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

[QuantumG]

Like mounting the satellite in the fairing.

It is hasn't been loaded with prop yet

Does SpaceX do that? Or is that done elsewhere?

[Avron]

don't see this as possible....wouldn't it be too close to the launcher?

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9 and payload at a time, as we've seen in many pictures.

From what I've heard, both stages of the Falcon 9 for the Thaicom launch and the Thaicom satellite were in the hanger, right next to the launch pad, when today's flight launched.

I think Roy_H's question is merely whether or not they were "in the way" for rollback of the SES-8 flight. I don't think they were, but I haven't heard anything specific to that.

I don't think it would be too much of stretch to see the two cranes in the building lift the next F9 and allow the strong-back and launch platform to slide in underneath ,

[QuantumG]

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9

Only one booster there is no room for another

It occurs to me that I might be thinking of the Delta facility.

[Jim]

Does SpaceX do that? Or is that done elsewhere?

OSC does that in the hangar annex

[Avron]

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9

Only one booster there is no room for another

looks a little tight http://www.spacex.com/media-gallery/detail/90781/2556

[Jim]

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9

Only one booster there is no room for another

looks a little tight http://www.spacex.com/media-gallery/detail/90781/2556

The only place for a booster is on the rails in the center

[Robotbeat]

BTW, it occurs to me that all our previous musings about whether you could cram a bigger rocket in the current building were kind of missing the point... the buildings look like very inexpensive steel buildings, practically like metal tents. It may be inconvenient to rebuild them, but it shouldn't actually be that expensive. SpaceX wouldn't try to cram in another rocket into a small space, they'd either build another extension, another building, or rent another building for storage.

[Jcc]

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9

Only one booster there is no room for another

looks a little tight http://www.spacex.com/media-gallery/detail/90781/2556

The only place for a booster is on the rails in the center

OK, so where has the Thaicom rocket been for the past week, still on the semi, parked in the back?
After the Thanksgiving Day abort, reports were that the SES booster did not go back in the hangar, true?

[Avron]

BTW, it occurs to me that all our previous musings about whether you could cram a bigger rocket in the current building were kind of missing the point... the buildings look like very inexpensive steel buildings, practically like metal tents. It may be inconvenient to rebuild them, but it shouldn't actually be that expensive. SpaceX wouldn't try to cram in another rocket into a small space, they'd either build another extension, another building, or rent another building for storage.

well it looks like there is , two F9 in Florida at the same time, not the first time https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/203661395991076864/photo/1

[QuantumG]

BTW, it occurs to me that all our previous musings about whether you could cram a bigger rocket in the current building were kind of missing the point... the buildings look like very inexpensive steel buildings, practically like metal tents. It may be inconvenient to rebuild them, but it shouldn't actually be that expensive. SpaceX wouldn't try to cram in another rocket into a small space, they'd either build another extension, another building, or rent another building for storage.

well it looks like there is , two F9 in Florida at the same time, not the first time https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/203661395991076864/photo/1

Any idea how far away that facility is?

[Jim]

Any idea how far away that facility is?

That is the former Delta II facility which is not long enough for the V1.1 first stage

[Robotbeat]

BTW, it occurs to me that all our previous musings about whether you could cram a bigger rocket in the current building were kind of missing the point... the buildings look like very inexpensive steel buildings, practically like metal tents. It may be inconvenient to rebuild them, but it shouldn't actually be that expensive. SpaceX wouldn't try to cram in another rocket into a small space, they'd either build another extension, another building, or rent another building for storage.

well it looks like there is , two F9 in Florida at the same time, not the first time https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/203661395991076864/photo/1

Any idea how far away that facility is?

They can't use that facility for the new v1.1s, I hear. It's not /impossible/ that they just kept the other Falcon 9 outside... (perhaps in a temporary building?).

[Lars_J]

The hanger can hold more than one Falcon 9

Only one booster there is no room for another

looks a little tight http://www.spacex.com/media-gallery/detail/90781/2556

The only place for a booster is on the rails in the center

OK, so where has the Thaicom rocket been for the past week, still on the semi, parked in the back?
After the Thanksgiving Day abort, reports were that the SES booster did not go back in the hangar, true?

SpaceX might have acquired another storage building in the CCAFS area for F9v1.1 stages - padrat seemed to imply that.

[QuantumG]

Any idea how far away that facility is?

That is the former Delta II facility which is not long enough for the V1.1 first stage

Heh, the old memory wasn't too bad after all! So Jim, if not there, do ya know where the stages for this launch are being kept?

[Jim]

How long is the first stage?

[QuantumG]

How long is the first stage?

42.6 m, not including the interstage.

[Chris Bergin]

Need a Party Thread title for this one too.

[Jim]

How long is the first stage?

42.6 m, not including the interstage.

might be a tight fit

https://goo.gl/maps/8zAsQ

[Antares]

These "metal tents" have cranes in the ceiling, so they can't be metal tents.

Judging by the size of the first stage, it appears it could easily fit in the previous Delta building judging by photos and G-Maps, but G-Maps also shows there is not a lot of space around that building.  Long straight things don't turn on a dime.

Obvious choice for stage storage around there on G-Maps: the old Shuttle SRB hangar.

[QuantumG]

Need a Party Thread title for this one too.

Drum roll please....

Three Tons Of THC(OM)

No? Well, I thought it was more witty than my first thought:

Rocket Pad Thai