maybe tomorrow :)"

Looks like the test could be off for tonight, or at least this guy thinks so.
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 01:25 am by Flying Beaver »
Watched B1019 land in person 21/12/2015.

Offline Chris Bergin

Yeah, it had gone way past the Static Fire window, but they can be flexible with that for a Static Fire. Matt's out there and has heard it's not happening today. So let's hope for tomorrow. I don't believe this rules out the 19th at this time.

Note: There's no official word. But there wasn't any official word during any of this apart from the one note from ORBCOMM about vehicle vertical.
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 02:02 am by Chris Bergin »
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Offline WHAP

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Yeah, it had gone way past the Static Fire window, but they can be flexible with that for a Static Fire. Matt's out there and has heard it's not happening today. So let's hope for tomorrow. I don't believe this rules out the 19th at this time.

Do you know the window for tomorrow?  If not, what was it tonight?
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 01:35 am by WHAP »
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Offline Kim Keller

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Yeah, it had gone way past the Static Fire window, but they can be flexible with that for a Static Fire. Matt's out there and has heard it's not happening today. So let's hope for tomorrow. I don't believe this rules out the 19th at this time.

Do you know the window for tomorrow?  If not, what was it tonight?

Early afternoon tomorrow.

Online jacqmans

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Launch Operations Forecast
Vehicle: Falcon 9 OrbComm-2

Issued: 16 Dec 2015 / 1400 UTC (0900 EST)

Valid: 20 Dec 2015 / 0125-0426 UTC (19/2025-2326 EST)

Synoptic Discussion: Warm conditions with southerly winds continue today as a weak frontal boundary remains stalled over Northern Florida. On Thursday winds switch more southwesterly bringing possible record high temperatures and afternoon showers. A strong cold push finally brings the cold boundary through Central Florida on Friday bringing showers and isolated thunderstorms as a high pressure area settles along the northern Gulf of Mexico. The cold front should make a clean push south of the Space Coast by late Friday afternoon leaving behind minimal cloud cover and bringing brisk northerly winds and much cooler air. The winds should remain gusty and northerly on Saturday, slowly weakening by the launch window. Temperatures will start in the low 50s on Canaveral Spaceport and struggle to reach past the low 60s. The primary weather concern for launch is liftoff winds.
Maximum upper-level winds will be from the west at 65 knots near 46,000 feet.
For a 24-hr delay on Sunday, winds lighten and turn easterly creating a slight risk for a coastal shower. Upper level clouds may also migrate in through the day, but they are expected to be completely made of ice crystals and not a threat to launch. The primary concern is cumulus clouds associated with showers.
Maximum upper-level winds will be from the northwest at 65 knots near 43,000 feet.

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf
Jacques :-)

Offline Jim

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still vertical

Offline Eagandale4114

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Orbcomm ceo stating that static file attempt will occur today.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Marc944Marc/status/677473697704361984

Offline Chris Bergin

Much earlier than yesterday too as there's no rollout (already rolled out). Could be within a few hours (pending a smooth count).
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 02:04 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Chris Bergin

Not sure if that's a new or old photo....

EDIT: It's a new photo, I'm told.
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 03:15 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Chris Bergin

Notice the difference between the above statement and the CEO of the customer :)

Marc Eisenberg ‏@Marc944Marc  1m1 minute ago
We're on the pad, vertical and will attempt SF again this afternoon.
« Last Edit: 12/17/2015 03:05 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Online ugordan

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Full res image:

I'm fairly sure that's the current booster, an ACS pod is at the new location.

Offline Chris Bergin

Oooh, a SpaceX tweet....same as the ORBCOMM one, but again this means the potential of an official confirmation if they conduct the Static Fire:

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX  2m2 minutes ago
Falcon 9 went vertical yesterday and the teams ran through pad operations. Working towards static fire later today.
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Offline psloss

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https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/677659422005592064
Quote
Orbcomm/F9: Rocket was venting oxygen vapor a few moments ago, indicating propellants on board; venting has now stopped

Offline NovaSilisko

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Tweet from Musk:

Elon Musk @elonmusk
Falcon 9 is vertical on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Working towards static fire. Deep cryo liquid oxygen presenting some challenges.

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