NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: gongora on 06/14/2017 05:33 pm
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UPDATES ONLY THREAD for Flight 2 of the Iridium NEXT missions.
Flight 2: June 25 at 13:24:59 PDT (20:24:59 UTC) on Falcon 9 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg. Landing of first stage (1036) on ASDS is expected.
Flight 2 will launch 10 satellites into Iridium plane 3. Five of those satellites will then be drifted to planes 2 and 4.
NSF Threads for Iridium NEXT Flight 2: Discussion (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42097.0) / Updates (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43149.0) / L2 Coverage May-June (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42839.0)
NSF Articles for Iridium NEXT Flight 2: SpaceX testing Vandy Falcon 9 amid schedule realignment (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/spacex-vandy-falcon-9-schedule-realignment/)
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/spacex-falcon-9-iridium-next-2-launch/
Flight 1 was a successful launch and first stage offshore landing, January 14, 2017 (9:54 PST/17:54 UTC) on Falcon 9 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg. See the Flight 1 Discussion Thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35112.0) for more information and links to other Flight 1 threads and articles.
General information for Iridium flights 1-7
Payload Mass: 8600kg for 10 satellites + 1000kg for dispenser = 9600kg
Launch orbit: 625km, 86.66 degrees
Operational orbit: 778km, 86.4 degrees
81 Satellites will be built for Iridium NEXT, with 66 being needed for a fully operational constellation. All of the satellites will carry ADS-B aviation tracking hosted payloads (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35112.msg1632414#msg1632414) for Aireon, and 60 of the satellites will carry AIS maritime tracking hosted payloads (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35112.msg1631005#msg1631005) for exactEarth.
Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
SpaceX News Articles (Recent) (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/) / SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews) (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0)
SpaceX Dragon Articles (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/dragon/) / SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0)
L2 SpaceX Section (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0)
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Vandenberg 30th SW Facebook page
Launch Scheduled- Falcon 9 Iridium 2
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch the Iridium NEXT satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here Sunday, June 25, at 1:25 p.m. PDT.
This will be the first launch for Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, who took command on June 9th.
"I'm excited my first launch opportunity is in partnership with SpaceX," said Hough. "And being a part of putting Iridium NEXT in orbit to meet the growing demand for global mobile communication is icing on the cake. As a side, this will also be our first launch with the Autonomous Flight Safety System, which is expected to help decrease launch costs and improve turnaround times between launches."
The Autonomous Flight Safety System debuted on its maiden flight from Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket earlier this year, leveraging software developed at the 30th Space Wing.
This is the second of eight planned Iridium NEXT launches. Each launch will contribute to replacing the world’s largest commercial satellite network and the only network that covers 100 percent of the earth. Iridium NEXT will enable new capabilities like Aireon’s real-time, global aircraft surveillance and tracking service, and Iridium Certus, the Company’s next-generation communications platform that will bring broadband speeds to even the world’s most remote locations.
For questions about SpaceX, please contact John Taylor, communications director, SpaceX, at 310.363.6703 or [email protected].
For more information about the Iridium NEXT satellite, visit: www.iridium.com
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Static Fire is June 20. Two individual launch teams, so possible to keep to the schedule, even if SpaceX launches BulgariaSat-1 the same day (based on the new back up date to the new NET 19th target). :o
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L2 sats fueled and ready. SpaceX prepping for static fire next week. BulgariaSat-1 now Monday, with us following 5 days later on Saturday!
https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/875390696601137152 (https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/875390696601137152)
Mental error - make that 6 days later on Sunday. Wasn't making news with a schedule change! :)
https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/875392073180082176 (https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/875392073180082176)
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Like Ernie Banks used to say...let's fly two!
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Iridium Corporate@IridiumComm · 15 jun.
Excited to share the official #IridiumNEXT 2nd launch patch!
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All photos: Iridium Corp.
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Eight hours until expected T-0 for this static fire (1:30pm local)....of course, static fires can be conducted at any time within a long window.
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Knocked together an article for the Static Fire. Didn't want to repeat the "what the static fire is about", so trying to change it up each time. This one is more a round up of the near term fun:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/spacex-vandy-falcon-9-schedule-realignment/
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All 10 #IridiumNEXT SVs are locked & loaded, in prep for launch on 6/25! @SpaceX @Thales_Alenia_S @AireonLLC @OrbitalATK #Iridium-2
https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/877237391383252993 (https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/877237391383252993)
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Still shooting for today. Window lasts until 5pm local.
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Until 30 minutes if the latest T-0 holds.
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Static Fire via L2....but as always, wait for SpaceX to tweet the confirmation of a good test via quick look review.
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So, here we have NOTMAR Iridium-2 Launch Hazard Areas (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1GwvMWuWyokeVZJWqy9nNMH_Pug4&ll=31.75841384505386%2C-121.09057394689569&z=6) with planned ASDS position and Stage2 debris area.
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Confirmation:
Static fire test of Falcon 9 at Vandenberg AFB complete—launch of 10 @IridiumComm NEXT satellites slated for Sunday, June 25.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/877291820962594816
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30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.)
