Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 - EchoStar 23 - March 16, 2017 - DISCUSSION (Read 1995203 times)

envy887 · « **Reply #160 on:** 02/14/2017 01:34 am »

Is there a tentative static fire date for this launch?

Comga · « **Reply #161 on:** 02/14/2017 01:43 am »

Quote from: envy887 on 02/14/2017 01:34 am

Is there a tentative static fire date for this launch?

Yes
[/Jim]

In L2

rockets4life97 · « **Reply #162 on:** 02/14/2017 02:06 am »

Static fires are usually 3 to 4 days before the launch. So, probably scheduled for the Friday or Saturday before.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #163 on:** 02/14/2017 02:22 am »

Quote from: rockets4life97 on 02/14/2017 02:06 am

Static fires are usually 3 to 4 days before the launch. So, probably scheduled for the Friday or Saturday before.

CRS-10 was 6 days before, but it makes perfect sense since it was a new pad.

rockets4life97 · « **Reply #164 on:** 02/19/2017 05:29 pm »

If Echostar 23 launches on or before Saturday March 4 in the early morning, this will be the fastest turnaround between launches for SpaceX.

We'll see how quick they can turn around 39A. The new re-enforced TEL should help.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #165 on:** 02/19/2017 07:40 pm »

Quote from: rockets4life97 on 02/19/2017 05:29 pm

If Echostar 23 launches on or before Saturday March 4 in the early morning, this will be the fastest turnaround between launches for SpaceX.

We'll see how quick they can turn around 39A. The new re-enforced TEL should help.

I'm thinking the date will be delayed a little bit, as they inspect 39A, the TEL, F9 performance out of 39A, etc post CRS-10. However, they could continue reviewing launch data after the Echostar static fire too, as that will be 3-4 days before launch.

cro-magnon gramps · « **Reply #166 on:** 02/19/2017 09:46 pm »

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 02/19/2017 07:40 pm

Quote from: rockets4life97 on 02/19/2017 05:29 pm
If Echostar 23 launches on or before Saturday March 4 in the early morning, this will be the fastest turnaround between launches for SpaceX.

We'll see how quick they can turn around 39A. The new re-enforced TEL should help.

I'm thinking the date will be delayed a little bit, as they inspect 39A, the TEL, F9 performance out of 39A, etc post CRS-10. However, they could continue reviewing launch data after the Echostar static fire too, as that will be 3-4 days before launch.

OR
They could examine the pad on Tuesday / Wednesday, and determine that all is good, and they can have it ready to launch Echostar on the 28th of February... I'm sure we will be surprised either way...

AncientU · « **Reply #167 on:** 02/19/2017 09:53 pm »

Quote from: cro-magnon gramps on 02/19/2017 09:46 pm

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 02/19/2017 07:40 pm
Quote from: rockets4life97 on 02/19/2017 05:29 pm
If Echostar 23 launches on or before Saturday March 4 in the early morning, this will be the fastest turnaround between launches for SpaceX.

We'll see how quick they can turn around 39A. The new re-enforced TEL should help.

I'm thinking the date will be delayed a little bit, as they inspect 39A, the TEL, F9 performance out of 39A, etc post CRS-10. However, they could continue reviewing launch data after the Echostar static fire too, as that will be 3-4 days before launch.
OR
They could examine the pad on Tuesday / Wednesday, and determine that all is good, and they can have it ready to launch Echostar on the 28th of February... I'm sure we will be surprised either way...

The upper umbilicals were significantly back form the rocket exhaust with the new throw-back. Wouldn't surprise me if this was one of the principal reasons for the change (along with the umbilicals being shorter as post-flight interviews indicated). Not having to replace them each launch would be a nice savings. A nine day turn-around between launches (less than a week between launch and static fire) on a new pad would be a positive sign for the changes they've implemented.

baldusi · « **Reply #168 on:** 02/19/2017 10:14 pm »

Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Eagandale4114 · « **Reply #169 on:** 02/19/2017 10:36 pm »

Quote from: baldusi on 02/19/2017 10:14 pm

Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Wasn't it 5 cores?

envy887 · « **Reply #170 on:** 02/19/2017 10:43 pm »

Quote from: Eagandale4114 on 02/19/2017 10:36 pm

Quote from: baldusi on 02/19/2017 10:14 pm
Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Wasn't it 5 cores?

