Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Spaceflight SSO-A : December 3, 2018 - DISCUSSION (Read 308525 times)

ugordan · « **Reply #320 on:** 11/29/2018 11:27 am »

They wouldn't launch the same day, they'd like to have time for post-flight data analysis from one flight before greenlighting the next one.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #321 on:** 11/29/2018 12:14 pm »

Quote from: rosbif73 on 11/29/2018 11:26 am

If SSO-A ends up slipping further to Dec 4th, would SpaceX be capable of handling two launches on the same day?

Given that the SSO-A launch is scheduled for 18:32 UTC on Dec 2nd, presumably it would be within an hour or so of that time of day if it slips to the 4th, whereas CRS-SpX16 is 18:38 UTC on Dec 4th. Awfully close...

I would have to say no. Even though both SpX-16 and Spaceflight SSO-A are on different coasts, I can’t see SpaceX launching both within minutes of each other. However, if they do decide to go for it, it would be fantastic to see one mission on the left side and the other mission on the right side similar to how they show the onboard views from Stages 1 and 2.

Wolfram66 · « **Reply #322 on:** 11/29/2018 02:41 pm »

Latest 5-Day wind analysis loop

http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/eastpac/movies/wg9dlm5/wg9dlm5_loop.html

wannamoonbase · « **Reply #323 on:** 11/29/2018 02:43 pm »

Quote from: ZachS09 on 11/29/2018 12:14 pm

Quote from: rosbif73 on 11/29/2018 11:26 am
If SSO-A ends up slipping further to Dec 4th, would SpaceX be capable of handling two launches on the same day?

Given that the SSO-A launch is scheduled for 18:32 UTC on Dec 2nd, presumably it would be within an hour or so of that time of day if it slips to the 4th, whereas CRS-SpX16 is 18:38 UTC on Dec 4th. Awfully close...

I would have to say no. Even though both SpX-16 and Spaceflight SSO-A are on different coasts, I can’t see SpaceX launching both within minutes of each other. However, if they do decide to go for it, it would be fantastic to see one mission on the left side and the other mission on the right side similar to how they show the onboard views from Stages 1 and 2.

Hasn't SpaceX previously stated that they can support a second launch within 24 hrs?

If Starlink is support to be deployed with F9's then we may see in a few years that they are doing 40-50 launches a year (or more) and that many launches could be right on top of each other.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #324 on:** 11/29/2018 04:18 pm »

Does the phrase “within 24 hours” also refer to within minutes of each other?

jjyach · « **Reply #325 on:** 11/29/2018 06:29 pm »

They are able to run separate simultaneous ops. They just right now try not to, but if ever needed they have the ability.

Star One · « **Reply #326 on:** 11/30/2018 09:13 pm »

The tracking issues for this mission has now been covered by Space News.

Dedicated rideshare Falcon 9 launch raises satellite tracking concerns

This is the main new statement on the matter presented in the article.

Quote

In a Nov. 29 statement to SpaceNews, Spaceflight provided more details about how it is working with its customers to improve the tracking and identification of the SSO-A payloads.

“Spaceflight is a strong proponent of being stewards of space and operating responsibly,” the company said. That includes providing operators with an initial state vector and deployment time for each payload, as well as working with the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) regarding tracking. “Spaceflight has been working closely with CSpOC for the last nine months on the SSO-A mission to ensure that they can quickly identify and track each spacecraft on this mission.”

However, Spaceflight added, “Once payloads have been deployed, it is the operator’s responsibility to make contact with and track the satellite.”

cwr · « **Reply #327 on:** 12/01/2018 02:54 am »

Quote from: jjyach on 11/29/2018 06:29 pm

They are able to run separate simultaneous ops. They just right now try not to, but if ever needed they have the ability.

My recollection of a SpaceX statement in 2017 about simultaneous East and West coast launches
was that while the East coast and West coast firing crews were fully redundant, the launch team at Hawthorne was not. Hence they wanted a window of 2-4 hours of non overlap for Hawthorne launch team non-overlap.