L-2 Day Planning Forecast
Western Range Operation Forecast
W7295
Issued: 23 Jun 17 / 0800L (1500Z)
Valid: 25 Jun 17 / 1325L (2025Z)
Vehicle/Payload: Falcon 9/Iridium-2
Location: VAFB SLC-4
T-0 Forecast: The subtropical ridge will be the dominant feature on Sunday with the marine layer influence strong over the range. Cooling overnight and sustained northwesterly flow will allow the marine layer to move in over the range and linger on the coastal areas, bringing low shallow stratus and fog through the count. By T-0, the marine layer will have broken out, the stratus will be clearing out and visibility restrictions lifted. Winds will be onshore through the count with T-0 winds out of the northwest at 10 - 15 knots. Temperatures will range from 63 - 68F and max upper-level winds will be from the west at 50 knots from 34,000 to 36,000 feet. The overall POV will be 0% with no constraints of concern.
24 Hour Scrub Forecast: High pressure will continue to influence the range on Monday. The marine layer will again move in overnight, bringing low stratus and reduction to visibility through the count and a burn-off by T-0. Winds will increase slightly to 12 - 15 with knots by T-0 out of the northwest with a slightly enhanced gradient. Temperatures will rise to 65 - 70F and max upper-level winds will increase, with winds out of the west-southwest at 55 knots from 34,000 to 36,000 feet. The overall POV will remain at 0% with no constraints of concern.
Significant Clouds: Stratus
Coverage: 4/8 ths
Bases: 300 ft
Tops: 900 ft
Visibility: 7 Miles
Weather: None
Wind: 310 - 340 at 10 - 15 knots
Temperature: 63 - 68° F
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 0%
Area of concern: None
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 Hour Delay: 0%
Area of concern: None
Next Forecast Issuance: 24/0900L
QC: TB
:D
Edit: attached summary now posted online
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Webcast link for this mission:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIwZg8F9b8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIwZg8F9b8)
Presskit also uploaded to spacex.com: http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/iridium2presskit.pdf (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/iridium2presskit.pdf)
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SpaceX patch from the press kit.
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Updated weather forecast summary attached. Still 100% GO.
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Iridium-2 vertical with newly-designed titanium grid fins.
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Email from MarineTraffic.com (http://MarineTraffic.com) - Departure: NRC QUEST, Port: LOS ANGELES at 2017-06-24 10:17 Local Time (2017-06-24 17:17 UTC)
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Crop of above picture showing fin detail:
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Side by Side of the Weekend Warriors
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Feature article by William Graham!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/spacex-falcon-9-iridium-next-2-launch/
Photos via a L2 set from Chris Gebhardt and Philip Sloss out there for NSF. Brady Kennison - for NSF - still involved as we used one of his BulgariaSat-1 photos. :)
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Elon has some free time to spend on twitter:
Flying with larger & significantly upgraded hypersonic grid fins. Single piece cast & cut titanium. Can take reentry heat with no shielding.
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878821062326198272)
Are they heavier than the originals?
Slightly heavier than shielded aluminum, but more control authority and can be reused indefinitely with no touch ups
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878822240699035649)
Do the larger fins require more hydraulic fluid for the standard recovery profile?
They will, but the hydraulic system is closed loop, so no fluid lost. They do need more power & energy, but rocket has plenty of that.
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878823434268033025)
Is this the first closed loop version? I thought some of the early attempts ran out of hydraulic fluid due to it being open
We used to have a (lame) open loop hydraulic system, but that was upgraded to closed about 2 years ago
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878839825473822720)
Did the heating of the previous fins show noticeable issues with steering?
No, but shielding got fragged every flight. More control authority is for Falcon Heavy, but also enables Falcon 9 to land in heavier winds.
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878824283178287105)
Also probably means the first stage can glide further
True, but that's a minor factor for rockets
(https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878824485280817153)
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/albums/72157683148022571
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Hi res closeup of new grid fins.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxWVmelhKG/?hl=en
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Hi res closeup of new grid fins.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxWVmelhKG/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxWVmelhKG/?hl=en)
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Right now, our instantaneous launch window is 13:25:14 PDT (20:25:14 GMT/UTC). If that changes, I'll update.
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Hard to see, but the cows of VAFB are ready. Fog is burning off too!
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Coming up on launch readiness poll per the press kit.
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Under an hour to launch. The RP-1 loading should commence at this time.
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Per LD loop, launch area clear and ready to proceed with terminal count
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Bill Harwood:
https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/879059396034277377
F9/Iridium: A range issue of some sort is apparently in work; no details yet
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T-40 minutes.
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T-35 minutes. LOX loading should be starting now.
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Chris G:
Boat in exclusion zone. Range go aside from that
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About 20 minutes until the webcast starts.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIwZg8F9b8
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JRTI has been moved.
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Funky music just turned on.
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Some funky music to start the day.