Fairing takes up more space than a core.

Was it confirmed that the payload and fairing are mated already? I don't see it anywhere upthread, but Echostar got pretty close to launching before Dragon pulled rank, so it should be almost ready to go.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #171 on:** 02/20/2017 12:36 pm »

Okay, you obsessive record-keepers! How many times has the NET date for a space launch moved leftward (even if only briefly or temporarily)?

jpo234 · « **Reply #172 on:** 02/20/2017 12:58 pm »

Quote from: Eagandale4114 on 02/19/2017 10:36 pm

Quote from: baldusi on 02/19/2017 10:14 pm
Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Wasn't it 5 cores?

I think so...

baldusi · « **Reply #173 on:** 02/20/2017 01:04 pm »

Quote from: jpo234 on 02/20/2017 12:58 pm

Quote from: Eagandale4114 on 02/19/2017 10:36 pm
Quote from: baldusi on 02/19/2017 10:14 pm
Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Wasn't it 5 cores?

I think so...

Fit and process are different things. It surely can process three. More is possible, but improbable.

Brovane · « **Reply #174 on:** 02/20/2017 01:31 pm »

Any thoughts on what better than GTO orbital insertion will be for EchoStar-23? Flying fully expendable the F9 should be really able to stretch it's legs and we can see what this baby can really do.

Bargemanos · « **Reply #175 on:** 02/20/2017 01:40 pm »

Quote from: Brovane on 02/20/2017 01:31 pm

Any thoughts on what better than GTO orbital insertion will be for EchoStar-23? Flying fully expendable the F9 should be really able to stretch it's legs and we can see what this baby can really do.

No, No.. No legs on this one

(couldn't resist)

douglas100 · « **Reply #176 on:** 02/20/2017 01:50 pm »

Quote from: baldusi on 02/20/2017 01:04 pm

Quote from: jpo234 on 02/20/2017 12:58 pm
Quote from: Eagandale4114 on 02/19/2017 10:36 pm
Quote from: baldusi on 02/19/2017 10:14 pm
Having a HIF that can process three cores simultaneously should also help with turnaround.

Wasn't it 5 cores?

I think so...

Fit and process are different things. It surely can process three. More is possible, but improbable.

Indeed. Especially since the next assembled vehicle to be flown has got to be lifted off the floor so the TEL can brought into the hangar beneath it. The TEL essentially talks up the whole width of the hangar at the pad end. Space looks tight for extra cores at this stage in the flow.

Edit: added "the"

hans_ober · « **Reply #177 on:** 02/20/2017 01:56 pm »

Quote from: Brovane on 02/20/2017 01:31 pm

Any thoughts on what better than GTO orbital insertion will be for EchoStar-23? Flying fully expendable the F9 should be really able to stretch it's legs and we can see what this baby can really do.

Hopefully supersync GTO.

Unless SpaceX decides to MECO with a little fuel left in the booster to conduct re-entry testing. FH is gonna fly soon, and it might good to try ~1.5 -1.7km/s re-entries

stcks · « **Reply #178 on:** 02/20/2017 02:09 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/20/2017 12:22 pm

The legless Falcon 9 for EchoStar 23 has (had - but is still active) a Range Approved Static Fire NET Feb. 24. Clearly won't stick, but let's see how close they get after 39A checks. Shakedown check (as they call it) is Tuesday.

I'm curious why would it clearly be delayed. I know it would be record turn-around but It doesn't seem completely out of the realm of possibility to me, especially given how smoothly the pad functioned on Saturday and Sunday and that the rocket and payload are by all accounts basically ready to go. What am I missing?

DOCinCT · « **Reply #179 on:** 02/20/2017 03:08 pm »

Quote from: hans_ober on 02/20/2017 01:56 pm

Quote from: Brovane on 02/20/2017 01:31 pm
Any thoughts on what better than GTO orbital insertion will be for EchoStar-23? Flying fully expendable the F9 should be really able to stretch it's legs and we can see what this baby can really do.

Hopefully supersync GTO.

Unless SpaceX decides to MECO with a little fuel left in the booster to conduct re-entry testing. FH is gonna fly soon, and it might good to try ~1.5 -1.7km/s re-entries

Better use of the fuel would be to boost speed for faster positioning into GTO (currently 40 to 60 dayss?? note not 4-6mo