It could be that the "customer is cash strapped, flight means less of future revenue" bit is just the official cover story justifying the hurry-up for this launch. As such, everyone at SpaceX would have heard the same things.The truth might be some sort of military objective behind the tight schedule and high importance, but that would be kept very quiet.
has there ever been a case like this in the past where a provider popped up suddenly in similar fashion
Payloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.
SpaceX has invited reporters to the mysterious Zuma launch. Intriguing!
39A!
Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's Zuma mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than November. More details on pre-launch media activities will be made available closer to launch.
Northrop confirms mystery #Zuma #SpaceX payload is US gov customer. http://awin.aviationweek.com/ArticlesStory.aspx?id=785fe9ad-a15e-477d-8c7d-06f1cdc140d2
Northrop Grumman confirmed to FLORIDA TODAY that it selected Falcon 9 for Zuma, which was described as a "government mission."“The U.S. government assigned Northrop Grumman the responsibility of acquiring launch services for this mission," said Lon Rains, communications director at Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Division and Space Park Design Center of Excellence. "We have procured the Falcon 9 launch service from SpaceX."
The statement “The U.S. government assigned Northrop Grumman the responsibility of acquiring launch services for this mission,"Makes me wonder... OK so Northrop Grumman have the responsibility to acquire launch services. Fine! But that is not the same as Northrop Grumman built the satellite!I think its more interesting to know which company built the satellite. Even if they don't want to disclose what kind of satellite it is.Or am I misunderstanding something? Is it common that the company that acquires the launch service is also the same company that build the satellite when it comes to government DOD satellites?
so DOD maybe chose SpaceX for a last-minute 'we need it now' mission launch?...
Quote from: ZachF on 10/18/2017 07:49 pmso DOD maybe chose SpaceX for a last-minute 'we need it now' mission launch?...We don’t know that this is a “last-minute ‘we need it now’” mission launch, it could’ve been contracted to SpaceX years ago.
We don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.
Quote from: cppetrie on 10/18/2017 08:59 pmWe don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.It's either military or intelligence agency, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret.
Quote from: gongora on 10/18/2017 09:04 pmQuote from: cppetrie on 10/18/2017 08:59 pmWe don’t even know that it’s a DOD mission. We’ve only been told government client. While DOD may even be likely, it could be another arm of the government. Ideas for what other gov’t client it could be besides DOD?Edit: removed question about being US gov’t after reviewing posts above. It’s definitely US gov’t.It's either military or intelligence agency, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret.Hey, there's only 17 or so US intelligence agencies, so should be easy to narrow down.