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From Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, SpaceX and YouTube present live coverage of the second Falcon 9 launch in two days this weekend. This time, ten brand-new Iridium-NEXT satellites will be flown to Low Earth Orbit.
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Today's commentator is John Insprucker.
Pretty foggy outside.
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We're at T-14 minutes and counting.
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That's a scene!
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Webcast has started. A bit foggy.
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This will be the fourth usage of SLC-4E by SpaceX's Falcon 9.
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Looking at a live view from "Just Read the Instructions".
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T-13 minutes.
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Very marginal weather for the drone ship.
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T-12 minutes. ASDS and vehicle 36.
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The strongback will be 77.5 degrees away from the rocket at liftoff, unlike LC-39A's version.
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T-11 minutes. Not working any issues.
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T-10 minutes. In about three minutes, engine chilldown should start.
The Iridium-NEXT satellites are on internal power.
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Range GREEN!
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T-10 minutes. Ship has moved out of keep out zone.
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Today's launch window is instantaneous, meaning that if a hold is called, a 24-hour turnaround initiates.
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T-9 minutes. One second window.
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Showing interview with Matt Desch.
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T-8 minutes. Deployment of each satellite is every 100 seconds.
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T-7 minutes. The first stage engine chilldown sequence beginning.
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T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting now.
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T-6 minutes. About 8 minutes after launch, the first stage will attempt a landing on the "Just Read the Instructions" drone ship. This is assuming everything goes as planned.
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T-6 minutes.
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T-5 minutes. All tanks should be pressurizing for strongback retraction. The clamps beneath the fairing will open first before the strongback is lowered to its T0 position.
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Pressing for strongback retract. No throwback with this TEL.
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T-5 minutes. RP-1 loading complete on both stages. Still loading LOX.
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T-4 minutes. Upper altitude winds look good.
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T-4 minutes. Winds are go for launch.
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T-3 minutes.
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T-3 minutes. Stage 2 TVC motion nominal.
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T-2 minutes. The Western Range is GO for the planned T0 of 20:25:14 UTC.
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Strongback retraction is complete.
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T-2 minutes. Range is green.
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T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is on startup mode.
All tanks pressurizing for launch.
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What a vent!
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T-45 seconds. The Launch Director just gave his GO.
T-30.
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T-1 minute. AFTS is ready for launch.
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T-15 seconds. Falcon 9 is configured for flight.
T-10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, we have engine start, 0, and liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the second dectet of Iridium-NEXT satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The tower is cleared.
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Launch!!!
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T+25 seconds. The roll and pitch programs have initiated.
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Liftoff!
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T+50 seconds. Falcon 9 approaching the sound barrier in about ten seconds.
Stage 1 PU is nominal.
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Mach 1. The vehicle now experiencing maximum dynamic pressure.
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LAUNCH!
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T+90 seconds. Main Engine Cut Off will occur at T+2 minutes, 24 seconds; this will be followed by stage separation and the first second stage engine start.
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T+1 minute.
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MVac chilldown underway.
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T+2 minutes, 10 seconds. First stage engines throttling down to limit acceleration stresses prior to MECO.
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We have MECO-1. And stage separation is confirmed.
Second stage has ignited for the first of two burns.
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T+2 minutes.
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MECO + SEP
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First stage now flipping to its boostback burn attitude.
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Stage 1 boostback burn has started; the three restartable engines will fire until the impact point lies directly on the drone ship.
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T+3 minutes, 15 seconds. The payload fairing has been jettisoned.
Stage 2 power and telemetry look good.
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And we have shutdown of the boostback burn. Standing by for the titanium grid fins to deploy.
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Fairing separation
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All four grid fins have deployed; these will help steer the first stage in addition to the cold-gas thrusters.
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T+3 minutes.
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T+4 minutes.
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Grid fins deployed (slower than old ones)
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New fins slower to deploy.
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T+4 minutes.
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T+5 minutes. Stage 2 and Stage 1 trajectories look good.
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T+5 minutes.
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Stage 1 entry burn has started. This burn uses a 1-3-1 engine sequence to reduce aerodynamic heating.
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Entry burn started
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Entry burn is now complete. Stage 2 propulsion still nominal.
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Stage 1 AFTS is safed.
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T+6 minutes. Entry burn.
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Entry burn complete.
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Stage 1 is transonic. JRTI AOS confirmed.
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Stage 1 landing burn has started. Only the center engine fires for about 30 seconds, based on past landings, until touchdown occurs.
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AOS
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Landing legs are being deployed. Attitude is nominal.
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T+7 minutes. ASDS has signal.
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And we have touchdown of Core B1036. This marks the 13th successful landing out of 18 attempts since they began in January 2015.
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Landing burn underway
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Landed looks dead centre
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Touchdown!
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Stage 2 AFTS has safed. MVac chamber pressures look good.
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And another one!
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SECO-1 is confirmed. Starting now, a 43-minute coast phase will be in effect until Falcon 9 reaches its apogee. At that point, a short burst of the MVac engine will raise the perigee.
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SECO-1
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Nominal parking orbit insertion.
