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#320
by
Robotbeat
on 22 Nov, 2010 03:33
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High inclination "Heavy" payloads have flow from the cape in the past. Lacrosse comes to mind.
The highest inclination orbit the Lacrosse flew out of the Cape was 57 degrees. Not even that different from ISS, at 51.6. Nothing close to polar orbit. What's the inclination of this launch? (it's GSO, so never mind)
STS-36 flew at an inclination of 62 degrees
Quite right, thanks!
Does anyone know the general direction this payload was headed? 28 degrees? Or higher? (no speculation needed, public info only, of course)
This one went to geostationary orbit, so it started out at liftoff with 28.5 degrees but then eventually altered inclination during the ascent and final orbital insert to reach GEO, 0 degrees. I'm not sure (it's late and I'm tired) if there was an intermediate Geostationary Transfer Orbit, but that's the norm. The upper stage can fire multiple times to get to GTO and then GEO and can also go direct to GEO with multiple firings (some consider that also stopping in GTO but for a shorter duration before heading to GEO). Specifics about specific postlaunch profile are speculative. The NRO representative I talked to tonight (briefly, of course) wouldn't give any details like that (again, of course).
Yeah, thought it was GEO (or probably first GTO, like you said). Just thought I'd ask to be sure.
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#321
by
landofgrey
on 22 Nov, 2010 04:31
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Here are a few more pictures of the launch. Not finished processing but here they are anyway. Taken from the water's edge next to the shuttle LC-39 viewing gantry at KSC. Mike Killian shot these for spaceflightnews.net (that's my informal credit lol).
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#322
by
landofgrey
on 22 Nov, 2010 04:35
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Yeah, thought it was GEO (or probably first GTO, like you said). Just thought I'd ask to be sure.
If the NRO was really cool, they'd dogleg one of these into polar orbit and screw us all up in our speculation. Okay, it's late and I'm still working with launch video, photo and the story to go with it.
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#323
by
landofgrey
on 22 Nov, 2010 04:47
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#324
by
landofgrey
on 22 Nov, 2010 04:50
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The charring was only on the first one. They fixed it long ago.
Very true. ULA reworked the launches so the orange insulation won't char black at launch. The white intertank insulation still peels away, but that's normal and not a problem. Insulation is only needed during fueling and the wait on the pad. When the insulation peels off, is enters the exhaust stream and causes the puffs/flares you see in the exhaust during ascent.
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#325
by
Chris Bergin
on 22 Nov, 2010 06:40
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Really good follow on with the videos and photos guys!
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#326
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 22 Nov, 2010 07:33
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Was it an optical illusion, or did the simulation inset window, showing the second stage engine, show the main engine bell briefly vector downwards sharply about 10 seconds after ignition?
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#327
by
butters
on 22 Nov, 2010 08:03
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Was it an optical illusion, or did the simulation inset window, showing the second stage engine, show the main engine bell briefly vector downwards sharply about 10 seconds after ignition?
I don't think would be so unusual. First stage guidance is often an open-loop gravity turn, and then the upper stage guidance is always closed-loop, usually with a flatter trajectory. So when closed-loop guidance kicks in after the upper stage recovers from the ignition transient, the first guidance correction is likely to be pitch down.
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#328
by
libs0n
on 22 Nov, 2010 14:06
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Given where engine prices have gone, I mentioned that a dual SSME CBC is worth an academic study at least (cost, structural mods, performance gain), especially if SLS raises the flight rate.
If you can reengine for SSME you can reengine for RD-180.
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#329
by
Herb Schaltegger
on 22 Nov, 2010 14:46
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Given where engine prices have gone, I mentioned that a dual SSME CBC is worth an academic study at least (cost, structural mods, performance gain), especially if SLS raises the flight rate.
If you can reengine for SSME you can reengine for RD-180.
Which would change the entire design of the vehicle, going from LH2 to RP1. Furthermore you'd end up with something that looks an awful lot like Atlas V.
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#330
by
Jim
on 22 Nov, 2010 14:48
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Given where engine prices have gone, I mentioned that a dual SSME CBC is worth an academic study at least (cost, structural mods, performance gain), especially if SLS raises the flight rate.
If you can reengine for SSME you can reengine for RD-180.
No, different tank sizes.
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#331
by
Lars_J
on 22 Nov, 2010 17:15
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Great launch - I missed it, but thanks for the links to video(s).
I assume the rendered image was driven by live telemetry - so my question is: Was the amount of thruster firing around 2nd stage ignition typical?
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#332
by
awalters
on 22 Nov, 2010 17:35
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Here is a pic from my remote camera, I guess about 200 feet away.
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#333
by
robertross
on 22 Nov, 2010 18:07
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Here is a pic from my remote camera, I guess about 200 feet away.
WICKED
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#334
by
Antares
on 22 Nov, 2010 18:34
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Given where engine prices have gone, I mentioned that a dual SSME CBC is worth an academic study at least (cost, structural mods, performance gain), especially if SLS raises the flight rate.
If you can reengine for SSME you can reengine for RD-180.
No, different tank sizes.
Also significantly different propellant masses - rho-g-h of LH2 is a lot more benign than rho-g-h of RP1.
BTW, sweet, sweet collection of pics and videos here, fellows. Great coverage.
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#335
by
ascendent
on 22 Nov, 2010 18:56
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maybe someone could photoshop Orion and LAS onto a few of these images...some of us are hoping we actually see that...and after the excitement surrounding these Heavy launches, I'll bet more than a few folks are thinking about the potential here.
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#336
by
edkyle99
on 22 Nov, 2010 19:12
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maybe someone could photoshop Orion and LAS onto a few of these images...some of us are hoping we actually see that...and after the excitement surrounding these Heavy launches, I'll bet more than a few folks are thinking about the potential here.
Lockheed Martin among that number.
http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/explore01.html - Ed Kyle
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#337
by
2552
on 22 Nov, 2010 19:20
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maybe someone could photoshop Orion and LAS onto a few of these images...some of us are hoping we actually see that...and after the excitement surrounding these Heavy launches, I'll bet more than a few folks are thinking about the potential here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simcosmos/4013284353/
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#338
by
alexw
on 22 Nov, 2010 19:23
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maybe someone could photoshop Orion and LAS onto a few of these images...some of us are hoping we actually see that...and after the excitement surrounding these Heavy launches, I'll bet more than a few folks are thinking about the potential here.
Lockheed Martin among that number. http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/explore01.html
"The rationale for using Delta IV Heavy is, essentially, that it exists." -- Ed
A very-stuffed nutshell.
(Though I'd want to hear the cost estimate to fly Atlas 5H1 or 5H2!)
-Alex
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#339
by
mike robel
on 22 Nov, 2010 19:29
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Well, here are my models.
