Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION  (Read 1087716 times)

Offline Saabstory88

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #280 on: 01/11/2016 02:51 am »
3.6 tons for the fairing doesn't sound right. You sure?

I've heard lots of places say 4 tons for the whole fairing assembly, although I can't find the source. This number pops up a lot. Several placed have it listed at 1.5-2 tons. It seems likely to me that they have the weight of 1/2 of the whole assembly, ie, 1 fairing half.

Also, this is comparable to an Atlas fairing of similar surface area. In the end, I'd rather have the number high, than low, when in the mass category. Being pessimistic.

VVVVV As to below. I agree the mess estimates are low. Just because estimates aren't right doesn't mean they tell us nothing.
« Last Edit: 01/11/2016 03:00 am by Saabstory88 »

Offline Robotbeat

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #281 on: 01/11/2016 02:55 am »
Space launch report gives figures that are too small for the upper stage. Musk said it was 125 tons (including payload).
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Offline Dante80

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #282 on: 01/11/2016 03:00 am »
I remember reading an old thread where Jim was quoting a ~4ton fairing weight. I think his justification had something to do with horizontal integration and the fairing being a structural element.

Can't find the thread for the life of me.

Offline su27k

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #283 on: 01/11/2016 03:15 am »
I remember reading an old thread where Jim was quoting a ~4ton fairing weight. I think his justification had something to do with horizontal integration and the fairing being a structural element.

Can't find the thread for the life of me.

It's here: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=37069.msg1357758#msg1357758

Offline robert_d

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #284 on: 01/13/2016 01:48 pm »
Do we know the location and status of the SES booster?

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #285 on: 01/13/2016 02:53 pm »
There is a good chance that it is in SLC-40's HIF. The F9-21 core was installed onto pad 40 prior to its re-fire test using the crane. This suggests that that the pad's strong-back is in use as part of pre-launch for SES-9.
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Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #286 on: 01/13/2016 03:16 pm »
There is a good chance that it is in SLC-40's HIF. The F9-21 core was installed onto pad 40 prior to its re-fire test using the crane. This suggests that that the pad's strong-back is in use as part of pre-launch for SES-9.
Isn't the launch platform with hold downs attached to the T/E/L assembly? I'm missing some aspect of how the T/E/L system works if the strongback is in the HIF and the launch platform with hold downs is on the pad...
« Last Edit: 01/13/2016 03:31 pm by Johnnyhinbos »
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Offline cscott

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #287 on: 01/13/2016 03:29 pm »
Yeah, so are we all. :) It's possible the F9-21 core is using the launch mount from LC-39A.  But no one knows exactly, we're hoping to get more information/photos/descriptions of crane campaigns/etc.

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #288 on: 01/13/2016 03:30 pm »
There is a good chance that it is in SLC-40's HIF. The F9-21 core was installed onto pad 40 prior to its re-fire test using the crane. This suggests that that the pad's strong-back is in use as part of pre-launch for SES-9.

Isn't the launch platform with hold downs attached to the T/E/L assembly? I'm missing some aspect of how the T/E/L system works if the strongback in in the HIF and the launch platform with hold downs is on the pad...

I'm wondering if there may be a redundant hold-down platform to swap onto the T/E in the event of launch damage. Just haul it over to the pad, install it with a crane and then use the crane to install the core on top of it.
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Offline cscott

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #289 on: 01/13/2016 03:33 pm »
...or they unbolted the launch mount from the ses-9 T/E?

Offline MechE31

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #290 on: 01/13/2016 03:47 pm »
My educated guesses from experience:

SES core in SLC-40 hangar, it is not on the TE, TE is stored outside, SLC-40 hangar cannot take 2 cores, crane is required to put an F9 on the TE (normally does using cranes inside hangar), pad cannot take a core without the TE/strongback on the pad.

Offline ugordan

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #291 on: 01/13/2016 04:09 pm »
If the hangar can't take 2 cores and the OG2 core has to pass through the hangar on the way to the pad (my assumption), doesn't that imply no SES-9 core in hangar?

Offline docmordrid

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #292 on: 01/13/2016 04:11 pm »
Strongback clamps to S2. There's no S2.
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Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #293 on: 01/13/2016 04:16 pm »
If the hangar can't take 2 cores and the OG2 core has to pass through the hangar on the way to the pad (my assumption), doesn't that imply no SES-9 core in hangar?

Looking at an (albeit old) aerial Google overhead view of SLC-40, there is a roadway to the pad that bypasses the HIF. This is also common sense as large construction equipment needs access to the structure regardless...
« Last Edit: 01/13/2016 04:19 pm by Johnnyhinbos »
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Offline Darga

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #294 on: 01/13/2016 09:25 pm »
Spaceflightnow is reporting NET Feb 6 now.

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #295 on: 01/14/2016 01:19 pm »
Just out of interest, what are SFN's sources? People at the Eastern Range or source inside the launch providers?
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Offline WHAP

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #296 on: 01/14/2016 07:18 pm »
Just out of interest, what are SFN's sources? People at the Eastern Range or source inside the launch providers?

You're probably asking on the wrong website.  As soon as someone posts, another person will ask for proof of that proof.  SFN is a pretty reputable and reliable source.  Whether they get the actual range schedule or have sources, I would assume they vetted the information. 
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Offline tleski

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #297 on: 01/14/2016 07:20 pm »
So, probably the thread should be renamed.

Offline bstrong

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #298 on: 01/15/2016 04:56 pm »
One interesting possibility to speculate about is that the reason for the delay is that they learned a thing or two from the OG2 core and are making some small tweaks to this one as a result.

I didn't take this effect into account when placing my vote for number of launches in 2016.

Offline douglas100

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - SES-9 - March 4, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #299 on: 01/15/2016 10:33 pm »
Strongback clamps to S2. There's no S2.

Yep. The vehicle is on the launch mount and the T/E is attached, but the strongback is horizontal.

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