Spaceflight Now has updated their launch schedule, putting STP-2 NET June 2018.
Quote from: Formica on 12/08/2017 05:58 pmSpaceflight Now has updated their launch schedule, putting STP-2 NET June 2018.Isn’t the most likely reason the much later launch of FH-Demo? 6 months to:- review all launch data- review all FH Demo hardware (safely landed in one piece)- adjust design where needed- build brand new improved block 5 center core- build OR convert 2 side coresAll given a successful flight of FH Demo...
The vehicle for this flight should be all new Block 5 cores.
STP-2 is scheduled for a window from April until June and Arabsat is confirmed to be second launching Falcon Heavy, according to NASA's budget released today (Page 537).
We have a date! NET April 30, with two month window stretching to June.Quote from: Craig_VG on 02/14/2018 05:23 pmSTP-2 is scheduled for a window from April until June and Arabsat is confirmed to be second launching Falcon Heavy, according to NASA's budget released today (Page 537).As I think I've mentioned before, I've got tickets to this launch courtesy of the Lightsail Kickstarter years and years ago, so I've started clearing my schedule!
Well, that was the schedule when FH Demo was going to fly in December... If this is still the third FH then unlikely it flies in that window. If it swaps places with Arabsat 6A then it would still be possible (but probably not April, I'm guessing F9 Block 5 doesn't even debut until mid-April.)
Quote from: gongora on 02/14/2018 06:54 pmWell, that was the schedule when FH Demo was going to fly in December... If this is still the third FH then unlikely it flies in that window. If it swaps places with Arabsat 6A then it would still be possible (but probably not April, I'm guessing F9 Block 5 doesn't even debut until mid-April.)Does the STP-2 contract stipulate new cores? If not, it might be possible to launch 6A and assuming full recovery be ready to launch again in ~6 weeks, if Elon's gas and go model pans out.
Quote from: cscott on 02/14/2018 06:46 pmWe have a date! NET April 30, with two month window stretching to June.Quote from: Craig_VG on 02/14/2018 05:23 pmSTP-2 is scheduled for a window from April until June and Arabsat is confirmed to be second launching Falcon Heavy, according to NASA's budget released today (Page 537).As I think I've mentioned before, I've got tickets to this launch courtesy of the Lightsail Kickstarter years and years ago, so I've started clearing my schedule!Well, that was the schedule when FH Demo was going to fly in December... If this is still the third FH then unlikely it flies in that window. If it swaps places with Arabsat 6A then it would still be possible (but probably not April, I'm guessing F9 Block 5 doesn't even debut until mid-April.)
Quote from: gongora on 02/14/2018 06:54 pmWell, that was the schedule when FH Demo was going to fly in December... If this is still the third FH then unlikely it flies in that window. If it swaps places with Arabsat 6A then it would still be possible (but probably not April, I'm guessing F9 Block 5 doesn't even debut until mid-April.)Elon indicated that the single stick block 5 debut flight would be in a couple of months.
The U.S. Air Force is targeting that month for its Space Test Program 2 mission, or STP-2, a spokeswoman for the Space and Missile Systems Center said in an email.
With ArabSat-6A delayed to end-of-2018, will STP-2 be the 2nd FH and still aiming june 2018?
Quote from: Jakusb on 02/22/2018 02:38 amWith ArabSat-6A delayed to end-of-2018, will STP-2 be the 2nd FH and still aiming june 2018?Where is this information on ArabSat 6A coming from? I can't find it here on NSF.
During the trip from Denver to Sunnyvale, Arabsat-6A was housed in a “mobile cleanroom,” which keeps the satellite secure and in pristine condition, free of virtually any specks of dust and contaminants that could damage its precision electronics.In California, the satellite will undergo multiple tests to ensure it is fit for flight. The satellite will be blasted with sound, exposed to extreme heat and cold, and subjected to a total vacuum to simulate what it will endure during its launch and operations in space. The testing will be completed and the satellite ready for delivery to the launch site by the end of the year.