SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Jason 3 - SLC-4E Vandenberg - Jan 17, 2016 - DISCUSSION

[Chris Bergin]

Realigned the thread title for the latest NET.

[guckyfan]

Do we assume that tent will have to be gone befor January 17? I assume that until proven wrong.

[meekGee]

Do we assume that tent will have to be gone befor January 17? I assume that until proven wrong.

The tent looked pretty long-term.  From seeing it, I assumed the west coast launch will be to a barge.

[Johnnyhinbos]

The 'tent' structure is on the landing complex. So perhaps they will opt for a barge landing and keep the tent up for whatever nefarious activity is going on under it...

[JamesH]

MCT/BFR mockup/launch party. That's my guess.

[whitelancer64]

MCT/BFR mockup/launch party. That's my guess.

Much more likely that it was/is for construction, possibly keeping the sun off of the concrete as it dries to control the conditions it cures in as much as possible.

Do we assume that tent will have to be gone befor January 17? I assume that until proven wrong.

The tent looked pretty long-term.  From seeing it, I assumed the west coast launch will be to a barge.

It looked very temporary to me, it was attached to shipping containers that were resting on railroad ties.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Don't think it's to do with construction for a variety of reasons, all discussed on the vandy thread. Plus user Helodriver posted this:

"Was out on base yesterday at SLC-4. The tent is complete, covering the central section of the future landing area.

Conversation with pad personnel confirmed its most definitely not for SpaceX's Christmas party. "

A statement like that does not lead one to believe it's concrete work...

[Lars-J]

Don't think it's to do with construction for a variety of reasons, all discussed on the vandy thread. Plus user Helodriver posted this:

"Was out on base yesterday at SLC-4. The tent is complete, covering the central section of the future landing area.

Conversation with pad personnel confirmed its most definitely not for SpaceX's Christmas party. "

A statement like that does not lead one to believe it's concrete work...

The most likely explanation has always been that it is a temporary cover for work on pieces for the new FH capable transporter/erector. They can't work on it inside the hangar when preparations for Jason-3 are ongoing.

[meekGee]

MCT/BFR mockup/launch party. That's my guess.

Much more likely that it was/is for construction, possibly keeping the sun off of the concrete as it dries to control the conditions it cures in as much as possible.

Do we assume that tent will have to be gone befor January 17? I assume that until proven wrong.

The tent looked pretty long-term.  From seeing it, I assumed the west coast launch will be to a barge.

It looked very temporary to me, it was attached to shipping containers that were resting on railroad ties.

To quantify...  By "Pretty long term" I meant a few months, or easily past the next launch

[llanitedave]

Judging from previous dropped hints, I'm going to guess it's for a presentation/announcement following a successful RTF.

[wannamoonbase]

Don't think it's to do with construction for a variety of reasons, all discussed on the vandy thread. Plus user Helodriver posted this:

"Was out on base yesterday at SLC-4. The tent is complete, covering the central section of the future landing area.

Conversation with pad personnel confirmed its most definitely not for SpaceX's Christmas party. "

A statement like that does not lead one to believe it's concrete work...

The most likely explanation has always been that it is a temporary cover for work on pieces for the new FH capable transporter/erector. They can't work on it inside the hangar when preparations for Jason-3 are ongoing.

Agreed, it's a hard large flat surface.  The weather, both temperatures and moisture at VAFB doesn't warrant that type of protection.

[Kabloona]

Judging from previous dropped hints, I'm going to guess it's for a presentation/announcement following a successful RTF.

Why would they do that 3,000 miles away from the site of the RTF?

[Johnnyhinbos]

Judging from previous dropped hints, I'm going to guess it's for a presentation/announcement following a successful RTF.

Why would they do that 3,000 miles away from the site of the RTF?

Which is closer to Hawthorne...? You don't make a big (huge) big picture announcement when your last launch ended in an explosion...

[mme]

Judging from previous dropped hints, I'm going to guess it's for a presentation/announcement following a successful RTF.

Why would they do that 3,000 miles away from the site of the RTF?

And remote from Hawthorne, where they made other announcements.  And it's really far from the major airports and population centers in CA.  And it's on an Air Force Base.  It's a logistically horrible place to host an event.

[Prober]

Judging from previous dropped hints, I'm going to guess it's for a presentation/announcement following a successful RTF.

Why would they do that 3,000 miles away from the site of the RTF?

whatever it is security is assured on an afb; and look how they handled any new pics coming out of VAFB

[Chris Bergin]

Spacecraft mating with the F9 today!

https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2015/12/14/engineers-attaching-jason-3-spacecraft-to-falcon-9-rocket/?linkId=19578847

[Steven Pietrobon]

That also gives the launch time as 10:42:18 a.m. PST (18:42:18 UTC).

[rower2000]

That also gives the launch time as 10:42:18 a.m. PST (18:42:18 UTC).

Given the accuracy of that time, I take it as an instantaneous window?

[ZachS09]

Correct

[Chris Bergin]

December 17, 2015
MEDIA ADVISORY M30-15
NOAA’s Jason-3 Spacecraft Ready for Launch

The launch of Jason-3, an international mission led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to continue U.S.- European satellite measurements of the topography of the ocean surfaces, is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016.  Liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 4 East is targeted for 10:42:18 a.m. PST (1:42:18 p.m. EST) at the opening of a 30-second launch window. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on the Western Range on Jan. 18 at 10:31:04 a.m. PST (1:31:04 p.m. EST).

Jason-3 will maintain the ability to monitor and precisely measure global sea surface heights, monitor the intensification of tropical cyclones and support seasonal and coastal forecasts. Data from Jason-3 will support scientific, commercial and practical applications related to ocean circulation and climate change.  Additionally, Jason-3 data will be applied to fisheries management, marine industries and research into human impacts on the world’s oceans.

The mission is planned to last at least three years with a goal of five years.

Jason-3 is a four-agency international partnership consisting of NOAA, NASA, the French Space Agency CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales), and EUMETSAT (the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites). Thales Alenia of France built the spacecraft.

NOAA in collaboration with the international European partners is responsible for the Jason-3 mission. JPL is responsible for NASA Jason-3 project management. NASA’s Launch Services Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida provides launch management. SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, is NASA’s launch service provider of the Falcon 9 rocket.

ACCREDITATION

News media desiring accreditation for the prelaunch and launch activities for Jason-3 should contact:

Tech. Sgt. Tyrona Lawson
30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California 93437