I remember the specifics of that statement because it seemed to deny that there was a separate firing crew
to cover LC40 and another to cover LC39A. Hence simultaneous launches were not possible from LC40 and LC39A.
Which contradicts a post from padrat [just after SpaceX was assigned the LC39A lease], which explicitly said
SpaceX was building 3 separate firing teams for LC40, LC39A and SLC4E.

Maybe Chris could ask SpaceX for clarification on what is and isn't an option for
LC40 or LC39A at the same time as SLC4E
and LC40 at the same time as LC39A.

Carl

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #328 on:** 12/01/2018 05:57 pm »

For those wondering about amount of ‘soot’:

https://twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1068929906271232000

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1068940024136126464

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/picklepunchd/status/1068940570301583361

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1068940753974349824

edkyle99 · « **Reply #329 on:** 12/01/2018 06:07 pm »

Elon says the first stage discoloration is due to "reentry scorch marks" and that it is not "simple soot" that can be wiped off. That makes sense to me. It is baked in. Kind of like what happens to my cookware over time!

- Ed Kyle

Lars-J · « **Reply #330 on:** 12/01/2018 08:47 pm »

Quote from: edkyle99 on 12/01/2018 06:07 pm

Elon says the first stage discoloration is due to "reentry scorch marks" and that it is not "simple soot" that can be wiped off. That makes sense to me. It is baked in. Kind of like what happens to my cookware over time!

- Ed Kyle

But they did clean up the first reused booster and the reused FH side boosters. But perhaps that was more of a repaint than a deep clean.

M.E.T. · « **Reply #331 on:** 12/02/2018 03:53 am »

Sadly, as a SpaceX fan now living in Australia, launch windows do not seem tied to celestial/orbital mechanics as much as I might have hoped, but rather to working hour convenience in the US.

This means that like today’s launch, most seem to occur somewhere between 2am and 4am my time, meaning I don’t get to see them live as often as before.

Not sure if the same will apply to eventual Mars launches.

The Roadie · « **Reply #332 on:** 12/02/2018 06:20 am »

Just got a note from a German payload guy of a slip to Monday, 3rd. Sole source - confirming now....

A12 · « **Reply #333 on:** 12/02/2018 06:47 am »

Quote from: The Roadie on 12/02/2018 06:20 am

Just got a note from a German payload guy of a slip to Monday, 3rd. Sole source - confirming now....

It is now on Sx Twitter account. See update thread.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #334 on:** 12/02/2018 01:32 pm »

Using http://boulter.com/gps/distance/ and Raul's General SpaceX Map, the distance between SLC-4E and the drone ship location is 47.55 kilometers, which is the closest to any launch site.

gongora · « **Reply #335 on:** 12/02/2018 06:35 pm »

This looks like fairing 2.0, and the previous flight (Es'hail 2) had the original fairing design. Interesting they still keep using both.

OnWithTheShow · « **Reply #336 on:** 12/02/2018 09:02 pm »

Quote from: gongora on 12/02/2018 06:35 pm

This looks like fairing 2.0, and the previous flight (Es'hail 2) had the original fairing design. Interesting they still keep using both.

Could different payload envelope requirements dictate the fairing version?

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #337 on:** 12/03/2018 03:14 am »

Quote from: M.E.T. on 12/02/2018 03:53 am

This means that like today’s launch, most seem to occur somewhere between 2am and 4am my time, meaning I don’t get to see them live as often as before.

Yes, afternoon launches in the US are early morning here, but the reverse is also true! Some of the GTO missions are early morning US, which are afternoon here. If you're a die-hard fan, you set your alarm and get up. Waking up in the middle of the night is no fun, but once I start watching I'm always glad I did. Just remember to check NSF before you go to bed, otherwise you might get up for nothing, like I did this morning!

woods170 · « **Reply #338 on:** 12/03/2018 07:04 am »

Quote from: gongora on 12/02/2018 06:35 pm

This looks like fairing 2.0, and the previous flight (Es'hail 2) had the original fairing design. Interesting they still keep using both.

Getting rid of stockpile.

Noname4567 · « **Reply #339 on:** 12/03/2018 09:20 am »

Does anyone know where and when the second stage de-orbit burn might be visible ?