SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - SES-8 - Let's Get Restarted In Here Party Thread

[Jarnis]

And here's a complete list of launches (and selected spaceflight related events) in history day by day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Spaceflight/On_This_Day/Index

Interesting fact from that page that I did not know

    31 December is the only day of the year on which there has never been an orbital launch attempt.

Too much competition from fireworks?  Fear that a failed launch would get press as the most expensive boom of the night?

[kevin-rf]

    31 December is the only day of the year on which there has never been an orbital launch attempt.

Too much competition from fireworks?  Fear that a failed launch would get press as the most expensive boom of the night?

I thought that the first Commercial Titan III launch with Skynet 4A and JCSat 2 was one that occurred on either 12/31/1989 or 1/1/1990 depending on if you use local time or UTC.

Anyone have the the launch time with time zone?

[Antares]

First commercial satellite launch from the Cape in 4 years.  I wonder what the previous long drought was.

[cambrianera]

First commercial satellite launch from the Cape in 4 years.  I wonder what the previous long drought was.

Wow!
Hopefully, it's only the beginning!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

    31 December is the only day of the year on which there has never been an orbital launch attempt.

Too much competition from fireworks?  Fear that a failed launch would get press as the most expensive boom of the night?

I thought that the first Commercial Titan III launch with Skynet 4A and JCSat 2 was one that occurred on either 12/31/1989 or 1/1/1990 depending on if you use local time or UTC.

Anyone have the the launch time with time zone?

7:07 pm EST on Dec. 31, 1989 - 00:07 UTC on Jan. 1, 1990. The Wikipedia article use GMT as the launch date basis. 

BTW it is hard to imagine that the 2 stage F9-1.1 has better GTO capability than the 4 stage CT-3 (both without a hydrogen stage)...but it does!

[Chris Bergin]

William Graham's launch preview covers some of that too.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/spacex-falcon-9-v1-1-milestone-ses-8-launch/

[AJA]

And here's a complete list of launches (and selected spaceflight related events) in history day by day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Spaceflight/On_This_Day/Index

Interesting fact from that page that I did not know

    31 December is the only day of the year on which there has never been an orbital launch attempt.

Too much competition from fireworks?  Fear that a failed launch would get press as the most expensive boom of the night?

Huh. Co-incidence or it is something similar to the Y2K "bug" for ephemerides and GNC?


The Titan launch mentioned below was early enough in the day to not roll over into the new year (or late enough, if using UTC, to already be in the new year while still on umbilicals)

[robertross]

Wishing SpaceX all the best for tonight's launch.

[ChrisN4BSA]

Ok.. getting ready to leave Tampa to go watch tonight's launch.

Any armchair weather forecasting? It's awful cloudy here in Tampa - any thoughts at the weather at T-0?

[kevin-rf]

7:07 pm EST on Dec. 31, 1989 - 00:07 UTC on Jan. 1, 1990. The Wikipedia article use GMT as the launch date basis. 

Thanks!

Wiki should contain a disclaimer on that date. * unless you live on the east coast

[yatpay]

Ok.. getting ready to leave Tampa to go watch tonight's launch.

Any armchair weather forecasting? It's awful cloudy here in Tampa - any thoughts at the weather at T-0?

Last I heard, 80% chance of favorable weather

[ChrisN4BSA]

That's what I heard too.. thanks!

[yatpay]

Does anyone know if this launch will be visible along the east coast? I realize it's a long shot with me being in New York but I'd love to see it.

[russianhalo117]

Does anyone know if this launch will be visible along the east coast? I realize it's a long shot with me being in New York but I'd love to see it.

No It is heading southeast-ish out of CCAFS.

[yatpay]

Does anyone know if this launch will be visible along the east coast? I realize it's a long shot with me being in New York but I'd love to see it.

No It is heading southeast-ish out of CCAFS.

Ahh, oh well. Thanks!

[Kabloona]

Another interesting tidbit: if they scrub today, FAA will not allow attempts Tuesday or Wednesday because they are heavy air traffic days. Thursday (Thanskgiving Day here in the US) would be next attempt. I do hope they launch today and SpaceX employees can go home for Thanksgiving.

[Joffan]

Everything looking five-by-five - here's hoping for a flawless transfer orbit insertion at the end of a perfect launch!

[Nomadd]

And here's a complete list of launches (and selected spaceflight related events) in history day by day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Spaceflight/On_This_Day/Index

Interesting fact from that page that I did not know

    31 December is the only day of the year on which there has never been an orbital launch attempt.

Too much competition from fireworks?  Fear that a failed launch would get press as the most expensive boom of the night?

Huh. Co-incidence or it is something similar to the Y2K "bug" for ephemerides and GNC?


The Titan launch mentioned below was early enough in the day to not roll over into the new year (or late enough, if using UTC, to already be in the new year while still on umbilicals)

I used to have to reboot the PD computer in San Mateo every 12/31 2400. Still get antsy when the ball drops.
 Then again, it had core memory and a 14MB hard drive the size of a washing machine. I'm guessing the F9 is a little more modern.

[simonbp]

First commercial satellite launch from the Cape in 4 years.  I wonder what the previous long drought was.

That's both depressing and explains why this launch is probably the most important of the year. The US used to dominate the commercial launch business, and could do so again.

[HammerD]

Does anyone know where you can watch this launch online?  Since it's not a NASA mission I assume it will not be covered by Nasa TV?  Ustream maybe?  Anyone have a live link?  Is SpaceX going to webcast it?