SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - March 16, 2017 - DISCUSSION

[gongora]

NSF Threads for EchoStar 23 : Discussion / Updates / L2 SpaceX Mission Coverage January February March / ASDS / Party

NSF Articles for EchoStar 23 :
      Booster Prep: SpaceX prime Falcon 9 rockets for December return
      Booster/Site Prep: SpaceX set to return to action with RTF Falcon 9 launch of Iridium spacecraft
      Order of missions swapped: Dragon pulls rank as LC-39A readiness realigns SpaceX manifest
      SpaceX Static Fires Falcon 9 for EchoStar 23 launch as SLC-40 targets return
      SpaceX scrubs expendable Falcon 9 for launch of EchoStar 23

LC-39A Preparation Threads: Pad 39A - Transition to SpaceX Falcon Heavy debut - Thread 3 / L2 Coverage

NET 2017- March 16 on Falcon 9 from LC-39A at KSC, launch window starts at 1:35am EDT (5:35 UTC)


Satellite built by SSL for EchoStar.  A flexible Ku band satellite capable of being used from 8 different orbital slots, it is expected to be initially used at 45deg slot over Brazil.  SSL-1300 bus, Ku band.

SSL Press Release
EchoStar
Echostar Launch Calendar

EchoStar to finally launch satellite for 45° West position to provide TV services in Brazil

EchoStar 23 on Gunter's Space Page

Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
   L2 SpaceX Section

[gongora]

This is now NET 4Q 2016 (probably early 4Q).

[Kabloona]

Time for a status update, from twitter on October 10:

Peter B. de Selding –  ‏@pbdes
SpaceX manifest: Round & round it goes, where it stops... EchoStar-23 is latest customer said to be maneuvering for F9 return-to-flight slot

That would be consistent with SpaceX's latest FCC permit application for F9-31, a commercial GTO launch from LC-39A, although there are reportedly several other commsat payloads to choose from as well.

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=74368&RequestTimeout=1000

[Chris Bergin]

Pending manifest confirmation, the next S1 and S2 are on the McGregor test stands (L2) - which we're currently classing as for this mission. Will write it up, per the upcoming milestone of the Iridium NEXT S1 arriving at Vandenberg. https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35112.msg1607795#msg1607795

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Once SpaceX provide the near-term manifest (likely after the AMOS-6 investigation comes to an official end) we'll add the update only threads for the associated missions. We can stay in discussion threads until that time.

[Ronsmytheiii]

3 cores in the LC-39A HIF as of Nov 18th:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM9Li25gw7A/

(put this in the wrong thread originally! )

[old_sellsword]

3 cores in the LC-39A HIF as of Nov 18th:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM9Li25gw7A/

(put this in the wrong thread originally! )

The transport truck has been there for about a week now, I wonder if any cores are leaving soon, or have left since that picture was from three days ago. There shouldn't be any new ones arriving yet, the next one just went up in McGregor.

[cscott]

Maybe the transport truck is waiting for the next landed core?  Or else the 39A schedule is such that they haven't had time to offload that core yet.

[gongora]

Old cores at 39A are off-topic for this thread.

[old_sellsword]

Old cores at 39A are off-topic for this thread.

If they use one for launch pad fit checks prior to the maiden launch (likely EchoStar 23), would that still be off topic?

[russianhalo117]

Old cores at 39A are off-topic for this thread.

If they use one for launch pad fit checks prior to the maiden launch (likely EchoStar 23), would that still be off topic?

yes because we have a dedication 39A thread for that.

[envy887]

Do we know that the next core to go up at McGregor will be for this flight?

[Chris Bergin]

Do we know that the next core to go up at McGregor will be for this flight?

We think so

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/spacex-rockets-december-return/

[Raul]

Do we know that the next core to go up at McGregor will be for this flight?

I think we know it. Echostar is mentioned in this email in relation to this FCC application for F9-31.

[Flying Beaver]

Post on Reddit now reporting NET night of January 8-9.

But the FCC application that date is extracted from is for on-orbit testing.  It does not state a launch date.

Launch on the December 30th, then testing begins a week later seems like whats going on here.

Stuiped me. Date was located in another PDF.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/5ejyoo/echostar_23_launch_date_now_net_january_89_2017/

http://tinyurl.com/gqmfctf

[gongora]

SpaceX has all of their FCC authorizations for the flight now, the one for pre-launch testing was granted yesterday.

File Number: 1526-EX-ST-2016   Granted: Nov. 29, 2016
Purpose Of Operation:
Pre-launch checkout of TTC links for commercial payload mission, including operation of the
fairing re-rad system, prior to flight.
Station Locations
Kennedy Space Center, FL - NL 28-36-29; WL 80-36-14; MOBILE: In the PPF on Titan
III Rd and at LC-39a, within 4 km, centered around NL 28-36-29; WL 80-36-14

[Raul]

What about FCC authorizations for first-stage recovery operation? It is not issued for this flight.

[JBF]

What is a fairing re-rad system?

[AnalogMan]

What is a fairing re-rad system?

Allows spacecraft RF communications with ground support for testing purposes without fairing blocking the signals.  Not used in flight.  See this version used by Sea Launch:

[Jim]

Allows spacecraft RF communications with ground support for testing purposes without fairing blocking the signals.  Not used in flight.

Some are

[gongora]

What about FCC authorizations for first-stage recovery operation? It is not issued for this flight.

You are correct, I confused it with the license for another flight.  They have active first stage recovery communications licenses for CRS-10 and Iridium.  I don't see the application for EchoStar 23?  Maybe they haven't filed it yet.