The total cost for NASA to launch PACE is approximately $80.4 million, which includes the launch service and other mission related costs.
Launch
The PACE project is continuing to pursue a shared ride agreement with the Air Force, which could help to mitigate a launch vehicle risk that the project is tracking. The launch vehicle cost remains one of the project’s top risks, which could cause the project to exceed the $705 million allocated to the project or have to reduce its science capabilities. The project has $105 million budgeted toward the launch vehicle, but officials say a rideshare would significantly reduce costs. NASA and the Air Force have determined there is a path for a shared launch vehicle procurement, but no partner mission has been identified. The project currently plans to begin the procurement process in early 2019 and award the launch vehicle contract in November 2019.
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.
But I prefer giving some positive news. One of the three instruments of PACE is developed and build in the Netherlands. SPEXone (https://www.sron.nl/missions-earth/pace-spexone)
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.
But I prefer giving some positive news. One of the three instruments of PACE is developed and build in the Netherlands. SPEXone (https://www.sron.nl/missions-earth/pace-spexone)
Vega-C hasn't flown yet and thus would not be certified by LSP which is a requirement to bid. Vega doesn't have the performance for this mission, and so even without the political issues, Ariane could not have won this mission with Vega.
The competition in this performance bracket among potentially certifiable vehicles is between Antares, Euro Soyuz, F9R, and Atlas V. Antares is around $80 to $85M, and I think Euro Soyuz is in the same price bracket. Atlas V 401 is at least $110M plus more for NASA-specific services.
So F9R even at $80M was probably the cheapest option, even considering Ariane's current vehicles.
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.
But I prefer giving some positive news. One of the three instruments of PACE is developed and build in the Netherlands. SPEXone (https://www.sron.nl/missions-earth/pace-spexone)
Vega-C hasn't flown yet and thus would not be certified by LSP which is a requirement to bid. Vega doesn't have the performance for this mission, and so even without the political issues, Ariane could not have won this mission with Vega.
The competition in this performance bracket among potentially certifiable vehicles is between Antares, Euro Soyuz, F9R, and Atlas V. Antares is around $80 to $85M, and I think Euro Soyuz is in the same price bracket. Atlas V 401 is at least $110M plus more for NASA-specific services.
So F9R even at $80M was probably the cheapest option, even considering Ariane's current vehicles.
What part of "I could be silly..." (bolded above) didn't you read?
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.That would be silly, because it would be the equivalent of saying it could have launched on a Falcon 9 for $50 million US. Extra services required by NASA (and USAF) are a real thing and are expensive. It's also the total cost of the launch, and in the past we've seen that not all the money is going to SpaceX as there is e.g. payload processing to consider. (There's also the possibility that a future ride share booking will reduce the impact on NASA, but there is no news of such a rideshare at this time).
What part of "I could be silly..." (bolded above) didn't you read?So you're telling me I could put "I could be silly" before anything and then if someone calls me on it I get to say "I said I was being silly"? C'mon @woods170, you're better than that.
Separately, is this the first time a NASA LSP flight booked on a Falcon 9 will use a flight-proven core? I don't remember any others, but I might have missed it.
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.That would be silly, because it would be the equivalent of saying it could have launched on a Falcon 9 for $50 million US. Extra services required by NASA (and USAF) are a real thing and are expensive. It's also the total cost of the launch, and in the past we've seen that not all the money is going to SpaceX as there is e.g. payload processing to consider. (There's also the possibility that a future ride share booking will reduce the impact on NASA, but there is no news of such a rideshare at this time).
Separately, is this the first time a NASA LSP flight booked on a Falcon 9 will use a flight-proven core? I don't remember any others, but I might have missed it.
I haven't looked at LSP certification stuff in a long time, do you know (or does anyone else know) if a flight-proven booster is in a different (higher-risk) category than a new booster?Separately, is this the first time a NASA LSP flight booked on a Falcon 9 will use a flight-proven core? I don't remember any others, but I might have missed it.
IXPE
IXPE is launching for $42M, [...] I think most of the price difference from IXPE is SpaceX knowing that they only had to beat Antares and Atlas at $85-$110+ million, instead of having to beat Pegasus at $45-$55 million.Maybe, but I could swear I read somewhere that IXPC was a rideshare, but my googling has shown just speculation that it will be.
