SpaceX Falcon Heavy : Arabsat 6A : LC-39A : April 11, 2019 - DISCUSSION

[ZachS09]

The 30 knots at 50 meters (164 feet) does not compare to the upper level winds at 3,658 meters (12,000 feet).

[AC in NC]

That's what "but" reflects

[Scylla]

It's got to be a test for Starship. either the new SpaceX metal blend or transpiration cooling test.

Or lightning protection or radar reflecty bit for tracking its fall or a better attachment point for lifting onto ship or something to do with making it tolerant of salt water or a chrome bumper for retro-coolness or...

GPS III fairing also had a silvery tip.
From GPS III update thread.....

T-11 minutes. Talking about fairing.

The host noted that this fairing has extra thermal protection on the tip, due to the increased heating on this launch trajectory.

Also, HOLD HOLD HOLD!

[intelati]

GPS III fairing also had a silvery tip.

I seem to remember another recent faring mission had the thermal protection. I'm wondering if it's now standard on all farings for some reason?

E: Hmm. I guess not. It's going to be quite the hot launch.  Hot up and hot down.

[Prettz]

Dang, I thought they were targeting 6:30pm. This is now gonna be a night launch? :/

[ZachS09]

Dang, I thought they were targeting 6:30pm. This is now gonna be a night launch? :/

Yep. 16 minutes after sunset.

[webdan]

Gonna be sweet looking from the west coast of Florida...

Saw the first one in person, will watch this one from my driveway.

[sferrin]

Dang, I thought they were targeting 6:30pm. This is now gonna be a night launch? :/

Yep. 16 minutes after sunset.

If they don't bump it 'til tomorrow.

[RocketLover0119]

rather excited this moved tonight, going to watch the launch from my own backyard and attempt to timelapse the entire thing! 

[penguin44]

OK my question was accidently deleted so here we go again. On the Arabsat patch there is a shamrock. What's the story on that?

[webdan]

rather excited this moved tonight, going to watch the launch from my own backyard and attempt to timelapse the entire thing! 

Yeah, been thinking about that myself too... historically I've preferred long exposures (shuttles were great).

Good luck!

[ZachS09]

OK my question was accidently deleted so here we go again. On the Arabsat patch there is a shamrock. What's the story on that?

After three unsuccessful Falcon 1 launches, and with SpaceX nearing bankruptcy, they achieved success on the fourth attempt and placed a shamrock on every mission patch afterwards, symbolizing a four-leaf clover that represents good luck.

[penguin44]

Sweet, I didn't know that. Thank you

[Phil Stooke]

Personally I would not call 16 minutes after sunset a night launch!  I think you need a black sky (or nearly so) for a real night launch.  But others may have a different view, I guess.  Regardless, it will be exciting.

[Comga]

OK my question was accidentally deleted so here we go again. On the Arabsat patch there is a shamrock. What's the story on that?

After three unsuccessful Falcon 1 launches, and with SpaceX nearing bankruptcy, they achieved success on the fourth attempt and placed a shamrock on every mission patch afterwards, symbolizing a four-leaf clover that represents good luck.

FWIW Even the less-than-stellar NSF "Search" function finds 8 references to "shamrock" over the years.
One can assume that obvious features have been noted and discussed before.

The shamrock is also painted on ASDS blast shields

[Prettz]

Personally I would not call 16 minutes after sunset a night launch!  I think you need a black sky (or nearly so) for a real night launch.  But others may have a different view, I guess.  Regardless, it will be exciting.

If I can actually see the rocket on the video, rather than just some fire receding away after it clears the tower, then I'm happy. Hopefully we get the full view of this important launch.

[phantomdj]

From Spacex on twitter:

"Falcon Heavy and Arabsat-6A are vertical on Launch Complex 39A. Currently targeting liftoff at 8:00 p.m. EDT; monitoring upper-level winds that could push us to the end of the window (8:32 p.m. EDT)"

[AnalogMan]

OK my question was accidently deleted so here we go again. On the Arabsat patch there is a shamrock. What's the story on that?

You did get a reply to your original post by e of pi

Why is there a shamrock on the patch.

It's an old SpaceX tradition dating back to Falcon 1 Flight 4. After three heart-breaking failures and with very little capital sustaining the company, they stuck a shamrock on the patch alongside all the engineering changes made to ensure a successful launch. There's one hiding in every SpaceX patch since to the best of my knowledge. Sometimes they're green, sometimes they're other colors and hidden in background detail.

[1]

Personally I would not call 16 minutes after sunset a night launch!  I think you need a black sky (or nearly so) for a real night launch.  But others may have a different view, I guess.  Regardless, it will be exciting.

If I can actually see the rocket on the video, rather than just some fire receding away after it clears the tower, then I'm happy. Hopefully we get the full view of this important launch.

Forget the rocket! I wanna see three or four jellyfish.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Now that the launch has been delayed, when is the Kerbal Space Academy livestream expected to start?

http://kerbalspaceacademy.com/live