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T+9 minutes. SECO!
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Good insertion orbit
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All right. We will now take a commercial break for the majority of the coast phase. When we return, the second stage will do its perigee raise and eventually release the 10 Iridium-NEXT satellites.
Don't go away just yet.
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In good orbit. Upcoming events.
00:52:06 2nd stage engine restarts
00:52:09 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:57:10 Iridium NEXT satellites begin deployment
01:12:00 Iridium NEXT satellites end deployment
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T+11 minutes. Orbit animation while we wait.
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Watched contrail and a bit of orange flame from the beach at the end of my street (about 65 miles NW) and hurried home to see the landing. Grid fins looked to be in great shape. Noticeable lack of burnt bits on the stage one camera lens too!
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20 minutes Mission Elapsed Time.
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T+20 minutes. Halfway to Antarctica.
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T+30, almost at Antarctica. About halfway between SECO1 and second stage startup 2
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T+30 minutes. Approaching Antarctica.
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Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
New titanium grid fins worked even better than expected. Should be capable of an indefinite number of flights with no service.
4:56 PM - 25 Jun 2017
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S2 over the penguins.
Most of you are (thanks!) but remember, until the last sat is deployed, this is updates only.
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Stage 2 live telemetry popped back up on screen, and the 'map view' camera is panning around Antarctica.
About 2/3 of the way to ignition 2
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Falcon 9 just passed over the South Pole.
T+39 minutes.
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Current altitude is 523 kilometers, velocity is 27,040 kilometers per hour.
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T+40 minutes. Flying over Antarctica.
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About ten minutes until second stage restart.
Coast phase looks good thus far.
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Vandenberg always jump the gun!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil
FALCON 9 LAUNCH SUCCESS
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg supported the successful launch of ten Iridium NEXT satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E here Sunday, Jun. 25, at 1:25 p.m. PDT.
This was the first launch for Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, since he took command on June 9th.
"We are once again proud to support another successful launch of Iridium NEXT," said Hough. "This launch is a perfect demonstration of the high level of teamwork and precision that exists between Team Vandenberg and SpaceX."
This was the second of eight planned Falcon 9 launches supporting the deployment of Iridium's next generation global satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. Each launch contributes to replacing the world's largest commercial satellite network and the only network that covers 100 percent of the earth. Iridium NEXT will enable new capabilities like Aireon's real-time, global aircraft surveillance and tracking service, and Iridium Certus?, the Company's next-generation communications platform that will bring broadband speeds to even the world's most remote locations
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Contact information for 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
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T+48 minutes.
Altitude 593 kilometers, velocity 26,772 kilometers per hour.
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HBK AOS confirmed.
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Falcon 9 approaching the east coast of Madagascar.
Iridium promo being played.
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T+50 minutes. About 2 minutes from second ignition.
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One minute until second stage restart. This will be a 3-second burn.
MVac should start chilling down now.
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MVac ignition confirmed.
And we have SECO-2. Powered flight is over.
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Altitude 628 kilometers, velocity 27,094 kilometers per hour.
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SECO-2
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At about 57 minutes, deployment of the ten Iridium-NEXT satellites will start. We may not see all of them deploy because the onboard cameras could lose their signal.
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Second ignition and cutoff!
Have good orbit.
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John nearly said 'appears' and then corrected himself - "didn't want to leave any doubt there' :)
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Deployment sequence should last 15 minutes altogether.
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T+55 minutes. Deployment in two minutes 10 seconds.
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Iridium satellite deployment should start now.
Passed the 57-minute mark.
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First spacecraft deploy confirmed.
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First sat is away!
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Big lump of ice on one of the outlets.
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Expected HBK LOS.
Second spacecraft has deployed.
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Second sat is away.
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One hour into the flight.
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Other view is showing smaller lumps of ice.
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Altitude 624 kilometers, velocity 27,114 kilometers per hour.
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Third satellite has deployed.
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Dubai AOS confirmed.
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LOS Mauritius.
Third sat is away.
AOS Dubai.
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Fourth satellite is away.
Falcon 9 power and telemetry are healthy.
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Fourth sat is away! Picture this time.
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Fifth satellite has deployed.
Falcon 9 approaching the Arabian Penninsula.
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Fifth spacecraft deployment confirmed. Halfway there.
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Six down, four to go.
Altitude 625 kilometers, velocity 27,108 kilometers per hour.
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Sixth sat away. Bottom of view.
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Seventh sat is away. Three remain on the dispenser.
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Number seven is away. Top of view.
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Eighth spacecraft deploy confirmed.
Still got good data from Dubai.
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Eighth satellite deployed. Not in view.
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T+1 hour, 10 minutes.
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That's nine out of ten, guys.
One more to go.
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Falcon 9 passing along the western side of the Caspian Sea.
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Number nine doing fine. One more to go.
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Congrats to all. Thanks again to Steve, Zach, Chris G and others for the coverage!