IXPE is launching for $42M, [...] I think most of the price difference from IXPE is SpaceX knowing that they only had to beat Antares and Atlas at $85-$110+ million, instead of having to beat Pegasus at $45-$55 million.Maybe, but I could swear I read somewhere that IXPC was a rideshare, but my googling has shown just speculation that it will be.
Regarding the services question, services are not equal for spacecraft. Unfortunately we rarely get that kind of information as to what the bid price was for the base launcher and how much goes to services (or even how much goes to e.g. payload processing done by a different company). So it's hard to compare across missions. I will admit that claiming they are always expensive is not well supported, we just don't know in this case.
I find it more odd that SSO launches like PACE aren't more frequently rideshares. There should be a much larger market.The PACE contract was just signed for a 2022 launch, and the PACE folks were previously openly hoping for a rideshare to reduce cost. I think there's an excellent chance it will end up having co-passengers by the time it flies.
Now I could be silly and state that PACE could have launched on a Vega-C for ~35mln euro.
But I prefer giving some positive news. One of the three instruments of PACE is developed and build in the Netherlands. SPEXone (https://www.sron.nl/missions-earth/pace-spexone)
Vega-C hasn't flown yet and thus would not be certified by LSP which is a requirement to bid. Vega doesn't have the performance for this mission, and so even without the political issues, Ariane could not have won this mission with Vega.
The competition in this performance bracket among potentially certifiable vehicles is between Antares, Euro Soyuz, F9R, and Atlas V. Antares is around $80 to $85M, and I think Euro Soyuz is in the same price bracket. Atlas V 401 is at least $110M plus more for NASA-specific services.
So F9R even at $80M was probably the cheapest option, even considering Ariane's current vehicles.
In Europe launch orders are delayed so Vega-C and Ariane 6 can prove themselves with their maiden launch. (Sentinel C & D's) Why doesn't this happen in the US?
Is it common in the US budget stuff that SpaceX gets this launch contract while at the same time the FY2021 NASA budget request asks for termination of PACE?It is unfortunately common, that the Trump administration is trying to kill environmental research missions, while NASA is trying to preserve the scientific research. PACE is not the only example.
Is it common in the US budget stuff that SpaceX gets this launch contract while at the same time the FY2021 NASA budget request asks for termination of PACE?
Cost and Schedule Status
The PACE project entered the implementation phase and
formally established its cost and schedule baselines in
August 2019. The project set a baseline lifecycle cost
of $889.7 million and a launch date of January 2024,
which is $39.7 million above the top-end of the project’s
preliminary cost estimate of $850 million and 9 months
later than its preliminary schedule estimate of April 2023.
The project continues to be cost-capped but NASA added
$33.8 million to the project’s baseline to account for a
2.5-month delay from the fiscal year 2019 government
shutdown and interest payments on outstanding contractor
invoices. For example, NASA reported that the shutdown
delayed contractor deliverables because the project
could not provide direction or funding on project activities.
NASA calculated the project’s joint cost and schedule
confidence level—the likelihood a project will meet its cost
and schedule estimates—as greater than 70 percent, as
generally required by NASA policy.
Similar to the previous 2 years, NASA did not request
funding for PACE in its fiscal year 2020 budget request,
but the explanatory statement accompanying the 2020
Consolidated Appropriations Act stated that the agreement
included $131 million for PACE. A separate committee
report related to the Act directed NASA to include adequate
funding for PACE in the 2021 budget request, but NASA
did not request funding for PACE in its fiscal year 2021
budget request. Project officials said budget uncertainty
has made it more challenging to find vendors willing to work
with the project, which has resulted in the project receiving
only one offer in response to about half of its competitive
solicitations. Despite funding uncertainty, the project is
holding cost and
The report above is saying that launch has been delayed to January 2024.
NASA LAUNCH SERVICES II - SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES. This modification removes Mission Unique Service (MUS) 6.0 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) Ring from the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission under Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 7, Section B, Table B-8.7 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
Launch Service Task Order for PACE Mission, for a full credit in the amount of $533,483. Also, update the Launch Service Payments, Milestones, and Completion Criteria in Table C-1.7, CLIN 7, PACE Launch Service Payment Schedule, as a result of the removal of MUS 6.0. The IMAP, CLIN 9, Section C, Table C-1.9 IMAP Launch Service Payment Schedule has been updated to correct a 3 dollar discrepancy in the Individual dollar amounts column.
