Quote from: Coastal Ron on 02/24/2019 04:16 pmQuote from: Spindog on 02/24/2019 01:03 pmAlong these lines it would be nice to separate falcon heavy launches from manned launches. Do we know if SpaceX has any plans to configure pad 40 for either falcon heavy or manned launches?Manned launches require the entire gantry system - the big tower next to the launch pad that has the crew access arm and the tower escape system. SLC-40 doesn't have enough room to build these there, and even if it did it would take years to build that type of infrastructure.SpaceX leased LC-39A specifically to support both crew and Falcon Heavy flights, so they have built their infrastructure to support both. Reconfiguring between flights will likely end up being a relatively quick (i.e. I'm guessing a week) operation. Considering the number of Falcon Heavy flights in the backlog, this should not be a problem.There is an EA for FH with options for VI on SLC-40 (Amended for a new SLC-40A/B configuration). It would only be executed upon demand for FH or USAF request.
Quote from: Spindog on 02/24/2019 01:03 pmAlong these lines it would be nice to separate falcon heavy launches from manned launches. Do we know if SpaceX has any plans to configure pad 40 for either falcon heavy or manned launches?Manned launches require the entire gantry system - the big tower next to the launch pad that has the crew access arm and the tower escape system. SLC-40 doesn't have enough room to build these there, and even if it did it would take years to build that type of infrastructure.SpaceX leased LC-39A specifically to support both crew and Falcon Heavy flights, so they have built their infrastructure to support both. Reconfiguring between flights will likely end up being a relatively quick (i.e. I'm guessing a week) operation. Considering the number of Falcon Heavy flights in the backlog, this should not be a problem.
Along these lines it would be nice to separate falcon heavy launches from manned launches. Do we know if SpaceX has any plans to configure pad 40 for either falcon heavy or manned launches?
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 02/24/2019 07:08 pmQuote from: Coastal Ron on 02/24/2019 04:16 pmQuote from: Spindog on 02/24/2019 01:03 pmAlong these lines it would be nice to separate falcon heavy launches from manned launches. Do we know if SpaceX has any plans to configure pad 40 for either falcon heavy or manned launches?Manned launches require the entire gantry system - the big tower next to the launch pad that has the crew access arm and the tower escape system. SLC-40 doesn't have enough room to build these there, and even if it did it would take years to build that type of infrastructure.SpaceX leased LC-39A specifically to support both crew and Falcon Heavy flights, so they have built their infrastructure to support both. Reconfiguring between flights will likely end up being a relatively quick (i.e. I'm guessing a week) operation. Considering the number of Falcon Heavy flights in the backlog, this should not be a problem.There is an EA for FH with options for VI on SLC-40 (Amended for a new SLC-40A/B configuration). It would only be executed upon demand for FH or USAF request.I’m sure that was done before SpaceX leased 39A when it was the plan to add a new pad on 40 for FH?
So is Arabsat or RCM next up?
Quote from: scr00chy on 02/18/2019 01:38 pmQuote from: fvasnier on 02/18/2019 01:31 pmDo you have any estimation about potential delays for the launch?I plan to come from Europe for the launch and I feel like the gap between DM-1 and the Falcon Heavy is a little bit too optimistic... What are your thoughts? Thx!SpaceX will probably need at least a few weeks after DM-1 to reconfigure the launch pad, assemble the Falcon Heavy and do a static fire. So I'd say, realistically, Arabsat won't launch until late March at the earliest (and that's dependant on DM-1 launching on March 2, which is also far from certain).We have no metric for how quickly SpaceX can turnaround LC-39A from F9 to FH. Agreed that March 7th is unlikely though.
Quote from: fvasnier on 02/18/2019 01:31 pmDo you have any estimation about potential delays for the launch?I plan to come from Europe for the launch and I feel like the gap between DM-1 and the Falcon Heavy is a little bit too optimistic... What are your thoughts? Thx!SpaceX will probably need at least a few weeks after DM-1 to reconfigure the launch pad, assemble the Falcon Heavy and do a static fire. So I'd say, realistically, Arabsat won't launch until late March at the earliest (and that's dependant on DM-1 launching on March 2, which is also far from certain).
Do you have any estimation about potential delays for the launch?I plan to come from Europe for the launch and I feel like the gap between DM-1 and the Falcon Heavy is a little bit too optimistic... What are your thoughts? Thx!
I hope they can launch in late march as I'm heading down there for a wedding and I would love to catch my first ever launch
Quote from: penguin44 on 03/04/2019 06:06 pmI hope they can launch in late march as I'm heading down there for a wedding and I would love to catch my first ever launchSadly, Ben Cooper's website now shows Arabsat's launch date as April TBD.
One TSM is already removed!
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 03/04/2019 06:02 pmOne TSM is already removed!Why would they be removing the tail service masts? Or did you mean the F9 side hold-down clamp plugs?
If they don't have a date by now it ain't happening in March (as much as I'd like it to).
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.htmlQuoteThe next SpaceX Falcon rocket from Cape Canaveral will be the second launch of the Falcon Heavy, from pad 39A, carrying the Arabsat 6A communication satellite on April TBD, in the early evening EDT. Sunset is about 7:45pm. The launch window stretches about two hours. The two first stage side boosters will land back at Cape Canaveral about eight minutes after launch.
The next SpaceX Falcon rocket from Cape Canaveral will be the second launch of the Falcon Heavy, from pad 39A, carrying the Arabsat 6A communication satellite on April TBD, in the early evening EDT. Sunset is about 7:45pm. The launch window stretches about two hours. The two first stage side boosters will land back at Cape Canaveral about eight minutes after launch.