ARTICLE By William Graham - updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/06/spacex-falcon-9-iridium-next-2-launch/
Thread allowing one post of congrats each. Discussion, responses, so on to the other threads! :)
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That's the tenth and final satellite, which means the mission is now over.
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium for making this launch/landing possible.
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Congrats to SpaceX, Iridium and NSF on another fine job all around! How spoiled we are with routine excellence!!!
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SpaceX: Working really hard to make space launches seem easy...
Even landings are starting to look easy too :) ;) :D ;D 8)
Congrats !
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"10 for 10! Its a clean sweep. We can tie a broom to Falcon 9."
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Webcast now concluding.
I'll see you guys later.
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Congratulations SpaceX and Iridium!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKpyZQiQsaU
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10 for 10!
Congrats SpaceX and Iridium. The first-stage landing was beautiful. The future is now.
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Wrapping up coverage.
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Congratulations Iridium and SpaceX! Let's do it again soon!
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Congratulations to SpaceX, Iridium, the Western Range and all involved on a great mission.
Two fully-successful missions in the span of 3 days is pretty damn impressive!
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Wow. Many congratulations SpaceX and Iridium!
SpaceX's momentum is now something to behold. S1 recovery is completely routine, even in difficult conditions with a late change in landing location due to weather. Relentless evolution and optimisation of F9 continues; this launch with the new grid fin design. Maturity of operations is shown with yet another flawless countdown, two launches 49 hours apart, with the result that two droneships are simultaneously returning boosters to port on different oceans.
Whatever does, or does not, happen with SpaceX's Mars ambitions, they are taking the industry to new heights. SpaceX I salute you.
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Congrats to the entire team who made today's launch a success!
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Congratulations to all, terrific mission and great coverage!!
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Congrats to SpaceX, Iridium, VAFB and all others involved! Landing looked soft(er) than two days ago, hope to see this stage 1 fly again.
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Congratulations as always. Nice to see things go so smoothly. Especially like the clear camera view all the way back down this time.
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End of coverage.
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium for the successful launch!
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Congrats to SpaceX and Iridium - onto the next one!
Thanks NSF for the coverage!
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Congrats to SpaceX and Iridium and all others invovled on a successful launch and spacecraft deployment. Keep up the good work, it's been a stellar weekend of rocket launches!
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Congratulations to everyone involved - that's how you toss a pile of sats to orbit *and* catch yet another slightly used rocket. Still not boring.
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Congrats to SpaceX and all other teams for the wonderful launch, landing and deployment.
And congrats to SpaceX for the double header sweep!!!
8) 8) 8)
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Ten for ten... and nine launches so far this year (June25th)
New hardware lookin' good, too.
Like the sound of indefinite number of relaunches without refurbishment.
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Clean Launch, Landing and Sat deploys! Way to go, SpaceX. :)
....P.S: Are those ice chunks on the nitrogen outlets going to be any kind of problem for the stage 2 de-orbit burn?
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Well done again, SpaceXers! Don't let your foot off the gas! 8)
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Just great, what a fantastic weekend for SpaceX and their customers. What a great weekend also for us rocket lovers! Many thanks to all who gave such great coverage.
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Congratulations to Iridium and SpaceX for the successful launch, and particularly SpaceX for spoiling us with two successful launches within 48 hours! 8) 8) 8)
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Congrats to all involved... again. :)
Keep looking forward.
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Congratulations to SpaceX, Iridium, the Western Range and all involved on another successful mission!
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Ten and done. Satellites are all up, Booster is back down and that's a heckuva lot of work on a weekend.
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Two launches, two landings and eleven satellites in two days. Wow. Congrats SpaceX.
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<yawn> This is getting boring...
Just kidding - congratulations to SpaceX pro's, who make it all look easy! ;)
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Woohoo! What an epic weekend! Congratulations with picture perfect launches east and west coast, SpaceX!
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Congrats to all at SpaceX and Iridium! And much thanks to all here at NSF who provided the great coverage!
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Congrats all!
and how fun to have launches from both coasts.
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Congrats SpaceX on back to back launches. It will be unfortunate to wait another two weeks until the next.
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Congrats once again to SpaceX for making another launch! Lets hope regular launches every couple of days are not too far away :)
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Congratulations SpaceX, Iridium, and the range! Thanks to NSF for the narration as I was on the road with very spotty cell phone coverage. (No I am not the driver)
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Way to "book-end" the weekend SpaceX, "two up and two down". 8) It has been a privilege to witness your accomplishment "from sea to shining sea"... I am so proud for all the teams involved, congratulations and get some well deserved rest. Thank you NSF for continued excellent coverage! :)
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Sped up version of today's rocket landing on the Droneship Just Read the Instructions (guess it… https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxysOlA04j/
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/879092174390001665 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/879092174390001665)
Edit to add video
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Thanks to Chirs, Steve, and Zach for all the coverage. Congrats SpaceX!!
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SpaceX Falcon 9 B1029.2 Launches and Lands - Mission Success. SpaceX Falcon 9 B1036 Launches and Lands - Mission Success. 49 hours apart.