PACE's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) passed its pre-environmental review in April, taking the mission one step closer to its January 2024 launch
OCI, PACE's primary sensor, is a highly advanced optical spectrometer that will be used to measure the properties of light over portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It will enable continuous measurement of light in finer spectral steps spanning the ultraviolet to near-infrared than previous NASA ocean color satellite sensors, extending key system ocean color data records for climate studies.
OCI Instrument Passes Key Review (https://pace.oceansciences.org/blog.htm?id=14) [dated May 23]QuotePACE's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) passed its pre-environmental review in April, taking the mission one step closer to its January 2024 launch
OCI, PACE's primary sensor, is a highly advanced optical spectrometer that will be used to measure the properties of light over portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It will enable continuous measurement of light in finer spectral steps spanning the ultraviolet to near-infrared than previous NASA ocean color satellite sensors, extending key system ocean color data records for climate studies.
<snip>Guessing it is the standing army needed to coordinates the image taking and analysis the images in addition to the technical folks over the number of years the PACE program is active take a large fraction of the total program budget.
I designed and prototyped just such an “Ocean Color Instrument” in the late 1990’s, although it may not have gone down into the UV. It was a small part of an instrument suite that was not selected for deployment. It’s hard to imagine it as a stand-alone mission that costs nearly $1B.
The PACE Team is working closely with SpaceX and NASA Launch Services Program team at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to coordinate preparations for the PACE launch scheduled for 9 January 2024. PACE’s ride to Florida, both the transporter and shipping container, completed road testing and certification. Come November, PACE will exit through the Goddard gates and head south for its date with a Falcon 9!
SFN Launch Schedule (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/), updated August 7:LC-39A is not available for a January 9 launch, therefore PACE will launch from SLC-40.QuoteJanuary 10 Falcon 9 • Axiom Mission 3
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on the program’s 13th flight with astronauts. The commercial mission, managed by Axiom Space, is commanded by a former NASA astronaut. Three passengers, including a representative of the Turkish Space Agency, are expected to also fly on this two-week commercial mission to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
The transport carrier containing NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) observatory spacecraft arrives at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. PACE was shipped from the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and is targeted to launch on January 30, 2024, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The PACE observatory will help us better understand how the ocean and atmosphere exchange carbon dioxide, measure key atmospheric variables associated with air quality and Earth's climate, and monitor ocean health, in part by studying phytoplankton, tiny plants and algae that sustain the marine food web.
📡It’s time to set the PACE for our next launch!
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem spacecraft arrived at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near NASA's Kennedy Space Center for processing.
🚀Liftoff is targeted for early next year on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) observatory is inspected and processed on an Aronson Tilt Table in a high bay at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.
NASA Invites Media to Launch of New Mission to Study Oceans, Clouds (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-launch-of-new-mission-to-study-oceans-clouds/)
DEC 11, 2023
Media accreditation is open for the upcoming launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud ocean Ecosystem) Earth observing science mission.
NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Tuesday, Feb. 6, for a Falcon 9 rocket to launch PACE to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide (https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html), updated January 2:Quote<snip>
A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite from pad 40 on February 6.
<snip>
Media was invited to view the NASA PACE satellite (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud,ocean Ecosystem) ahead of final preps for launch. This mission will be collecting an advanced set of climate-relevant data records and has been 20 years in the making.
📷 Me for @NASASpaceflight
PACE yourself 🛰️
Earlier this morning, members of the media were invited to view NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft in a cleanroom environment ahead of fueling and encapsulation before it’s targeted launch date next month.
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
Launch is set for an instantaneous liftoff on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1:30 a.m. EST (0630 UTC) on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
If needed, they have backup opportunities at the same time on subsequent days.
Does anybody have have an update on which booster will be launching this mission?For most Falcon 9 launches, us enthusiasts do not know booster assignments before circa 24 to 48 hours before launch, when SpaceX publishes that launch's vital information on its website.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/pace/2024/01/29/nasas-pace-spacecraft-mated-to-payload-adapter/= 06:33 UTC
[Jan 29]QuotePACE is set to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:33 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
🛰🚀The PACE is set!
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem spacecraft is #KeepingPACE and has been attached to the playload adapter. Next up - encapsulation! The mission will improve tracking plankton in the water & particles in the clouds
➡️ http://go.nasa.gov/3SjOAaC
NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for its upcoming mission to study how our oceans and atmosphere interact in a changing climate.
