SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Thaicom 6 - DISCUSSION THREAD

[Jakusb]

I could not find any thread about the Thaicom 6 launch yet. It is supposed to be the flight after SES-8 and before the OrbComm OG2 launch.

See
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15134.msg1063398#msg1063398

With components for SES-8 already mentioned being moved to Test location (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/spacexs-falcon-9-v1-1-begins-arrive-california/)  I would expect some possible questions could be asked about the components required for the Thaicom 6 launch.

What is the actual construction time required for just one launch? Are engines being build as we speak, or already near completion? etc..

Just curious.. If September launches go well, this launch will be next..


Other threads for Thaicom 6:
SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Thaicom-6 - NET Jan 6, 2014 - UPDATE THREAD
SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Thaicom-6 - January 6 - LAUNCH UPDATES
SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1/Thaicom-6 Pad Thai Party Thread

[Ben the Space Brit]

Interesting that Thaicom-6 has a provisional date when SES-8 does not.  Early indicator of a slip for the latter or even a move to a different LV?

[Hominans Kosmos]

Can't tell where that's coming from, but the latest article suggests Thaicom 6 is planned for Nov/Dec:

SpaceX hopes to conduct two more launches before the end of 2013, with a pair geostationary communications satellites scheduled to fly on separate Falcon 9 v1.1s from Cape Canaveral in the next few months.

The first launch, with the SES-8 satellite for European satellite operator SES, is currently expected to occur no earlier than 23 October, with the second launch carrying Thaicom-6, manifested for late November or December.

Would be great to see this venture to GTO.

[input~2]

From Thaicom Financial Statement posted Aug 8, 2013

The launcher of Thaicom 6, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), informed that due to delay in the launch of a satellite ahead in the line, Thaicom 6’s launch schedule will unavoidably be shifted, possibly until late of the third quarter or in the fourth quarter of this year.

[Ben the Space Brit]

SES-8 has been given a NET of 1st November, so Thaicom-6 has got to be an early December NET now, at the most optimistic.

[kevin-rf]

Personally, If all goes well with SES-8 I suspect there will not be much holding back Thaicom-6. It will be interesting to see how much the failed restart actually holds back SES-8. None of the usual suspects have weighed in on how long they believe the delay will actually be.

[laika_fr]

Agreed,
 wouldn't be surprised if Elon picks-up Dec 1st as NET, to prove he can do it within a month.
And once the market is pleased, he'll have free hands to take care of his beloved CRS-3.

[Joffan]

Note over in the general Falcon discussion there was a picture of Thaicom's first stage en route to Macgregor.

Via Twitter/Instagram, several days ago, presumably near Hawthorne. I wonder if this is the F9-08 first stage on its way to Texas.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32982.0;attach=546688

That is F9S1-8 heading east on Jack Northrop immediately after departing the factory.

[laika_fr]

The stage test is already scheduled, spacex seems to be really hitting the gas.

http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/joe_science/spacex-alert-loud-test-as-soon-as-saturday/article_a166ada8-2c86-11e3-9180-001a4bcf887a.html

[beancounter]

The stage test is already scheduled, spacex seems to be really hitting the gas.

http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/joe_science/spacex-alert-loud-test-as-soon-as-saturday/article_a166ada8-2c86-11e3-9180-001a4bcf887a.html

Well they need to in order to clear up their backlog and get into their manifest.

[Wetmelon]

according to an individual on reddit who lives near the McGregor test site, the first stage was likely fired around 9 p.m. This evening. Does anybody else know about that or have any information?

[Lars_J]

Well they need to in order to clear up their backlog and get into their manifest.

Yes, and if I got a quarter for every time someone posted just that, I'd be a rich man. This is the equivalent of posting "the sky is blue" every day.

[kevin-rf]

It's blue today

[Chris Bergin]

Per L2's SpaceX Section. NET now December 12. Relation to SES-8 slip.

Article later.

[Ben the Space Brit]

What's interesting for me is that there is now a number on the front of the month; that means the schedule for SLC-40 is firming up.

[laika_fr]

Agreed,
 wouldn't be surprised if Elon picks-up Dec 1st as NET, to prove he can do it within a month.
And once the market is pleased, he'll have free hands to take care of his beloved CRS-3.

What was i saying ? Nov12 => Dec12,  let's roll Elon !

[mlindner]

Agreed,
 wouldn't be surprised if Elon picks-up Dec 1st as NET, to prove he can do it within a month.
And once the market is pleased, he'll have free hands to take care of his beloved CRS-3.

What was i saying ? Nov12 => Dec12,  let's roll Elon !

Isn't there an Orbcomm launch after Thaicom before CRS-3? The manifest hasn't been updated, but because of the CRS-3 bump, wouldn't the order of launches change?

[Lars_J]

Agreed,
 wouldn't be surprised if Elon picks-up Dec 1st as NET, to prove he can do it within a month.
And once the market is pleased, he'll have free hands to take care of his beloved CRS-3.

What was i saying ? Nov12 => Dec12,  let's roll Elon !

Isn't there an Orbcomm launch after Thaicom before CRS-3? The manifest hasn't been updated, but because of the CRS-3 bump, wouldn't the order of launches change?

Unless CRS-3 slips significantly (for non-F9 reason), CRS-3 is next in line after Thaicom.

[Prober]

Ok Chris, we will need some more launch party threads.

[Chris Bergin]

Article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-realign-falcon-9-missions/