Fastest US turnaround since a pair of non-identical Titans launched in 1989. Fastest since a pair of Atlas SLV-3's launched in 1966.
(Thanks to William Graham's article).
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Congrats SpaceX and Iridium! Now to get LC-40 back online and go for a new triple record
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Congrats to SpaceX on yet another successful launch and landing. Missed that one unfortunately :(
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Beautiful. Congratulations to all involved.
I still want to see video of Friday's landing. :o
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Our members interning at @NASAJPL went to the @SpaceX #Falcon9 @IridiumComm launch! Photos by @Jakedageek; @jeff_foust @elonmusk
https://twitter.com/columbiasi/status/879096269137825792 (https://twitter.com/columbiasi/status/879096269137825792)
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Congratulations SpaceX! Good work getting 2 launches & landings in 49 hours. 9 launches in 6 months.
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Nice double-header, and perfect companion to Hidden Figures. Thanks for continuing to push us forward.
We're already on Mars.
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Jun 25, 2017
Successful Second Launch Doubles the Number of Iridium® NEXT Satellites in Space
SpaceX Delivers 10 More Iridium NEXT Satellites to Orbit, Continuing Infrastructure Build for Aireon's Real-Time Aircraft Surveillance System and Iridium Certus℠
MCLEAN, Va., June 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM), the only communications company with truly global coverage, announced today the successful second launch of its next-generation network, Iridium NEXT. This payload of 10 satellites was deployed into low-Earth orbit, approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, at 1:25pm PDT (20:25 UTC). With this launch complete, there are now 20 Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit, establishing the infrastructure for groundbreaking technologies such as Iridium Certus and Aireon's space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft tracking and surveillance service. Iridium Certus is poised to disrupt industry norms by enabling truly global L-band satellite broadband speeds through smaller, more cost-effective antennas.
Since the successful January 14, 2017 launch, Iridium NEXT satellites have already been integrated into the operational constellation and are providing service. The first eight operational Iridium NEXT satellites are already providing superior call quality and faster data speeds with increased capacity to Iridium customers. The two additional satellites from the first launch are continuing to drift to their operational orbital plane, where upon arrival they will begin providing service. Iridium NEXT satellites from today's launch will be tested and integrated into the constellation over the coming weeks. Just as with the first launch, on-orbit testing and validation will be completed by the Iridium and Thales Alenia Space teams. Five of the 10 satellites from this launch will be sent to adjacent orbits ("planes") to optimize the network deployment and ensure eleven operational satellites, and at least one in-orbit spare, are in each of Iridium's six polar orbiting planes following full deployment.
"Right now, it's two down with six more launches to go," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer, Iridium. "Our operations team is eagerly awaiting this new batch of satellites and is ready to begin the testing and validation process. After several weeks of fine-tuning, the next set of ‘slot swaps' will begin, bringing more Iridium NEXT satellites into operational service, and bringing us closer to an exciting new era for our network, company, and partners."
Among the many technologies enabled by Iridium NEXT is a unique hosted payload from Iridium's partner, Aireon, which will provide a real-time, global aircraft surveillance and tracking service. Today, air traffic controllers and aircraft operators face the problem of being unable to see the location of aircraft at all times, worldwide. This is largely due to the lack of aircraft tracking infrastructure on the ground in remote regions and over the oceans. The AireonSM system is designed to solve this problem. To date, more than one billion aircraft position reports have been received by the first eight operational Aireon payloads, activated after the first Iridium NEXT launch this past January.
"Since first launch, our technology has exceeded all expectations," said Don Thoma, chief executive officer, Aireon. "With just eight payloads, we have seen an incredible amount of data, from aircraft and vehicle antennas of both high and surprisingly low wattage. We've conducted flight tests with the FAA and NAV CANADA, which were designed to really push our system's limits, while also helping to fine-tune its capabilities. We're on a path to revolutionizing how the world sees the skies, and with each launch come one step closer to making it a global reality."
According to analyses conducted by the Flight Safety Foundation and Purdue University's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, space-based ADS-B, utilized by the Aireon system, can increase safety while also reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
Through a series of eight launches, SpaceX will deliver 75 Iridium NEXT satellites to low-Earth orbit, with 66 making up the operational constellation. In total, 81 new satellites are being built, with nine serving as on-orbit spares and six as ground spares. The satellites were designed by Thales Alenia Space, which serves as system prime contractor, and are being integrated by Thales's subcontractor, Orbital ATK, at its Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Arizona. The production process features an 18-station, state-of-the-art assembly line system for all 81 Iridium NEXT satellites.
For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit https://www.iridiumnext.com.
http://investor.iridium.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1031231 (http://investor.iridium.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1031231)
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Congratulations to all involved. Impressive pair of launches in rapid succession.
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Congratulations SpaceX, Iridium !
;D
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Huge congratulations to everyone involved in today's launch - doubleheader ends with the home team 2 for 2!
It's crazy how quickly things have ramped up. First F9 out of Vandy flew less than 4 years ago - what an incredible amount SpaceX has done in that time. Can't wait to see what they can manage in the future - hopefully more turnaround records, if nothing else!
