Jim,
Didn't you mention that the integration will happen within the SpaceX facility ? If that takes 4-10 weeks, how can the spacecraft arrive only 2 weeks before the scheduled launch ?
Maybe they mean the spacecraft has to be onsite and ready for integration with the LV 2 weeks before the launch date.
This is interesting. I thought I read somewhere where SpaceX stated that they couldn't take more orders as their manifest was full for the next couple of years. Apparently this was incorrect.
commerical spacecraft take 4-10 weeks to prepare for launch and that doesn't include the two weeks with Spacex
How come an European built sattelite for Turkmenistan falls under US ITAR?
Does it contain any American hardware?
Yes.
How come an European built sattelite for Turkmenistan falls under US ITAR?
Does it contain any American hardware?Yes.So exports to Europe are OK despite ITAR?
commerical spacecraft take 4-10 weeks to prepare for launch and that doesn't include the two weeks with SpacexJim, I don't doubt your numbers, but I have a hard time imagining what the heck could take 10 weeks to prepare. Could you share an example or two of the sorts of lengthy things that have to be done?
Does anybody know what's going on with this satellite? Apparently the next launch for SpaceX after the dual comsat launch around early March will also be a GTO mission, and this one is the only one that fits the schedule.
It was mentioned to be one of two comsat launches for SpaceX in Q1 2015 as of Nov. 2014, and IIRC someone had saw it in final testing late last year at the TAS satellite facility in Cannes. I have also checked the satellite operator website and they are still saying Q1 2015 (SES, which leased 12 of 38 transponders, listed a TBD launch date).
So, is this flying in late March?
No way it's going up in March I think, not with two more missions to do before CRS-6 on April 8. But if Eutelsat and pad abort go off in Q1 as planned, then this could take the May slot which currently looks to be free, between CRS-6 and CRS-7.
Finally we got confirmation from the Turkmenistan government that this is flying in March, i.e. 3rd in lane right now.![]()
Russian source
In March of this year is scheduled to launch the first space satellite communication Turkmen "TurkmenAlem" (Turkmen universe).
Deputy Prime Minister Satlykov Satlykov supervising transport and communications, at a cabinet meeting to report on the preparatory work for the launch of the first Turkmen communications satellite.
Speaking about the importance of this launch, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the presence of its own communications satellite will accelerate the development of the country's communication systems, television and other industries.
Recall that initially launch the first Turkmen communications satellites planned in November 2014. At the end of November last year, Turkmenistan has officially announced the launch of transferring the first half of 2015.
Communications satellite "TurkmenAlem", built by the French company "Thales Alenia Space", is expected to bring the American carrier rocket Falcon 9 into geostationary orbit from Earth at a distance of approximately thirty-six thousand kilometers. After placing into Earth orbit communication satellite control will be carried out from the Control Center in the Akhal velayat, as well as backup control center in Dashoguz province (region in the north of Turkmenistan).
I'm hesitant to say anything until after DISCVR launches, but a conference call with China has derailed so....
Looking at what SpaceX is apparently trying to pull off and assuming:
1) DISCOVR launches on 2/10 or 2/11
2) Eutelsat launches on 2/28 or 3/1
3) Pad abort gets off by 3/6.
Then there are just over two weeks in the hangar to prep this flight, to launch on 3/21 or 3/22, to then leave two and a half weeks to 4/8 for CRS-6. A lot of IFs, and no room at all for slips. But hey, why not? It's a plan, until it isn't.