Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 5 : March 30, 2018 : Vandenberg - UPDATES (Read 95382 times)

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #20 on:** 03/27/2018 02:34 am »

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how are the winds looking ….

https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/978456059659485184?s=21

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Looks pretty good so far from my personal weather sources, but haven't seen an official Air Force upper level winds forecast yet.

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/978456809546665984?s=21

Raul · « **Reply #21 on:** 03/27/2018 06:56 am »

M1341 Iridium-5 Launch Hazard Areas visualization based on issued NOTMAR and also NOTAMs.

NOTAMs- northern green and sidecut yellow area on boundary of Mexican airspace.
MOTMARs- red and general rectangular orange area - booster splashdown usually in northern part, fairing recovery by Mr. Steven in southern part of this area.
Big white stage2 debris reentry NOTAM/NOTMAR area after first orbit.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #22 on:** 03/27/2018 03:22 pm »

Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 03/25/2018 09:36 am

Comparing Planet Satellite imagery of SLC-4 for March 23rd vs 24th, the TEL is not on the pad on the 23rd, but IS on the 24th (and likely has the Falcon 9 on it for the static fire)

23rd vs 24th below, respectively

https://goo.gl/ADFXdq

And as of Yesterday, 26th March, the TEL/rocket is off the pad, almost certainly going to the HIF for satellite/plf integration:

https://goo.gl/dQbqmM

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #23 on:** 03/27/2018 06:47 pm »

So Iridium CEO's Twitter account just had a statement that launch is slipping to NET 3/31 or into next week due to issue with 1 of the 10 sats. Tweets has since been deleted. Posting here so everyone has the heads up.

CONFIRMED:

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@IridiumBoss
We are having an issue with 1 of the 10 satellites in prep for #Iridium5. Our supplier and launch team is resetting for NET 3/31, with potential to shift into next week, if not resolved quickly. Launch success is priority #1! Will provide more info as available

Let's preempt some questions:
1. Odds of this effecting CRS-14 = Almost no chance
2. Station will take priority for Visiting Vehicle schedule
3. 2 days btw 2 launches is totally doable.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #24 on:** 03/27/2018 07:30 pm »

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Should be approximately 7:08am local if it goes on 3/31.

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/978711815269036032

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #25 on:** 03/28/2018 12:57 am »

New Tweet: Matt Desch @Iridium Boss, (apparently) 5:45 pm PDT

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/978795278118653952

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Positive update to our satellite and launch delay. Just been apprised there has been a technical resolution; satellites and F9 are in great shape and ready to go! Was ground harness test cable issue - now fixed. Launch now pulled back to Friday, 3/30 at 7:14am pdt! #GoTeam!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #26 on:** 03/28/2018 06:40 am »

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Forgive me if I'm wildly wrong, this is a guess. Does this mean the satellite didn't have a fault itself and there was a faulty connection to get the data?

https://twitter.com/jrascagneres/status/978803838672044032

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Yes, that's pretty close to the problem. Satellites were always fine; just couldn't talk to one - but it was a ground testing cable problem.

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/978805937552191489

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #27 on:** 03/28/2018 03:28 pm »

Mr Steven is still in port but according to MarineTraffic.com at about midnight (UTC) last night it moved from the East side of the port to the East Channel where recovered boosters usually dock on return to port.

So hopefully it’s being prepared for another fairing recovery attempt.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #28 on:** 03/28/2018 06:23 pm »

Precise launch time for Friday's attempt is 07:13:51 PDT (10:13:51 EDT; 14:13:51 UTC).

Elthiryel · « **Reply #29 on:** 03/28/2018 10:05 pm »

Press kit and launch webcast are now available!

http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/iridium-5_press_kit.pdf

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #30 on:** 03/29/2018 05:04 am »

NRC Quest left port about 8 hours ago and appears to be heading out to a recovery area.

Lewis007 · « **Reply #31 on:** 03/29/2018 06:39 am »

Iridium-5 launch patches

Raul · « **Reply #32 on:** 03/29/2018 11:45 am »

Mr Steven is just leaving the port toward fairing recovery.

Michael Baylor · « **Reply #33 on:** 03/29/2018 07:07 pm »

Mr. Steven is heading to "Iridium 5."

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #34 on:** 03/29/2018 07:17 pm »

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Weather forecast looks excellent for our launch tomorrow morning. Light northeasterly winds should hopefully hold the marine layer offshore for a takeoff about 15 minutes after dawn. #GoIridiumL5!

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/979414289541771264

Raul · « **Reply #35 on:** 03/29/2018 08:18 pm »

NRC Quest already reached northern part of appropriate hazard area "destination LZ 005" and is waiting in this "landing zone" for B1041.2 splashdown.
High Speed Fairing Boat Mr.Steven is heading to southern part of area.

Raul · « **Reply #36 on:** 03/29/2018 11:47 pm »

Iridium5 Falcon is vertical.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 03/30/2018 01:56 am »

FEATURE ARTICLE: Iridium NEXT-5 satellites set to ride on SpaceX Falcon 9 -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/iridium-next-5-satellites-spacex-falcon-9/

- By William Graham.

Features photos from NSF's Philip Sloss and Jack Beyer.

Michael Baylor · « **Reply #38 on:** 03/30/2018 04:03 am »

The booster is carrying a special message from Iridium CEO Matt Desch.

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A few weeks ago, @Iridiumboss made a special visit to our old friend from #Iridium3, in the midst of preparations for #Iridium5. In the soot of the #Iridium3 booster the most eloquent, compelling and Shakespeare-esque message was written, destined for space... #IridiumRocks!!

https://twitter.com/IridiumComm/status/979026027690242050

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #39 on:** 03/30/2018 04:40 am »

Close-up from SpaceX website