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SpaceX have now posted a full size version of the grid fin photo
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Congrats everyone, and thanks to the NSF crew for coverage.
For SpaceX, this is two successful launches, two sets of payloads successfully delivered to orbit, and two successful booster recoveries--all in less than three days.
Keep on rockin' SpaceX.
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SpaceX have now posted a full size version of the grid fin photo
Note the S/N#003 on the far right fin visible.
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Congratulations to SpaceX, Iridium, Thales Alenia, OrbitalATK, the West Range and specially the NSF. Chris, Zack and Steven, you are amazing.
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That was my first launch in person! The first few seconds after it cleared the hill were unfortunately blocked by the fog, however an amazing view after that. ;D
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Congrats spacex. Nice to have a core on each drone ship at the same time with just little time between launches.
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SNOC Report: Received telemetry from all 10 #IridiumNEXT satellites. #NEXTevolution #Iridium-2
https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/879114071160885251 (https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/879114071160885251)
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Was expecting to see those titanium fins glow red hot :/
https://twitter.com/migueldelagza/status/879103519151710208 (https://twitter.com/migueldelagza/status/879103519151710208)
They should on high velocity missions to Geostationary Transfer Orbit
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/879104704583581696 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/879104704583581696)
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Boring. Wake me up when they land 2 in 2 days on Mars. (J/K).
Congratz spaceX and all involved! These will never get boring. I'm so excited for the future of space flight.
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Congratulations to all, but especially SpaceX and Iridium. :)
Looks like the steamroller is here already. 8)
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Congrats SpaceX!
2 successful launches in ~48 hours
11 new geosynchronous satellites deployed
4 new grid fins!
2 first stage boosters returned
(maybe some reusable fairings!?!)
"Companies get disrupted because it's too painful to change before it's necessary, and too late when it is"
-Aaron Levie (Box)
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Congratulations SpaceX. Watched this live over cellular data from Fenway park with my family. Game ended just seconds before liftoff. My four-year-old son now wants me to print him a JRTI to go with his OCISLY model, so he can land two at once (!).
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Another awesome launch! Congrats to everyone involved. Can't wait for the next one.
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Congrats to all the fine people that made this launch and the one on Friday possible, a long but exciting weekend!
Congrats to NSF for the excellent coverage as always. I was able to watch the launch but had to leave before the deploy and watched it when i got back. Very smooth.
What an amazing landing. Titanium for the win!
On to the next launch. :)
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Congratulations! What a week! Great work, All people at SpaceX!
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Well I'm exhausted. :D
Congrats SpaceX and Iridium!
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SpaceX has posted a couple of launch photos.
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Always good to see a happy customer:
Yes, all sats healthy and talking. It was a great day!
https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/879165656788115458 (https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/879165656788115458)
Very happy camper.
https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/879167108839428096 (https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/879167108839428096)
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Congratulations to the SpaceX Vandenburg team, SpaceX and Iridium for an exceptional launch. After the launch was moved to the left four days back in May, it does not appear that any hiccups occurred in the cadence, despite numerous delays for various reasons on the east coast. Very well done!
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Want to share one of these! Via Sam Sun (WheelStop) collection in L2 (his plane - collection starts here https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43206.msg1695182#msg1695182 ).
Falcon 9 rising through the clouds/fog.
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10 objects Found by NORAD which means S2 was reentry successfully
42803/2017-039A: 610 x 625 km x 86.67 deg.
......
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Two launches in 48 hours. I am amazed. And very happy! Especially since I saw one of them in person! But, my first thought is, hurry up and do another one!!
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Space babies (c) Katy during her Arianespace commentary - all report in healthy:
Second Set of Iridium® NEXT Satellites Arrive in Orbit and Provide Telemetry
MCLEAN, Va. – June 26, 2017 - Iridium Communications announced today that the second set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, launched yesterday by SpaceX, are functioning nominally and have begun the testing and validation process. This batch of 10 satellites was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, increasing the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in space to 20.
“We are thrilled with yesterday’s success. These new satellites are functioning well, and we are pressing forward with the testing process,” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer at Iridium. “Since the last launch, the team at our Satellite Network Operations Center (SNOC) has been anxiously awaiting this new batch of satellites. There is a lot of work to do, and we are up for the challenge.”
Now, and for approximately the next 45 days, these newly launched satellites will undergo a series of testing and validation procedures, ensuring they are ready for integration with the operational constellation. Once testing is completed, Iridium will also hand over control of Aireon’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast hosted payload, to the team at Aireon’s Hosted Payload Operations Center (HPOC), also in Leesburg, Va.
For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.
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Want to share one of these! Via Sam Sun (WheelStop) collection in L2 (his plane - collection starts here https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43206.msg1695182#msg1695182 ).
Falcon 9 rising through the clouds/fog.
Are we sure that photo is legit? Doesn't seem, from what my friends who were there tell me, that there was that much cloud cover.
