SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : DISCUSSION

[titusou]

I'm seeing 2 different mass info regarding Formosat-5...

475kg <- from Taiwan NSPO website
525kg <- mostly from 2010~2015 report

I let you know if I find out

Titus

[Eagandale4114]

I'm seeing 2 different mass info regarding Formosat-5...

475kg <- from Taiwan NSPO website
525kg <- mostly from 2010~2015 report

I let you know if I find out

Titus

Could the two weights be the dry and wet weights for the satellite?

[Tomness]

Did this mission originally have the Sherpa payload? They still not able to launch the rest of the small sats  on this mission?

[old_sellsword]

Did this mission originally have the Sherpa payload? They still not able to launch the rest of the small sats  on this mission?

Spaceflight has already rebooked all the SHERPA passengers on other launches.

http://spacenews.com/spacex-delays-force-spaceflight-to-find-alternative-launches/

[smfarmer11]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

[shooter6947]

Does anyone know what the holdup is for RTLS landings at Vandenberg?  This launch should be capable of it if any would be.  Is it hardware, or paperwork, or what?

[ZachS09]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

Why would it be a terrible waste for a ~500 kg payload to fly solo on Falcon 9? It's better than nothing at all.

[wannamoonbase]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

Why would it be a terrible waste for a ~500 kg payload to fly solo on Falcon 9? It's better than nothing at all.

Agreed, SpaceX doesn't seem to have a problem with it, and they will be recovering the booster. 

Just working their way through the manifest!

[acsawdey]

Does anyone know what the holdup is for RTLS landings at Vandenberg?  This launch should be capable of it if any would be.  Is it hardware, or paperwork, or what?

I think the last paperwork I found was this:

Looks like SpaceX has now got the all-clear to do both ASDS and RTLS from SLC-4W at Vandenberg AFB. Or, at least they've cleared the environmental hurdles and can now ask FAA for licenses to do so.

After reviewing and analyzing available data and information on existing conditions and potential
impacts, including the 2016 EA, the FAA has determined the issuance of licenses to SpaceX to conduct
Falcon 9 boost-backs and landings at SLC-4W or on a barge would not significantly affect the quality of
the human environment within the meaning of NEPA. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental
impact statement is not required, and the FAA is independently issuing this FONSI. The FAA has made
this determination in accordance with applicable environmental laws and FAA regulations. The 2016 EA
is incorporated by reference into this FONSI.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/media/ea_fonsi_f9_boostback_vafb.pdf

Jim then suggested they still need USAF approval, but I don't know what other agencies may also be involved.

[solartear]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

Seems to me like a great opportunity for SpaceX second stage re-entry experiments.

[AncientU]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

Seems to me like a great opportunity for SpaceX second stage re-entry experiments.

Or fly a couple demo sats for ConnX

[Herb Schaltegger]

So is this satellite flying solo? If so that seems a terrible waste.

Seems to me like a great opportunity for SpaceX second stage re-entry experiments.

Or fly a couple demo sats for ConnX

Not without FCC approval.

[titusou]

I'm seeing 2 different mass info regarding Formosat-5...

475kg <- from Taiwan NSPO website
525kg <- mostly from 2010~2015 report

I let you know if I find out

Titus

Could the two weights be the dry and wet weights for the satellite?

Confirmed with NSPO:
525kg was original plan mass
475kg is the launch mission mass

This probably the lightest mission for any Falcon9 flight ever?


Titus

[Skyrocket]

I'm seeing 2 different mass info regarding Formosat-5...

475kg <- from Taiwan NSPO website
525kg <- mostly from 2010~2015 report

I let you know if I find out

Titus

Could the two weights be the dry and wet weights for the satellite?

Confirmed with NSPO:
525kg was original plan mass
475kg is the launch mission mass

This probably the lightest mission for any Falcon9 flight ever?


Titus

NASA's TESS will be even lighter with only 350 kg, but it will launch into a highly elliptical orbit reaching out to 59 earth radii.

[whitelancer64]

TESS is tiny.

[Skyrocket]

TESS is tiny.

The point for launching tiny TESS on a F9 is, that an off-the-shelve F9 can launch it to its unique orbit, while other smaller launchers would need a mission specific upper stage, which would raise the cost.

[abaddon]

Cassiope was 500kg and 180x125 cm, so in the ballpark.

[IanThePineapple]

Well, CASSIOPE was to be launched on a Falcon 1, but with the F1 cancellation it was moved to a F9.

[IanThePineapple]

Does anyone know what the holdup is for RTLS landings at Vandenberg?  This launch should be capable of it if any would be.  Is it hardware, or paperwork, or what?

I'm pretty sure LZ-2 is close to completion or is completion, but FAA permits are the main factor I think.

[abaddon]

Well, CASSIOPE was to be launched on a Falcon 1, but with the F1 cancellation it was moved to a F9.

Exactly, same (almost certainly) as Formosat: http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=0b263a34-442d-4cab-b38a-108193a6f93e.

SpaceX doesn't seem to ever have specified a launch vehicle, but when the contract was announced it was stated as launching from Kwajalein.