Launch of the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission is targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST, Tuesday, Feb. 6, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Once in orbit above Earth, PACE will shed light on the impact of tiny things – microscopic life in water and microscopic particles in the air.
Live launch coverage will begin at 12:45 a.m., Feb. 6, on NASA+, NASA Television, and the agency’s website. Full coverage of this mission including prelaunch activities is as follows (all times Eastern):
Sunday, Feb. 4
9:15 a.m. – NASA Social Panel livestream at NASA Kennedy. Watch live on YouTube, Facebook and X social media channels.
11 a.m. – PACE Science Briefing on NASA+
Monday, Feb. 5
8 a.m. – NASA EDGE will host the PACE rollout show. The rollout show will air live on NASA+, NASA TV, and YouTube.
9 a.m. – PACE Prelaunch News Conference on NASA+ and NASA TV with the following participants:
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free
Karen St. Germain, director, Earth Science Division, NASA
Tim Dunn, senior launch director, Launch Services Program, NASA
Julianna Scheiman, director, Civil Satellite Missions, SpaceX
Brian Cizek, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force
🛰🚀Sealed and soon to be delivered!
The PACE spacecraft is encapsulated in the fairings of a SpaceX Falcon 9. Instruments on board will study plankton in the ocean and aerosols in clouds. Launch is targeted for 1:33am on Feb. 6 from @SLDelta45 in FL!
➡️ https://blogs.nasa.gov/pace/
PACE Spacecraft Encapsulated in Payload Fairing
NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft is now safely encapsulated in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 payload fairings.
The fairing halves protect the spacecraft from aerodynamic pressure and heating during the ascent phase of launch. Approximately three minutes after liftoff, the halves are jettisoned and return to Earth.
Upcoming milestones for PACE include payload integration to the Falcon 9 rocket ahead of the vehicle rolling out to the pad at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
PACE will extend and improve upon NASA’s more than 20 years of global satellite observations of our living ocean, atmospheric aerosols, and clouds from its destination in a sun-synchronous, polar orbit. Its instruments will observe and measure how ocean ecosystems interact with the atmosphere in a changing climate.
The PACE project is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The agency’s Launch Services Program, based at Kennedy Space Center, is responsible for managing the launch service for the PACE mission.
Liftoff is targeted for no earlier than 1:33 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Author Jamie Groh
Posted on February 1, 2024
Categories Kennedy Space Center, Launch Services Program, NASA, NASA Goddard, PACETags aerosol, algae, Astrotech Spaceflight Operations, climate, cloud, Earth, Falcon 9, Goddard Space Flight Center, Kennedy Space Center, KSC, Launch Services Program, LSP, ocean Ecosystem, PACE, plankton, SpaceX
NASA and SpaceX technicians safely encapsulate NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 payload fairings on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The fairing halves protect the spacecraft from aerodynamic pressure and heating during the ascent phase of launch. PACE is set to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida no earlier than 1:33 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
🚀Flight Readiness Review complete!
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission will study tiny particles like phytoplankton and aerosols and their impact on climate.
Launch is set for 1:33 a.m. EST, Feb 6 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from FL. http://blogs.nasa.gov/pace/
SPACE X F9 PACE (X1817), CCSFS/KSC, FL
PRIMARY: 02/06/24 0625Z-0708Z
BACKUP(S): 02/07/24-02/12/24 0625Z-0708Z
🛰🚀L-4 days until the launch of PACE!
The spacecraft for the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission was transported to SLC 40 on @SLDelta45 in FL. A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch PACE into a sun-synchronous orbit in the early hours of Feb. 6.
➡️http://blogs.nasa.gov/pace/
No NGA notices yet, but the FAA ATCSCC Current Operations Plan Advisory now has:
011005Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 109/24(11,26).
STRAITS OF FLORIDA.
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
BAHAMAS.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
060625Z TO 060708Z FEB, ALTERNATE
0625Z TO 0708Z DAILY 07 THRU 12 FEB
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-36.93N 080-36.01W, 28-36.00N 080-23.00W,
28-20.00N 080-12.00W, 28-14.00N 080-14.00W,
28-15.00N 080-25.00W, 28-22.00N 080-28.00W,
28-26.44N 080-33.33W.
