SpaceX F9 : RCM (RADARSAT) : Vandenberg : June 12, 2019 - DISCUSSION

[Chris Bergin]

Launch dates are always fluid, but with CSA holding to June 11 on its NET for RADARSAT, we're going to class that as the NET and see what happens with the Static Fire date, which at one point was June 12, thus some confusion. A wait and see situation, but NET June 11 launch date.

[ZachS09]

Do we know if the booster will be landing at LZ-4?

Or will it need the drone ship using any of these methods:

Near-shore (as seen in Spaceflight SSO-A)
Highly lofted (as seen in FORMOSAT 5)
Regular partial boostback (as seen in Iridium-NEXT and Jason 3)

[Alexphysics]

Do we know if the booster will be landing at LZ-4?

Or will it need the drone ship using any of these methods:

Near-shore (as seen in Spaceflight SSO-A)
Highly lofted (as seen in FORMOSAT 5)
Regular partial boostback (as seen in Iridium-NEXT and Jason 3)

Landing at LZ-4 is expected given the FCC permits. If they are going to change the landing method, we'll know.

[DaveJes1979]

I might drive out to see this launch.  There are very few F9 launches manifested for Vandenberg, looks like no more until 2020.

Howeer, the forecast is showing cloudy for both Tuesday (22th) and Wednesday.

[Rondaz]

SpaceX Falcon 9 and $1B satellite trio set for first California launch in months

By Eric Ralph Posted on June 5, 2019

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-readies-falcon-9-radarsat-california-launch/

[RocketLover0119]

I know the sats individually weigh around 475 kg, but was wondering what the weight of the dispenser was?

[gongora]

I know the sats individually weigh around 475 kg, but was wondering what the weight of the dispenser was?

The individual sats are 1430kg.  The dispenser is probably fairly heavy for its size, it tilts the satellites away from each other for deployment.

[Draggendrop]

Posting this for the image...

https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1136786523377025025

Toronto Star article
Next generation Canadian satellites set to launch next week in California
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/06/04/next-generation-canadian-satellites-set-to-launch-next-week-in-california.html

snip

"The three satellites will be launched into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The satellites, which will use radar to locate ships, monitor ecosystems and keep an eye on the Arctic, among other tasks, are part of a government-owned mission.

The trio will replace the RADARSAT-2 satellite, which has been in orbit since 2007. It was designed to last seven years, but is still operating while Constellation has been delayed."

snip

"They will be operated from a control centre at the Canadian Space Agency just south of Montreal with a back-up control facility in Ottawa."

Image caption...

MDA's President Mike Greenley is seen in front of one of three RADARSAT Constellation Mission spacecrafts being built for the Canadian Space Agency on Tuesday January 30, 2018. The trio will replace the RADARSAT-2 satellite, which has been in orbit since 2007.  RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

[Draggendrop]

https://twitter.com/NRCan/status/1136363591651745792

I just posted this as an alternate live stream of the launch.

(I would imagine most will be on the SpaceX feed...but it is a backup)

[hootowls]

I might drive out to see this launch.  There are very few F9 launches manifested for Vandenberg, looks like no more until 2020.

Howeer, the forecast is showing cloudy for both Tuesday (22th) and Wednesday.

This is an LZ-4 landing mission.  Roadblocks will be in place on Floradale Ave at both West Ocean Ave and West Central Ave.

[DaveJes1979]

This is an LZ-4 landing mission.  Roadblocks will be in place on Floradale Ave at both West Ocean Ave and West Central Ave.

For the last F9 launch (and landing) I was on Ocean Ave, and they pushed us  back to Union Sugar Avenue, not Floradale (quite a bit further east).  Hopefully they will reconsider this policy, once landings become routine and considered safe (it is, indeed, objectively safe, since a failure means the rocket crashes in the ocean).  For all other launches I have attended from South Base pads, you could drive all the way up to the South Base gate (at Arguello/13th) and park in the parking lot.

Weather Underground says it will be partly cloudy on Wednesday.  55 F and 3mph wind at 7 a.m.  Since it is June, I worry about the area being socked in by fog at that time of the morning.

