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

[JBF]

But why does it have that black sheet over it?

Protective cover for transportation? Similar to the tarp used to wrap the stages on the road?

Protection for the Mission Logo?

[Jim]

But why does it have that black sheet over it?

Protective cover for transportation? Similar to the tarp used to wrap the stages on the road?

That is what I thought

[abaddon]

Suddenly now, on the last two flights, they're showing on-board live broadcast reentry footage that they've supposedly had all along?  No way.

You're absolutely right and I apologize. What SpaceX employees see we also get to see, each and every time.

I originally said "demonstrated" [edit: "displayed"; intent was the same though].  Meaning, to us (the public).  Feel free to keep moving those goalposts though.

Also, I'm done responding, this side-track of the thread over a very minor comment is not worth continuing.

[Ronsmytheiii]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/841331499961991169

SpaceX‏
@SpaceX

Falcon 9 on Pad 39A. Launch window for @EchoStar XXIII opens early tomorrow morning at 1:34am EDT.

Note that the core has the number "30" marked on it.

Another historic note (though SpaceX won't admit this one) this will be the first all up expendable LV flown from LC-39A in about 44 years, going all the way back to the launch of Skylab on May 14, 1973.

[Wolfram66]

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/southeast_loop.php

weather is starting to look iffy for the Launch

[Folgers25]

weather is starting to look iffy for the Launch

Yeah I'm not getting my hopes up for this one. It has grayed up considerably the past two days.

[wannamoonbase]

weather is starting to look iffy for the Launch

Yeah I'm not getting my hopes up for this one. It has grayed up considerably the past two days.

Agreed, weather looks very dodgy, I'll be going to sleep and catching the news and any applicable YouTubes in the morning. 

[whitelancer64]

current weather forecast from the 45th Space Wing

Launch probability of violating launch weather constraints: Thick Cloud Layer Rule: 60%
Delay probability of violating launch weather constraints: Liftoff Winds: 10%

[rsdavis9]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/841331499961991169

SpaceX‏
@SpaceX

Falcon 9 on Pad 39A. Launch window for @EchoStar XXIII opens early tomorrow morning at 1:34am EDT.

Note that the core has the number "30" marked on it.

Another historic note (though SpaceX won't admit this one) this will be the first all up expendable LV flown from LC-39A in about 44 years, going all the way back to the launch of Skylab on May 14, 1973.

can anybody tell if the legs would have covered the core number?

[KaiFarrimond]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/841331499961991169

SpaceX‏
@SpaceX

Falcon 9 on Pad 39A. Launch window for @EchoStar XXIII opens early tomorrow morning at 1:34am EDT.

Note that the core has the number "30" marked on it.

Another historic note (though SpaceX won't admit this one) this will be the first all up expendable LV flown from LC-39A in about 44 years, going all the way back to the launch of Skylab on May 14, 1973.

can anybody tell if the legs would have covered the core number?

No, they don't. You can see on this picture of the Iridium Launch https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/32312416415/

[smfarmer11]

According to spaceflight101, the weather briefing before the occurs on the countdown at T-01:20:00, two minutes before the Launch Readiness poll, with the Countdown officially starting at T-10:00:00 .

http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-ft-countdown-timeline/

[russianhalo117]

According to spaceflight101, the weather briefing before the occurs on the countdown at T-01:20:00, two minutes before the Launch Readiness poll, with the Countdown officially starting at T-10:00:00 .

http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-ft-countdown-timeline/

that is the final weather briefing
initial full wx briefing is during LRR

[padrat]

First view of the upgraded SMAB east bay? SpaceX picture.

It's actually the annex at 40. The cleanroom is still operational.
The black cover is a bag for transportation. We actually do most of the fairing processing at a different site and then transport to whichever cleanroom the customer is at for encapsulation.

[Comga]

Walter Sciptunas with another beauty shot:

https://www.instagram.com/scriptunasphoto/

It just looks so bereft without legs and grid fins.

[catdlr]

Weather is already playing a role in the Prop Load/T-0 discussions for Falcon 9. Long window, so they are looking for a gap.

Chris,  I'm unable to download the weather PDF, but what is the relationship between the weather situation (I.e.cloudy) versus prop loading?

[JBF]

Weather is already playing a role in the Prop Load/T-0 discussions for Falcon 9. Long window, so they are looking for a gap.

Chris,  I'm unable to download the weather PDF, but what is the relationship between the weather situation (I.e.cloudy) versus prop loading?

Due to densification once they load prop they have to launch in a specific time frame. They can't keep continuously topping it off.  They are probably trying to decide if there will be a break in the weather later.

[Bubbinski]

I would guess they want to make sure they don't have to hold too long fully fueled because the fuel would warm up (as I understand it from following the forums here they are wanting to keep the densified fuel as cold as possible now)

[Wolfram66]

http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/atlantic/movies/g8irn/g8irn_loop.html

A little broader view of weather system affecting launch

[daveglo]

I didn't see this mentioned anywhere, but Dish Network (North American satellite TV provider) is broadcasting the launch live in SD and HD formats on channels 88 and 89.  A static announcement screen and muzak is playing right now.  The screen indicates a live broadcast starting at 1:14AM ET / 11:14PM MT.

This is the first time I've ever seen this on Dish.  Not sure why they're carrying this one, but I'll take it if it beats watching through a slow DSL connection.   

Set your DVRs!

[Herb Schaltegger]

I didn't see this mentioned anywhere, but Dish Network (North American satellite TV provider) is broadcasting the launch live in SD and HD formats on channels 88 and 89.  A static announcement screen and muzak is playing right now.  The screen indicates a live broadcast starting at 1:14AM ET / 11:14PM MT.

This is the first time I've ever seen this on Dish.  Not sure why they're carrying this one, but I'll take it if it beats watching through a slow DSL connection.   

Set your DVRs!

That's because Dish broadcasts through EchoStar satellites.

(They are close corporate affiliates).