B. 26-50.00N 079-24.00W, 26-54.00N 079-12.00W,
26-26.00N 078-49.00W, 26-07.00N 078-46.00W,
26-04.00N 078-55.00W, 26-15.00N 079-12.00W.
C. 24-22.00N 080-00.00W, 24-39.00N 079-53.00W,
24-43.00N 079-43.00W, 24-44.00N 079-31.00W,
24-36.00N 079-11.00W, 24-15.00N 079-09.00W,
24-05.00N 079-24.00W, 24-05.00N 079-46.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120808Z FEB 24.
011015Z FEB 24
NAVAREA XII 46/24(22).
EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
0809Z TO 0842Z DAILY 06 THRU 12 FEB
IN AREA BOUND BY
03-40.00N 109-15.00W, 04-13.00N 111-46.00W,
09-04.00S 114-40.00W, 09-37.00S 112-07.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120942Z FEB 24.
011015Z FEB 24
HYDROPAC 391/24(22).
EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN.
DNC 06, DNC 13.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
0809Z TO 0842Z DAILY 06 THRU 12 FEB
IN AREA BOUND BY
03-40.00N 109-15.00W, 04-13.00N 111-46.00W,
09-04.00S 114-40.00W, 09-37.00S 112-07.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120942Z FEB 24.
NGA Rocket Launching notice:
Prelaunch News Conference for NASA Mission Studying Earth's Atmosphere and Oceans (Feb. 5, 2024)
NASA
5 Feb 2024
Targeted to launch on Tuesday, Feb. 6, NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite mission will study how our oceans and atmosphere interact in a changing climate. Prelaunch activities include a news conference on Monday, Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. EST (1400 UTC) with the following participants:
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free
Karen St. Germain, director, Earth Science Division, NASA
Tim Dunn, senior launch director, Launch Services Program, NASA
Julianna Scheiman, director, Civil Satellite Missions, SpaceX
Brian Cizek, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force
Credit: NASA
Science Briefing on NASA Mission Studying Earth's Atmosphere and Oceans (Feb. 4, 2024)
NASA
4 Feb 2024
Targeted to launch on Tuesday, Feb. 6, NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite mission will study how our oceans and atmosphere interact in a changing climate. Prelaunch activities include a briefing on the mission science on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. EST (1600 UTC) with the following NASA participants:
Kate Calvin, chief scientist and senior climate advisor
Karen St. Germain, director, Earth Science Division
Jeremy Werdell, PACE project scientist
Andy Sayer, PACE atmospheric scientist
Natasha Sadoff, Satellite Needs Program Manager
Credit: NASA
NGA Rocket Launching notice:
Maps from the NGA notices. Failed boostback burn splashdown about 290km downrange. Fairing recovery about 475km downrange.
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 6 at 1:33 a.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to a sun-synchronous orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Wednesday, February 7 at the same time.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on NASA+ and NASA Television about 45 minutes prior to liftoff.
This is the fourth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Targeting Tuesday, February 6 for a Falcon 9 launch of @NASA’s PACE mission from pad 40 in Florida → http://spacex.com/launches
🚀 PACE is Go for Launch!
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission is proceeding toward liftoff at 1:33 am EST, Feb. 6 on a @SpaceX Falcon 9.
Use #AskNASA to submit a question to this morning's Prelaunch News Briefing which is LIVE NOW! ➡️ https://blogs.nasa.gov/pace/
Launch window is 90s long - so enough to adjust for any late breaking collision avoidance required. Obviously not long enough to avoid any weather issues. They plan to target the middle of the 90s window and leave the 2nd half (last 45s) for collision avoidance if needed.
Launch cost to NASA for this mission is about $81M.
Launch window is 90s long - so enough to adjust for any late breaking collision avoidance required. Obviously not long enough to avoid any weather issues. They plan to target the middle of the 90s window and leave the 2nd half (last 45s) for collision avoidance if needed.
Launch cost to NASA for this mission is about $81M.
So the targeted launch time is 06:33:45 UTC.
The stage is set for Falcon 9 and NASA’s PACE spacecraft on the grounds of SLC-40.
Current liftoff is slated for tonight (tomorrow) at 1:33am local time although weather conditions are forecasted to deteriorate as the day passes - current PGO holds at 40%.
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
👓 -
B1081.4 - youngster by today’s F9 flight standards.
