-
#40
by
QuantumG
on 21 Nov, 2013 04:28
-
-
#41
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 04:44
-
Oh! Keep an eye on those links folks. I've got to get a quick nap in. William's mega article is ready, but I've gone post launch on the article in readiness of written confirmation, but we may have visuals now!
-
#42
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 21 Nov, 2013 04:52
-
Any launch timeline available?
-
#43
by
QuantumG
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:00
-
7:10 UTC, 2:10 EST.
-
#44
by
QuantumG
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:04
-
That second feed has up..
-
#45
by
osiossim
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:16
-
+1 hour to lift off.
I am amazed by the size and the capacity of Ecudorian control center for the cubesat.
-
#46
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:37
-
+1 hour to lift off.
I am amazed by the size and the capacity of Ecudorian control center for the cubesat.
Looks like they've been watching one too many SpaceX webcasts, as that's a bit like MCC-X!
-
#47
by
tehwkd
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:42
-
-
#48
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:46
-
Any launch timeline available?
From Williams article that will go on at launch:
The first stage's four RD-263 engines will ignite with the rocket in mid-air at around 20 metres (66 feet) altitude. On at least one R-36 test flight the first stage failed to ignite, resulting in the rocket falling back into the silo and exploding. Once the engines are burning a set of rings which attach to the outside of the vehicle will break in halves and separate.
The first stage will burn for around 98 seconds before it burns out and separates. Approximately six seconds after staging the second stage will ignite, burning its RD-0255 engine for 168 seconds. The forward section of the payload fairing will separate during this burn. Once the second stage burns out it will be jettisoned, with the third stage reorienting itself to fly backwards.
The third stage of the Dnepr was derived from the Post-Boost Module developed for the R-36 missile. Originally designed to fine-tune the trajectories of multiple independently-targeted warheads, the unit has its engines mounted facing forwards. To protect the satellites from the exhaust of the RD-869 engine, the rocket is fitted with a Gas Dynamic Shield, which covers the payloads until shortly before spacecraft separation. The third stage is not restartable, so to avoid leaving debris in the same orbit as the payload spacecraft separation occurs while the engine is still burning, with the satellites being ejected from the back of the stage.
-
#49
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:46
-
T-25 mins.
-
#50
by
jcm
on 21 Nov, 2013 05:53
-
Any launch timeline available?
From Williams article that will go on at launch:
The first stage's four RD-263 engines will ignite with the rocket in mid-air at around 20 metres (66 feet) altitude. On at least one R-36 test flight the first stage failed to ignite, resulting in the rocket falling back into the silo and exploding. Once the engines are burning a set of rings which attach to the outside of the vehicle will break in halves and separate.
The first stage will burn for around 98 seconds before it burns out and separates. Approximately six seconds after staging the second stage will ignite, burning its RD-0255 engine for 168 seconds. The forward section of the payload fairing will separate during this burn. Once the second stage burns out it will be jettisoned, with the third stage reorienting itself to fly backwards.
The third stage of the Dnepr was derived from the Post-Boost Module developed for the R-36 missile. Originally designed to fine-tune the trajectories of multiple independently-targeted warheads, the unit has its engines mounted facing forwards. To protect the satellites from the exhaust of the RD-869 engine, the rocket is fitted with a Gas Dynamic Shield, which covers the payloads until shortly before spacecraft separation. The third stage is not restartable, so to avoid leaving debris in the same orbit as the payload spacecraft separation occurs while the engine is still burning, with the satellites being ejected from the back of the stage.
Based on previous missions the GDS will separate about 16 min after launch, so 0726 UTC.
The big satellites on Platform A (Dubaisat, Unisat, Skysat,?) will separate, then Platform A will be jettisoned, then
the smaller satellites on the lower deck of the final stage (Aprizesats?, cubesats) will be deployed.
I don't have a detailed timeline, and I haven't managed to confidently identify which satellites are on the upper and which on the lower deck. Previous launches used as little as 2 seconds interval between deployments so it could
all be over by 0728 UTC or so.
-
#51
by
jcm
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:06
-
ZACUBE-1/ZA-003 given the name Tshepiso Satellite ('Promise') - not sure I got the name right, it went off the top of the screen quickly, did anyone catch it?
-
#52
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:08
-
120 seconds ish!
-
#53
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:12
-
There it goes!!! LAUNCH!!
-
#54
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:12
-
-
#55
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:12
-
-
#56
by
sdsds
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:12
-
-
#57
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:13
-
-
#58
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:15
-
-
#59
by
Chris Bergin
on 21 Nov, 2013 06:17
-
Staging.
Upper Stage doing its funny reserve flying.