SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1/Thaicom-6 Pad Thai Party Thread

[AJW]

Ok, now public about the date we've had in L2....but it's still fluid, so don't go booking trips just yet.

http://www.patrick.af.mil/

Launch Vehicle/Mission: Falcon 9/Thaicom 6
Date: Jan. 3, 2014 (Their site says 2013, but that's a typo that can happen a lot this time of year!)
Launch Window: 5:57 p.m. - 7:23 p.m. EST
Pad: SLC-40
Launch Hazard Area period
Airspace Closure Areas

WooHoo!  What a way to start the new year!

[Avron]

Ok, now public about the date we've had in L2....but it's still fluid, so don't go booking trips just yet.

http://www.patrick.af.mil/

Launch Vehicle/Mission: Falcon 9/Thaicom 6
Date: Jan. 3, 2014 (Their site says 2013, but that's a typo that can happen a lot this time of year!)
Launch Window: 5:57 p.m. - 7:23 p.m. EST
Pad: SLC-40
Launch Hazard Area period
Airspace Closure Areas

WooHoo!  What a way to start the new year!

And one month from the last launch..

[rickyramjet]

Seems like this Thai energy drink is what this thread needs!

[hpras]

They should launch at the same time and have a race.

I expect SpaceX to delay the Thaicom launch until the day after the Cygnus launch, then Cygnus to scrub.

Ya know, for maximum nail biting.

Neck and neck, photo finish.

[Wetmelon]

Seems like this Thai energy drink is what this thread needs!

Oh God.  Why didn't you post this in the name picking thread!?

[411rocket]

Seems like this Thai energy drink is what this thread needs!

Oh God.  Why didn't you post this in the name picking thread!?

Maybe, because Thaicom is not launching on a F9 v1.0, where more energy was needed. 

[rickyramjet]

Seems like this Thai energy drink is what this thread needs!

Oh God.  Why didn't you post this in the name picking thread!?

Only just discovered this, quite by accident, some friends on vacation in Thailand posted pics of supermarket food.. there it was.  But, maybe I should let Elon know.  Maybe he can top off the tanks with this stuff.  You know, to clean the spark plugs!

[Andrewwski]

Landing in MCO at 4:15 pm on Friday.  With enough luck I can get out to Port Canaveral by launch time.  Fingers crossed!

[Lars_J]

Landing in MCO at 4:15 pm on Friday.  With enough luck I can get out to Port Canaveral by launch time.  Fingers crossed!

If not, you should still see it, even from Orlando. (if the weather is as clear as during SES-8) Have the livestream going on your phone as you drive, so you can pull over and watch when it happens - should you be too late.

[Ben the Space Brit]

Well, looks like everything's ready for next Friday now! Here's hoping for a nominal pad flow and a completely routine launch (anyone in the business will tell you that's the best kind)!

[Andrewwski]

Landing in MCO at 4:15 pm on Friday.  With enough luck I can get out to Port Canaveral by launch time.  Fingers crossed!

If not, you should still see it, even from Orlando. (if the weather is as clear as during SES-8) Have the livestream going on your phone as you drive, so you can pull over and watch when it happens - should you be too late.

Yep, that's the plan!  Would really like get a clear view though.

[Wetmelon]

Anyone else excited?  I'm excited.  *\o/* Pom poms!!

Also, if you guys haven't seen it yet, one of the reddit mods made this: http://spacexstats.com/

Completely with countdown timer that can be Chromecast or w/e you want: http://spacexstats.com/mission.php?mission_id=13

[Mader Levap]

Also, if you guys haven't seen it yet, one of the reddit mods made this: http://spacexstats.com/

Very nice page! Some comments:
Success rate should have also stats for Merlin 1C. This is rather large omission.
Dragon missions: In "Cargo" needed count of cargo missions, needed "Crew" option, obviously for now with 0. I wonder if kg count for crew is neccessairly needed.
Launches from X: maybe additional first option informing about count of launchpads?
Grasshopper flights should have selection for total (sum of GH1 and GH2), GH1 and GH2.
Quickest turnaround needs options: "in general" and "from same launchpad".

[docmordrid]

I have a friend who'll be in the area this weekend and he's wondering about viewing the launch. Any ideas, temporary traffic issues to warn him about etc.?

[Antares]

Also, if you guys haven't seen it yet, one of the reddit mods made this: http://spacexstats.com/

Any citations for the M1D operating time?  That one suggests access behind the curtain. 

[Jason1701]

Also, if you guys haven't seen it yet, one of the reddit mods made this: http://spacexstats.com/

Any citations for the M1D operating time?  That one suggests access behind the curtain. 

I think it's just the product of first stage flight time and number of engines. The actual M1D operating time is probably an order of magnitude more.

[dutch courage]

Say, is this Thaicom-6 launch hush hush? There's nothing on the SpaceX's public/social media sites on it...

[smoliarm]

Say, is this Thaicom-6 launch hush hush? There's nothing on the SpaceX's public/social media sites on it...

Taicom makes no secret of it:
http://www.thaicom.net/files/attch/8/770/770_023en.pdf

[Wetmelon]

Also, if you guys haven't seen it yet, one of the reddit mods made this: http://spacexstats.com/

Any citations for the M1D operating time?  That one suggests access behind the curtain.

I believe Jason is correct.  The user in question does not have any special access.  Don't take the numbers as specifics - they're more about feel good and general information.

NSF has a launch viewing thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33075.0

[Heinrich]

The year they mention is vehicle arriving at launch site. According to that logic, if the vehicle has arrived at the launch site, mission is completed. Makes sense right?

They 'only' need to fire the fuse...