Unless you know the actual launch window...to the second (start and end times), you can't determine the middle of the launch window.
Now targeting Wednesday, February 7 for Falcon 9 to launch
@NASA
's PACE mission due to expected high winds at LZ-1 during booster recovery → http://spacex.com/launches
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 7 at 1:33 a.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to a sun-synchronous orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Thursday, February 8 at the same time.
Looking for winds to subside so PACE and get to SPACE
SPACE X STARLINK 7-13, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
PRIMARY: 02/07/24 0500Z-0607Z
BACKUP(S): 02/08/24 0117Z-0546Z
SPACE X F9 PACE (X1817), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY: 02/08/24 0625Z-0708Z
BACKUP(S): 02/09/24-02/12/24 0625Z-0708Z
DRAGON AXIOM-3 RE-ENTRY, ZJX
PRIMARY: 02/08/24 1335Z-1405Z
BACKUP(S): 02/08/24 1340Z-1410Z
02/08/24 2150Z-2220Z
SPACE X STARLINK 6-39 (X2078), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY: 02/10/24 0600Z-1031Z
BACKUP(S): 02/11/24-02/16/24 0600Z-1031Z
Due to ground winds preventing prelaunch checkouts, we are now targeting Thursday, February 8 for Falcon 9 to launch PACE. Vehicle and payload remain healthy, and teams will continue to keep an eye on weather, which improves to 95% favorable for liftoff → spacex.com/launches
062216Z FEB 24
NAVAREA IV 133/24(11,26).
STRAITS OF FLORIDA.
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
080625Z TO 080708Z FEB, ALTERNATE 0625Z TO 0708Z
DAILY 09 THRU 12 FEB IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-36.93N 080-36.01W, 28-36.00N 080-23.00W,
28-20.00N 080-12.00W, 28-14.00N 080-14.00W,
28-15.00N 080-25.00W, 28-22.00N 080-28.00W,
28-26.44N 080-33.33W.
B. 26-50.00N 079-24.00W, 26-54.00N 079-12.00W,
26-26.00N 078-49.00W, 26-07.00N 078-46.00W,
26-04.00N 078-55.00W, 26-15.00N 079-12.00W.
C. 24-22.00N 080-00.00W, 24-39.00N 079-53.00W,
24-43.00N 079-43.00W, 24-44.00N 079-31.00W,
24-36.00N 079-11.00W, 24-15.00N 079-09.00W,
24-05.00N 079-24.00W, 24-05.00N 079-46.00W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 109/24.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 120808Z FEB 24.
SpaceX is targeting Thursday February 8 at 1:33 a.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to a sun-synchronous orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Friday, February 9 at the same time.
⏰Don't go to bed yet! PACE is launching in T-5 hours and you may have a unique chance to view it!
PACE will launch into a polar orbit which means the Falcon 9 will be heading south over Florida instead of the typical east trajectory over the ocean. Keep your eye on the sky! 🚀
SpaceX Falcon 9 B1081 stands ready to launch NASA's PACE satellite from SLC-40.
Live NSF commentary and coverage an hour before launch.
For now:
http://nsf.live/spacecoast
I was under the impression that even for a polar orbit SpaceX had to dog-leg around the Miami metropolitan rather than a direct overflight. Seems problematic. This flight path from NASA LSP is inconsistent with the one posted previously in this thread? Perhaps they are overgeneralizing?It may look risky, but due to the dog-leg turn, the impact point for any failure at any time is going to be out in the ocean. It may be that with experience they now feel comfortable letting the instantaneous impact point hug closer to the coast.
Previous post from OneSpeed (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50059.msg2564629#msg2564629) along with his interpretation.
I was under the impression that even for a polar orbit SpaceX had to dog-leg around the Miami metropolitan rather than a direct overflight. Seems problematic. This flight path from NASA LSP is inconsistent with the one posted previously in this thread? Perhaps they are overgeneralizing?
Previous post from OneSpeed (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50059.msg2564629#msg2564629) along with his interpretation.
Or perhaps the line is drawn incorrectly.
This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!