[Roy_H]

It looks like to me that the static fire is with payload. Is this the first time (for non SpaceX) since the Amos 6 disaster in 2016?

[gongora]

It looks like to me that the static fire is with payload. Is this the first time (for non SpaceX) since the Amos 6 disaster in 2016?

When I look at the picture in the update thread I don't see a payload attached?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48225.msg1954688#msg1954688

[Scylla]

It looks like to me that the static fire is with payload. Is this the first time (for non SpaceX) since the Amos 6 disaster in 2016?

When I look at the picture in the update thread I don't see a payload attached?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48225.msg1954688#msg1954688

Sure looks like someting is on top of the interstage.

[FlattestEarth]

Sure looks like someting is on top of the interstage.

Of course second stage is attached but if the fairing was attached it would be taller than the TE.

[gongora]

It looks like to me that the static fire is with payload. Is this the first time (for non SpaceX) since the Amos 6 disaster in 2016?

When I look at the picture in the update thread I don't see a payload attached?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48225.msg1954688#msg1954688

Sure looks like someting is on top of the interstage.

Static fires are done with the second stage attached.

[DaveJes1979]

Well, just got this disappointing news from the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office (via Brian Webb, dated to 6/6):

"The roadblock normally established at 13th Street on Ocean Avenue will be relocated to Floradale Avenue and Ocean Avenue. A secondary roadblock will also be established at Floradale Avenue and Central Avenue. Additional temporary traffic control measures may be implemented on local roadways to safely expedite expected traffic."

That pushes the roadblock an additional 2-3 miles east of the previous (SAOCOM 1A in October 2018) roadblock at Ocean and Union Sugar Ave.  This has gotten ridiculous.

The distance from the SLC-4 launch site to the South Gate (the aforementioned Ocean and 13th) is 3.8 miles, normally I have been able to observe F9 launches from there.  Even during the SAOCOM 1A launch+landing I was 4.5 miles away at Ocean Ave and Union Sugar Ave (4.7 miles to the landing pad).  If they are really pushing everything back to Ocean and Floradale, that makes it 6.7 miles (7.0 miles to landing pad).

This reeks of bureaucratic ignorance and disinterest.  In KSC, the press site is 3.0 miles from F9/FHeavy launches.  I'm not sure how close people can get to the landing zones, but the landings are probably safer than launches (if they fail they end up in the drink, as we have seen).

Oh, and for reference, if you are going to see an Atlas V launch at the South Gate, you are only 2.5 miles from the pad.

[Draggendrop]

Nice animation...

https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1137705976491102208

[rpapo]

Nice animation...

Too bad it showed it launching from Florida rather than California...

[JonathanD]

Well, just got this disappointing news from the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office (via Brian Webb, dated to 6/6):

"The roadblock normally established at 13th Street on Ocean Avenue will be relocated to Floradale Avenue and Ocean Avenue. A secondary roadblock will also be established at Floradale Avenue and Central Avenue. Additional temporary traffic control measures may be implemented on local roadways to safely expedite expected traffic."

That pushes the roadblock an additional 2-3 miles east of the previous (SAOCOM 1A in October 2018) roadblock at Ocean and Union Sugar Ave.  This has gotten ridiculous.

The distance from the SLC-4 launch site to the South Gate (the aforementioned Ocean and 13th) is 3.8 miles, normally I have been able to observe F9 launches from there.  Even during the SAOCOM 1A launch+landing I was 4.5 miles away at Ocean Ave and Union Sugar Ave (4.7 miles to the landing pad).  If they are really pushing everything back to Ocean and Floradale, that makes it 6.7 miles (7.0 miles to landing pad).

This reeks of bureaucratic ignorance and disinterest.  In KSC, the press site is 3.0 miles from F9/FHeavy launches.  I'm not sure how close people can get to the landing zones, but the landings are probably safer than launches (if they fail they end up in the drink, as we have seen).

Oh, and for reference, if you are going to see an Atlas V launch at the South Gate, you are only 2.5 miles from the pad.

Bummer.  I have been thinking about driving up from OC to see a Vandy launch but was waiting for RTLS for some sonic boom love.  Under the above scenario, where you do think the "best" viewing location left would be?