The side boosters are identical in every way, they'll be landing in the same location: LZ-1. In case you missed it, there are now concrete plans for expansion there that entails two new landing pads. The original comment is here.
Quote from: old_sellsword on 02/08/2017 02:33 pmThe side boosters are identical in every way, they'll be landing in the same location: LZ-1. In case you missed it, there are now concrete plans for expansion there that entails two new landing pads. The original comment is here.What we don't seem to have in the documents linked from that comment is a timescale for constructing those two new pads. Do we know whether they will be built in time for the first FH launch?
Quote from: rosbif73 on 02/08/2017 02:50 pmQuote from: old_sellsword on 02/08/2017 02:33 pmThe side boosters are identical in every way, they'll be landing in the same location: LZ-1. In case you missed it, there are now concrete plans for expansion there that entails two new landing pads. The original comment is here.What we don't seem to have in the documents linked from that comment is a timescale for constructing those two new pads. Do we know whether they will be built in time for the first FH launch?We don't know that yet. It's possible they wouldn't be built in time (kinda depends on when FH actually launches).
Quote from: gongora on 02/08/2017 03:00 pmQuote from: rosbif73 on 02/08/2017 02:50 pmQuote from: old_sellsword on 02/08/2017 02:33 pmThe side boosters are identical in every way, they'll be landing in the same location: LZ-1. In case you missed it, there are now concrete plans for expansion there that entails two new landing pads. The original comment is here.What we don't seem to have in the documents linked from that comment is a timescale for constructing those two new pads. Do we know whether they will be built in time for the first FH launch?We don't know that yet. It's possible they wouldn't be built in time (kinda depends on when FH actually launches).Has the environmental impact report been finalized yet? That's a very much needed step before anything else remotely related to permits can begin.
Quote from: AncientU on 02/07/2017 08:37 pmQuote from: ATPTourFan on 02/07/2017 08:24 pmWouldn't they have to do a standard fairing payload to satisfy the Air Force qualifications of consecutive successful flights using common configuration?I would think they could do a direct GEO insertion with a mass simulator. That would certainly demonstrate a "talent" few present day launch systems have.Would seem they have sufficient fairing demonstrations to satisfy anyone interested. After center stage drops off, second stage is as already demonstrated dozens of times.Problem with delivering a mass simulator to GEO is what do you do next... leave it there?Exactly. Besides which, the paperwork to get a GEO "slot" assigned takes years; they are limited, much in demand, and subject to a lot of competition among national telecom entities via the ITU. (...)
Quote from: ATPTourFan on 02/07/2017 08:24 pmWouldn't they have to do a standard fairing payload to satisfy the Air Force qualifications of consecutive successful flights using common configuration?I would think they could do a direct GEO insertion with a mass simulator. That would certainly demonstrate a "talent" few present day launch systems have.Would seem they have sufficient fairing demonstrations to satisfy anyone interested. After center stage drops off, second stage is as already demonstrated dozens of times.Problem with delivering a mass simulator to GEO is what do you do next... leave it there?
Wouldn't they have to do a standard fairing payload to satisfy the Air Force qualifications of consecutive successful flights using common configuration?I would think they could do a direct GEO insertion with a mass simulator. That would certainly demonstrate a "talent" few present day launch systems have.
Quote from: BruceM on 02/08/2017 02:22 pmHave seen no discussion on the disposition of the 3 FH first stages. Guess we can assume one will return to LZ1 and OCISLY will catch another. Presumably the third will travel too far east for recovery this time but can still wonder if JRTI were here... -- Has anyone checked the docks in LA?The side boosters are identical in every way, they'll be landing in the same location: LZ-1. In case you missed it, there are now concrete plans for expansion there that entails two new landing pads. The original comment is here.Whether or not the center core can RTLS will be determined by the payload and destination orbit, neither of which are known right now.
Have seen no discussion on the disposition of the 3 FH first stages. Guess we can assume one will return to LZ1 and OCISLY will catch another. Presumably the third will travel too far east for recovery this time but can still wonder if JRTI were here... -- Has anyone checked the docks in LA?
Since the two new adjoining pads will not be ready for that flight...
Quote from: BruceM on 02/08/2017 08:23 pmSince the two new adjoining pads will not be ready for that flight...We don't know that to be the case. Right now the long pole is still pad readiness. Pouring concrete shouldn't take nearly as long as installing six more hold down clamps at 39A.
Its real. It really is real. https://imgur.com/a/Vbxrx#zPdInH5
Quote from: matthewkantar on 02/08/2017 01:49 pmQuote from: Proponent on 02/08/2017 08:23 amI wonder whether SpaceX might worry that a circumlunar Dragon flight, cool though it would be, if it's possible, would embarrass NASA. Not a good idea to embarrass your largest customer.SpaceX is planning to send the same spacecraft all the way to Mars three years from now next year, with help from NASA. Why would there be any embarrassment about a lunar flyby?MatthewThere, fixed that for ya. I've been informed that 2018 is off the table. Remember, 2018 was only a NET.
Quote from: Proponent on 02/08/2017 08:23 amI wonder whether SpaceX might worry that a circumlunar Dragon flight, cool though it would be, if it's possible, would embarrass NASA. Not a good idea to embarrass your largest customer.SpaceX is planning to send the same spacecraft all the way to Mars three years from now next year, with help from NASA. Why would there be any embarrassment about a lunar flyby?Matthew
I wonder whether SpaceX might worry that a circumlunar Dragon flight, cool though it would be, if it's possible, would embarrass NASA. Not a good idea to embarrass your largest customer.
Quote from: old_sellsword on 02/08/2017 08:28 pmQuote from: BruceM on 02/08/2017 08:23 pmSince the two new adjoining pads will not be ready for that flight...We don't know that to be the case. Right now the long pole is still pad readiness. Pouring concrete shouldn't take nearly as long as installing six more hold down clamps at 39A.We heard a while back that they couldn't do any ground clearing during scrub jay nesting season, which is March through June. Unless they get started very soon, the landing pads could still wind up being a constraint.
Is that speculation or confirmed?
From what I see on TerraServer imagery from October, most or all of the needed groundspace is cleared for the North pad, perhaps they are beginning construction now?