SPACE X F9 PACE (X1817), CCSFS, FL
PRIMARY: 02/09/24 0625Z-0708Z
BACKUP(S): 02/10/24-02/12/24 0625Z-0708Z
F9/PACE: Now 1 hour to launch; no known issues
I agree.I'm going with the last statement.I was under the impression that even for a polar orbit SpaceX had to dog-leg around the Miami metropolitan rather than a direct overflight. Seems problematic. This flight path from NASA LSP is inconsistent with the one posted previously in this thread? Perhaps they are overgeneralizing?Or perhaps the line [NASA tweet map] is drawn incorrectly.
Previous post from OneSpeed (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50059.msg2564629#msg2564629) along with his interpretation.
Live from SLC-40, NASA's PACE satellite is set to be launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
Overview:
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2024/02/pace-launch/
NSF Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=aiNl4D8ljWE
Join us as we are #KeepingPACE with the launch of
@NASA
’s newest Earth observation mission, PACE!
Have a question about the mission? Use #AskNASA!
Oh great, they decided to use that incorrect trajectory map.
The NASA Launch Manager (NLM) Propellant Load and Launch Readiness Poll is underway. The countdown is #KeepingPACE at T-42 minutes!
Propellant load of Falcon 9 underway
The weather is #KeepingPACE for tonight's launch!
According to the Launch Weather Forecast from
@SLDelta45
, we are 95% GO! 🚀
Talk of 8 crayon colors to 128 crayon colors interests me. 🖍 🤔😍
PACE is LSP’s first launch to polar orbit from the East Coast and it’s the first for NASA since 1960. Other launches to polar orbit have been from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Check out tonight's launch trajectory!
As we mentioned on the NSF stream and as they just said on the NASA stream, the T0 moved 4 seconds into the window to 1:33:36AM EST (06:33:36 UTC). If I were to guess, this is to adjust for COLAs.4 COLAS in the 4 seconds between launch window open and T-0.
Yes to let everyone viewing [know], SpaceX is not going to broadcast this.I will miss the SpaceX webcast readouts.
#KeepingPACE in outer space! Spacecraft Separation confirmed!🛰 Thanks for the great ride
@SpaceX
! 🚀
📡 We have also received Acquisition of Signal from the PACE satellite.
Over the next three years, PACE will view and collect data about the Earth’s atmosphere and ocean surface, expanding upon
@NASA
’s long-term observations of our planet
Re: solar arrays… If they launch in the middle of the night, wont’t a sun synchronous orbit always keep it at night, so with no power most of the time?
Re: solar arrays… If they launch in the middle of the night, wont’t a sun synchronous orbit always keep it at night, so with no power most of the time?
Or will the limited sun it will get in the polar regions be enough? Most LEO seats probably spend ~60% in the sun, but should receive less than that.
Re: solar arrays… If they launch in the middle of the night, wont’t a sun synchronous orbit always keep it at night, so with no power most of the time?
Or will the limited sun it will get in the polar regions be enough? Most LEO seats probably spend ~60% in the sun, but should receive less than that.
Good question, when I watch SSO from VSFB (way back) they launch at twilight so the solar panels always had sunlight on them.
Re: solar arrays… If they launch in the middle of the night, wont’t a sun synchronous orbit always keep it at night, so with no power most of the time?
Or will the limited sun it will get in the polar regions be enough? Most LEO seats probably spend ~60% in the sun, but should receive less than that.
LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1081 launches NASA's PACE satellite from SLC-40.
Staging 1-2. Booster heading back to LZ-1.
Falcon 9 B1081 RTLS landing at LZ-1.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=aiNl4D8ljWE
Boostback nebulas never get old.
Absolute stunner of a launch tonight - with the news of PACE being power positive, we now anxiously wait to see what this magnificent spacecraft is really capable of on it’s journey to further study this pale blue marble we call home.
Congratulations to @SpaceX and @NASAGoddard!
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - youtube.com/live/aiNl4D8lj…
NASA’s #PACE satellite takes to the skies upon a Falcon 9 rocket early this morning at 1:33am from Cape Canaveral!
📸 by me for @SpaceflightNow
@elonmusk @SpaceX
🚀 What goes up ⬆️ , must come down ⬇️. (Thanks to @SpaceX)
The #SpaceX Falcon9 reusable booster before MECO and stage separation on the first image and that same stage one booster a few minutes later on the second image during the entry burn on its way back to Cape Canaveral, Florida, again as seen from 130 miles away from the launchpad in Tampa, Florida during the @NASA PACE launch.
