Tech entrepreneur and founder of aerospace company SpaceX, Elon Musk, is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force for the first time later this summer to conduct a joint mission for the military.Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that SpaceX would be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August via one of the unmanned, reusable X-37B space planes.
I hadn't seen this come up anywhere here yet, so if so missed this, please disregard. Fox Business is reporting that SpaceX will be launching an Air Force payload in August and from the sounds of it, it'll be the X37-B. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/06/elon-musks-spacex-to-conduct-first-mission-with-u-s-air-force.htmlQuoteTech entrepreneur and founder of aerospace company SpaceX, Elon Musk, is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force for the first time later this summer to conduct a joint mission for the military.Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that SpaceX would be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August via one of the unmanned, reusable X-37B space planes.
Ha. Beat me by a minute. We must have been typing at the same time.
Wow, definitely warrants its own thread:Quote from: cppetrie on 06/06/2017 09:10 pmI hadn't seen this come up anywhere here yet, so if so missed this, please disregard. Fox Business is reporting that SpaceX will be launching an Air Force payload in August and from the sounds of it, it'll be the X37-B. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/06/elon-musks-spacex-to-conduct-first-mission-with-u-s-air-force.htmlQuoteTech entrepreneur and founder of aerospace company SpaceX, Elon Musk, is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force for the first time later this summer to conduct a joint mission for the military.Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that SpaceX would be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August via one of the unmanned, reusable X-37B space planes.Quote from: mainmind on 06/06/2017 09:11 pmSpace-X to launch Air Force's next X-37B on a Falcon 9 August 2017. First X-37B launch not on an Atlas 5. First Air Force payload for Space X (per the article). Launch site (VAFB vs. KSC) not mentioned. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/06/spacex-launches-us-air-force-x-37b-space-plane.htmlEdit/Lar: see also https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42889 which is about tech requirements, not mission specific stuff...
Space-X to launch Air Force's next X-37B on a Falcon 9 August 2017. First X-37B launch not on an Atlas 5. First Air Force payload for Space X (per the article). Launch site (VAFB vs. KSC) not mentioned. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/06/spacex-launches-us-air-force-x-37b-space-plane.html
All Falcon Heavy cores should be at the Cape in two to three months, so launch should happen a month after that
Why would we not assume the X-37B core would RTLS? It should be lighter than Dragon right?
Quote from: intrepidpursuit on 06/08/2017 04:02 pmWhy would we not assume the X-37B core would RTLS? It should be lighter than Dragon right?Add in the weight of the fairing. Dragon weighs about 9,300 lbs, typical payload 6,000 lbs, total 15,300 lbs. X-37B is about 11,000 lbs, I think the fairing is about 4,500 lbs, so about the same?
Quote from: DOCinCT on 06/10/2017 12:19 pmQuote from: intrepidpursuit on 06/08/2017 04:02 pmWhy would we not assume the X-37B core would RTLS? It should be lighter than Dragon right?Add in the weight of the fairing. Dragon weighs about 9,300 lbs, typical payload 6,000 lbs, total 15,300 lbs. X-37B is about 11,000 lbs, I think the fairing is about 4,500 lbs, so about the same?Fairing dropped just after staging, so X-37B is lesser payload. RTLS is a good bet.
Quote from: AncientU on 06/10/2017 01:11 pmQuote from: DOCinCT on 06/10/2017 12:19 pmQuote from: intrepidpursuit on 06/08/2017 04:02 pmWhy would we not assume the X-37B core would RTLS? It should be lighter than Dragon right?Add in the weight of the fairing. Dragon weighs about 9,300 lbs, typical payload 6,000 lbs, total 15,300 lbs. X-37B is about 11,000 lbs, I think the fairing is about 4,500 lbs, so about the same?Fairing dropped just after staging, so X-37B is lesser payload. RTLS is a good bet.So says Chris B
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 5m5 minutes agoValerie Skarupa, Spaceflight: our first dedicated rideshare launch, on a Falcon 9, now scheduled for Feb 2018.
Quote SecAf Wilson just said SpaceX would "go up again on August 17" so presumably that's the exact date for the X-37B launch. https://mobile.twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/877538416593960960
SecAf Wilson just said SpaceX would "go up again on August 17" so presumably that's the exact date for the X-37B launch.
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.htmlQuoteThen, a Falcon 9 is slated to launch another Dragon supply mission to the ISS on August 10 at2:07pm EDT. The launch window is instantaneous.
Then, a Falcon 9 is slated to launch another Dragon supply mission to the ISS on August 10 at2:07pm EDT. The launch window is instantaneous.
Q: @IridiumBoss Mr. Desch, congratulations! What are the target dates for Iridium3 & others? When is completion of constellation expected? ThxTweet from Matt Desch: Completion in mid-2018 (6 more by then). Will announce date for next one soon.