Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 3 : Oct 9, 2017: DISCUSSION  (Read 76966 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48176
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81677
  • Likes Given: 36941
While we await the next Iridium launch here’s a cool visualisation of the Iridium fleet:

Quote
@pbdes Hi, just finished pre-final version of https://www.iridium.online - just a webgadget for Iridium fans....
https://twitter.com/challengepm/status/896168399755239424

Offline soltasto

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 636
  • Italy, Earth
  • Liked: 1118
  • Likes Given: 40
While we await the next Iridium launch here’s a cool visualisation of the Iridium fleet:

Quote
@pbdes Hi, just finished pre-final version of https://www.iridium.online - just a webgadget for Iridium fans....
https://twitter.com/challengepm/status/896168399755239424

Just to credit the original creator of the website, https://www.iridium.online is modified version of http://stuffin.space/ created by James Yoder.

Offline watermod

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 519
  • Liked: 177
  • Likes Given: 153
Doesn't work for Linux Browsing in Chrome.

Error:  Iridium.online requires WebGL and Web Worker support.

Offline llanitedave

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2286
  • Nevada Desert
  • Liked: 1545
  • Likes Given: 2052
Doesn't work for Linux Browsing in Chrome.

Error:  Iridium.online requires WebGL and Web Worker support.

Does fine on Kubuntu in Firefox, at least.
"I've just abducted an alien -- now what?"

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Tweet from Matt Desch:
Quote
Formosat-5 now off “our” pad. @SpaceX informs us they need a few more days, so our L3 now Oct 4, 6:06am local. Ship 1st 2 sats tomorrow!

Offline Norm38

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
  • Liked: 1272
  • Likes Given: 2317
Is the 39A pad that much better armored that it can do two week turns but this pad already needs over a month?

Offline macpacheco

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 891
  • Vitoria-ES-Brazil
  • Liked: 368
  • Likes Given: 3041
I think its the throwback feature. Which I think will be implemented at LC40.
Looking for companies doing great things for much more than money

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Is the 39A pad that much better armored that it can do two week turns but this pad already needs over a month?

We don't actually know that the pad is the only reason for the slip.  Could be launch vehicle, dispensers, etc.

The record turnaround time for this pad so far is 2 months, before June of this year they had only launched from the pad 3 times.  By the end of 2018 that count could be 15+.  They should get much better at turning around that pad as the flight rate increases.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48176
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81677
  • Likes Given: 36941
Quote
Iridium-3 Update: Excited to share that 2 of 10 #IridiumNEXT SVs for launch 3 arrived to @SpaceX VAFB facility & started launch processing

https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/902595992419258368

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48176
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81677
  • Likes Given: 36941
Quote
7th and 8th sats for Launch #3 just pulled out to head towards VAFB.  I feel better knowing there's a guard riding along to protect them!

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/904853448960696320

Offline darkenfast

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1539
  • Liked: 1829
  • Likes Given: 8744
It looks like there's a dog driving as well.  No wonder SpaceX can undercut the competition: they pay in dog-food and treats!
Writer of Book and Lyrics for musicals "SCAR", "Cinderella!", and "Aladdin!". Retired Naval Security Group. "I think SCAR is a winner. Great score, [and] the writing is up there with the very best!"
-- Phil Henderson, Composer of the West End musical "The Far Pavilions".

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
It looks like there's a dog driving as well.  No wonder SpaceX can undercut the competition: they pay in dog-food and treats!
That's the passenger side, we drive on the other side of the road ;-)

He's just along for the ride as the AI takes the rig for a spin.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline darkenfast

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1539
  • Liked: 1829
  • Likes Given: 8744
I was referring to what looks like the ear of a second doggy visible on the driver's side.  I did spend most of the 90's driving on the wrong side of the road (UK), but now I drive on the right side!
Writer of Book and Lyrics for musicals "SCAR", "Cinderella!", and "Aladdin!". Retired Naval Security Group. "I think SCAR is a winner. Great score, [and] the writing is up there with the very best!"
-- Phil Henderson, Composer of the West End musical "The Far Pavilions".

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Must not live in the country, the bigger the SUV, the more likely it will be driving down the center of both lanes...

btw. When I blow up that image, I'm pretty sure it's a cat, not a dog in the drivers seat.
« Last Edit: 09/05/2017 02:30 pm by kevin-rf »
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline SpacedX

  • Member
  • Posts: 38
  • Gatineau
  • Liked: 10
  • Likes Given: 1199
Must not live in the country, the bigger the SUV, the more likely it will be driving down the center of both lanes...

btw. When I blow up that image, I'm pretty sure it's a cat, not a dog in the drivers seat.

It's a dog. As if cats can drive. lol.

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Perhaps the Party Thread would be a more appropriate place to discuss the driving skills of cats and dogs.

Offline Jakusb

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1207
  • NL
  • Liked: 1215
  • Likes Given: 637


An F9 (likely 1041.1) just left McGregor heading west, so it's probably on its way to VAFB for Iridium-3.

Offline M.E.T.

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2313
  • Liked: 2912
  • Likes Given: 508
I was wondering why the long turnaround between the OTV flight and this one.  What's the reason for the sudden drop in launch frequency? Basically a month of no launches by SpaceX.

I thought the aim was to pick up the pace rather than slow it down in the 2nd half of the year.

Online gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
They seem to have a launches lined up for early and mid-October on the East coast, so their rate really isn't going down.  The target rate for this year is almost twice a month (20-24 launches).

Offline woods170

  • IRAS fan
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12096
  • IRAS fan
  • The Netherlands
  • Liked: 18202
  • Likes Given: 12162
They seem to have a launches lined up for early and mid-October on the East coast, so their rate really isn't going down.  The target rate for this year is almost twice a month (20-24 launches).
IF (notice the IF) Irma takes a route over Florida, with the eyewall passing over KSC/CCAFS or to the West of it, there will be so much damage that even the lower number of 20 launches will go out the window.

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0