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

[Ben the Space Brit]

I'm guessing that this is just a shakedown of the LC-39A TEL. I mean, it's basically been sitting in the HIF for a good while ,so conservative engineering would demand that it have a few test cycles before it's asked to work with an actual spacecraft.

[robert_d]

Would it be fair to be optimistic at this point? Would they have verified all TEL to vehicle connections already and then removed the vehicle? Or will the first vehicle be attached after this current fit check and roll-back?

Second question: When SLC-40 was being activated, were there any tests with the fairing only or mock spacecraft for fit and clearance? I think I remember a "January rush" of some sort where Musk put a mock(?) vehicle vertical for the photo-op.

[input~2]

For the record:

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 300459Z TO 300803Z JAN,
ALTERNATE 310500Z TO 310804Z JAN
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-38N 080-38W, 28-39N 080-38W,
28-41N 080-14W, 28-40N 079-50W,
28-36N 079-08W, 28-31N 079-08W,
28-32N 080-14W, 28-33N 080-34W,
28-34N 080-36W.
B. 28-29N 074-57W, 27-58N 070-07W,
27-38N 070-18W, 28-05N 075-07W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 310904Z JAN 17.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE 131510Z JAN 17.

Date: 250335Z JAN 17
Cancel: 31090400 Jan 17

[Orbiter]

Amazingly, NASA TV will be broadcasting this launch live! (Yeah I know it's pad 39A, but still....) 

11:30 p.m., Thursday, February 2 - Launch coverage of SpaceX EchoStar 23 from Launch Complex 39A (starts at 11:45 p.m.) (all channels)

That's interesting! Probably will just be the countdown net without any commentary plus a camera on the VAB pointed at the pad.

[russianhalo117]

Amazingly, NASA TV will be broadcasting this launch live! (Yeah I know it's pad 39A, but still....) 

11:30 p.m., Thursday, February 2 - Launch coverage of SpaceX EchoStar 23 from Launch Complex 39A (starts at 11:45 p.m.) (all channels)

That's interesting! Probably will just be the countdown net without any commentary plus a camera on the VAB pointed at the pad.

Well it is 39A afterall so I would expect a big GSDO showoff of some sort regarding KSC's transition to a multiuser launch base.

[Flying Beaver]

Walter Scriptunas II ‏@scriptunasphoto
Was in the area, so I decided to check out how @SpaceX is progressing on LC-39A work. The erector was up this evening. #SpaceX #Falcon9
https://twitter.com/scriptunasphoto

Same chap says it was up again this evening.

For a Monday static fire this would probably have to be the final time the TEL is vertical without a rocket. Remember that the TEL has to be bolted onto the launch mount while vertical, to then rotate the launch mount to horizontal. Then it's rollback into the HIF for integration.

[feynmanrules]

While not surprising 39a slipped again....  It's amazing that 5 months ago they were talking about returning to flight AND completing multiple 2016 launches in q3.   

September 2, 6:45pm EDT
[...]
SpaceX's other launch sites were not affected by yesterday's events.  Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base is in the final stages of an operational upgrade and Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center remains on schedule to be operational in November.

via: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Then you see chris' fascinating article on echo star bump and this part raises an eyebrow :

Normally the TE retracts away from the rocket with just over three minutes to launch. However, the “Throwback” method will see the TEL remain in place, before retracting, rapidly, at T-0.

via: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/dragon-pulls-rank-lc-39a-readiness-spacex/

I'm empathetic on missing schedules esp for complex deliverables.  Do I get skepticism around their efforts if only from consistency of sched misses?  Yes.     Hopefully everything proceeds safely and smoothly at 39a.

[mme]

While not surprising 39a slipped again....  It's amazing that 5 months ago they were talking about returning to flight AND completing multiple 2016 launches in q3.   

September 2, 6:45pm EDT
[...]
SpaceX's other launch sites were not affected by yesterday's events.  Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base is in the final stages of an operational upgrade and Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center remains on schedule to be operational in November.

via: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Then you see chris' fascinating article on echo star bump and this part raises an eyebrow :

Normally the TE retracts away from the rocket with just over three minutes to launch. However, the “Throwback” method will see the TEL remain in place, before retracting, rapidly, at T-0.

via: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/dragon-pulls-rank-lc-39a-readiness-spacex/

I'm empathetic on missing schedules esp for complex deliverables.  Do I get skepticism around their efforts if only from consistency of sched misses?  Yes.     Hopefully everything proceeds safely and smoothly at 39a.

"Throwback" is probably required for crew safety and therefore part of the original design for this TEL.  Plus, lessons learned from LC-40 and SLC-4E.  Look at the thing, it's a new beast.

For reference, I give you Apollo 11:

[matthewkantar]

Sort of like the Russians.



Matthew

[IanThePineapple]

I wonder if Boca Chica's TEL will do the throwback maneuver...

Also, I REALLY hope we get to see a throwback test before CRS-10, I can't wait that long.

[cscott]

I wonder if Boca Chica's TEL will do the throwback maneuver...

Also, I REALLY hope we get to see a throwback test before CRS-10, I can't wait that long.

There's already been a throwback test.  We all missed it (apparently).

At least some folks think that there won't be throwback during static fire, so if that's the case you might just have to wait.

[IanThePineapple]

Static Fire is a full dress rehearsal, so it would make sense to see it happen.

[dmc6960]

Static Fire is a full dress rehearsal, so it would make sense to see it happen.

No it doesn't.  Throwing back the TEL would disconnect the 2nd stage umbilicals.  Makes sense that it will only be commanded at the same time as the hold down clamps at T-0.  Will not happen on static fire.

[RemoveBeforeFlight]

Static Fire is a full dress rehearsal, so it would make sense to see it happen.

No it doesn't.  Throwing back the TEL would disconnect the 2nd stage umbilicals.  Makes sense that it will only be commanded at the same time as the hold down clamps at T-0.  Will not happen on static fire.

Performing a throwback during a Static Fire would be an unnecessary risk. They have already performed the throwback test and I'm sure they will do a few more to verify it once the pad is ready. The focus of this SF will most likely be cryo fill issues. Which is another big concern for a virgin pad.

[deruch]

Static Fire is a full dress rehearsal, so it would make sense to see it happen.

No it doesn't.  Throwing back the TEL would disconnect the 2nd stage umbilicals.  Makes sense that it will only be commanded at the same time as the hold down clamps at T-0.  Will not happen on static fire.

Similarly, don't expect to see it happen on aborted launches that occur after engine ignition but before lift-off (e.g. SES-9 helium bubbles issue).  Throwback should only happen as/when the F9 is actually leaving the pad.

[IanThePineapple]

I wouldn't be surprised if the release of the clamps directly triggered the throwback

[Jim]

I wouldn't be surprised if the release of the clamps directly triggered the throwback

They would use the same signal to do both.  Much like other vehicles and their hold downs and umbilicals

[Raul]

Similarly like Antares and .

[ChrisC]

EchoStar-23 mission patch.

Note no ASDS, legs or grid fins.

What do you think the eight stars are for?

[smoliarm]

...

What do you think the eight stars are for?

My guess:
From Gunter's Catalogue:

EchoStar 23 is a very flexible Ku-band satellite capable of providing service from any of eight different orbital slots.

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/echostar-23.htm