No cloud/fog cover eh?
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I'll use this one-post opportunity to offer my belated congratulations to SpaceX on a very successful flight...
...and also to note a milestone, since I haven't seen it noted anywhere else.
With this flight the Falcon 9 now has more successful flights (36) to its credit than the Delta IV (35). I don't know if anyone but Elon Musk would have predicted that ten years ago.
Congratulations to SpaceX on that milestone as well.
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Successful launch of the next 10 Iridium® NEXT satellites!
26.06.2017
Second batch of 10 satellites built by Thales Alenia Space ready to join the constellation
Cannes, June 26th, 2017 – The second batch of Iridium® NEXT satellites built by Thales Alenia Space has been successfully launched by SpaceX from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After the perfect commissioning of the first 10 satellites launched in January, eight of which are now interconnected and operating in full compatibility with the initial Block One Constellation, with two being maneuvered to an adjacent plane, this milestone marks a new step for the fantastic Iridium® NEXT adventure.
Thales Alenia Space is prime contractor for the Iridium® NEXT program, in charge of engineering, integration, operations and in-orbit validation of the 81 satellites and the overall system. The first 10 satellites showed that Iridium® NEXT is perfectly compatible with the existing system. The satellites are integrated in series by Thales Alenia Space’s subcontractor Orbital ATK, at its Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Arizona while Thales Alenia Space teams are both supervising the global integration process and supporting its customer Iridium for the Launch and Early Operations (LEOP) and In Orbit Tests at the Leesburg control center.
“In addition to being a real feat of technological prowess, Iridium® NEXT also provides global coverage and doesn’t require local ground infrastructure due to how the satellites can communicate with one another, so it can provide vital assistance under certain circumstances (people lost in isolated areas, natural disasters, conflicts, etc.) And that’s why all of us feel so proud to have contributed to this program!” declared Denis Allard, Iridium® NEXT program Director for Thales Alenia Space. He added: “In addition to this second launch, the production of 26 other satellites has now been completed. We have also started integration of the 57th satellite. Everything is on track to meet our objective, namely to launch all 75 Iridium® NEXT orbital satellites by mid-2018”.
The Iridium NEXT® constellation will offer global connectivity thanks to 66 interconnected satellites at an altitude of 780 km, along with nine spares in parking orbits and six more spare satellites on the ground. This international system provides unrivaled capability for communications on the move (individuals, land vehicles, aircraft, ships), and ensures full global coverage, including the oceans.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/successful-launch-next-10-iridiumr-next-satellites
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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Team Vandenberg supported the successful launch of ten Iridium NEXT satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E here Sunday, Jun. 25, at 1:25 p.m. PDT.
This was the first launch for Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, since he took command on June 9th.
"We are once again proud to support another successful launch of Iridium NEXT," said Hough. "This launch is a perfect demonstration of the high level of teamwork and precision that exists between Team Vandenberg and SpaceX."
This was the second of eight planned Falcon 9 launches supporting the deployment of Iridium’s next generation global satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. Each launch contributes to replacing the world’s largest commercial satellite network and the only network that covers 100 percent of the earth. Iridium NEXT will enable new capabilities like Aireon’s real-time, global aircraft surveillance and tracking service, and Iridium Certus?, the Company’s next-generation communications platform that will bring broadband speeds to even the world’s most remote locations.
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PHOTO DETAILS
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Iridium-2 rocket successfully launched from Space Launch Complex 4E Sunday, Jun. 25, at 1:25 p.m. PDT., Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. This was the second of eight planned Falcon 9 launches supporting the deployment of Iridium’s next generation global satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Peterson/Released)
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Nice picture of our F9 (with logo facing out!) from Saturday before the marine layer rolled in (and never rolled out before launch)...
https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/880093547856355328 (https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/880093547856355328)
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Congrats Iridium and SpaceX. Happy Birthday Elon!
Thanks to all here at NSF for great coverage.
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Pictures from SpaceX
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https://youtu.be/F7JHx0Lzm4M (https://youtu.be/F7JHx0Lzm4M)
Published on 17 Jul 2017
On June 25, 2017, SpaceX successfully launched 10 more Iridium NEXT satellites, doubling the number of new satellites in the Iridium® constellation. This payload of 10 satellites was deployed into low-Earth orbit, approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, at 1:25pm PDT (20:25 UTC). Here are some of the highlights and memorable moments of this exciting day.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7JHx0Lzm4M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7JHx0Lzm4M)
Published on 17 Jul 2017
On June 25, 2017, SpaceX successfully launched 10 more Iridium NEXT satellites, doubling the number of new satellites in the Iridium® constellation. This payload of 10 satellites was deployed into low-Earth orbit, approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, at 1:25pm PDT (20:25 UTC). Here are some of the highlights and memorable moments of this exciting day.
Here are some very photogenic stills from those first five seconds.
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SNOC Report: First 5 Launch-2 #IridiumNEXT SVs are now active. Remaining 5 completed drift initiations. Ops team preparing for launch #3
https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/892529224183054336