Photo: me for @SuperclusterHQ
The PACE nebula 🚀
A #SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster and second stage light up the starry skies off the coast of Florida carrying the NASA PACE ocean monitoring satellite, captured 130 miles away from the launchpad in Tampa, Florida.
Photo: me for @SuperclusterHQ
Side-by-side comparisons of @jaiden_floyd and my shots of PACE in Sarasota
Falcon 9 launches the PACE mission to polar orbit for NASA at 1:33 a.m. ET this morning and its first stage returns to land at Cape Canaveral
Dogleg gimbaling on the Falcon 9! Clip pulled from the
@NASASpaceflight stream and sped up 400% so you can see the motion more clearly
F9/PACE: We're standing by for confirmation the PACE satellite's 3-panel solar array is fully extended and properly oriented toward the sun to generate electricity
F9/PACE: NASA confirms PACE is "power positive," meaning its solar panel is generating power as required; and with that, the PACE team will begin checking out the satellite's systems and gearing up to begin science operations
Falcon 9 B1081 RTLS landing at LZ-1.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=aiNl4D8ljWE
Congratulations to the entire launch campaign team! ❗️🎉🥳🚀
Thank you, NSF webcasters, for tonight's webcast! 🎖👏👍
Thank you, Steven and catdlr, for tonight's launch thread coverage! 🌟💐✨️
NASA webcast ends with launch replay.
Being downrange from a southern polar launch? 🤌
A view of the launch of PACE aboard a Falcon 9 from Florida...except 150 miles south. You can see the boostback as well as the reentry burn.
Then the rocket went right over my head.
See for yourself: https://youtube.com/watch?v=aiNl4D8ljWE
I was under the impression that even for a polar orbit SpaceX had to dog-leg around the Miami metropolitan rather than a direct overflight. Seems problematic. This flight path from NASA LSP is inconsistent with the one posted previously in this thread? Perhaps they are overgeneralizing?
Previous post from OneSpeed (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50059.msg2564629#msg2564629) along with his interpretation.
I was under the impression that even for a polar orbit SpaceX had to dog-leg around the Miami metropolitan rather than a direct overflight. Seems problematic. This flight path from NASA LSP is inconsistent with the one posted previously in this thread? Perhaps they are overgeneralizing?
Previous post from OneSpeed (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50059.msg2564629#msg2564629) along with his interpretation.
From the SpaceX webcast telemetry, PACE did as LSP suggested, and overflew the most populous areas of Florida. This does not mean that the instantaneous impact point (IIP) did the same. The IIP would have been south of those areas at all times that the spacecraft was over them.
However, I could not have predicted this ground track from the NGA notices, because of the orientation of the failed boostback burn area, which implied a booster flightpath further to the East. It will be interesting to see if this launch trajectory is repeated.
Are they correct about this Fact?? Might be the first for NASA but not for SpaceX. Is that right?QuotePACE is LSP’s first launch to polar orbit from the East Coast and it’s the first for NASA since 1960. Other launches to polar orbit have been from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Check out tonight's launch trajectory!
Fuel-rich: 9x
Tough night for a lot of cameras on the pad between the low temperatures and dew covering a lot of our gear.
But that doesn’t take away from how special PACE has felt as a whole - between the spacecraft itself and the incredible minds behind this mission, we are so lucky to be witnessing it all.
Godspeed, lil buddy!
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - youtube.com/live/aiNl4D8lj…
Falcon 9 launches the PACE spacecraft to a sun-synchronous orbit
terrible coverage by nasa
terrible coverage by nasaI prefer the NASA Media Channel coverage. No graphic overlays that hide what is happening and no repeating mindless scrolls that also hide what is happening.
terrible coverage by nasa
An added benefit, no "X" that suddenly stops working.
- Ed Kyle
Re: solar arrays… If they launch in the middle of the night, wont’t a sun synchronous orbit always keep it at night, so with no power most of the time?
It depends on equatorial crossing time. If it is at 6 am/6 pm, then it will always be in daylight.
If its later in the day, half the orbit will be in daylight and half will be in night.
Radar satellites typically use all daylight orbits, to get maximum power.
Visible/IR Earth observation satellites don't want long shadows, so they launch later in the day.
58928 PACE 2024-026A 98.34min 98.09deg 682km 677km
SpaceX recovery ship Bob arrived at Port Canaveral early this morning with both fairing halves from the PACE launch! 📸 nsf.live/spacecoast