Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Iridium NEXT - Jan 14, 2017 (17:54 UTC)- UPDATES (Read 227075 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 12/01/2016 09:46 pm »

UPDATE ONLY THREAD for the Falcon 9 launch with Iridium NEXT sats.

Flight 1: NET Jan - on Falcon 9 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg

NSF Threads for Iridium NEXT Flight 1: Discussion / Updates / L2 Coverage (Flight 1) / ASDS / Party / Viewing the flight from Vandenberg

NSF Articles for Iridium NEXT Flight 1:
Booster Prep: SpaceX conducts Falcon 9 test; AMOS-6 investigation narrows (the booster being readied in that article was actually for Iridium)
Booster Prep: SpaceX prime Falcon 9 rockets for December return
Pre-Launch: SpaceX set to return to action with RTF Falcon 9 launch of Iridium spacecraft
Launch: SpaceX Returns To Flight with Iridium NEXT launch – and landing
Booster Recovery: Landed Falcon 9 booster sails into Los Angeles

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Iridium and SpaceX Successfully Complete Dispenser Qualification Tests

Trio of Tests Prove Structural Integrity and Durability of Launch Equipment

Iridium Communications Inc. IRDM +0.01% and SpaceX today announced the successful completion of dispenser qualification testing for the Iridium NEXT constellation. The dispenser is the mission-unique assembly that holds the satellites during launch and manages the perfectly timed separation of each satellite from the rocket, placing each of the satellites into its proper orbit. The testing program, a key milestone in the Iridium NEXT constellation build, included four types of testing on the satellite dispenser: fit check, separation and shock testing, a modal survey, and static loads testing. Overall the tests ensure launch shock environment, mechanical form, fit and function, separation dynamics, fundamental frequency and structural integrity.

SpaceX is charged with delivering the majority of satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation into their low Earth orbit. At each launch, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry 10 satellites. In total, SpaceX will launch 70 satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation over a planned period of two years. Iridium is SpaceX's largest commercial customer, and, with an investment of $453.1 million, the Iridium deal represents the largest single commercial space launch contract in history.
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Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
SpaceX News Articles (Recent) / SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
SpaceX Dragon Articles / SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
L2 SpaceX Section

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REMEMBER: This is an update only thread. Please use the discussion thread for questions and non official links.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/01/2016 09:48 pm »

Most relevant (and from December 1) update, per the NET and T-0 target...all pending the AMOS-6 investigation being signed off.

Iridium:

Iridium Announces Date for First Iridium NEXT Launch
SpaceX Set for First Launch of Iridium's Next-Generation Global Satellite Constellation
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today the date for the first launch of its next-generation global satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. Iridium will be launching on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on December 16, 2016 at 12:36 p.m. PST. Launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Falcon 9 rocket will deliver 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into low-earth orbit.

This launch is contingent upon the FAA's approval of SpaceX's return to flight following the anomaly that occurred on September 1, 2016 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The investigation has been conducted with FAA oversight. Iridium expects to be SpaceX's first return to flight launch customer.

"We're excited to launch the first batch of our new satellite constellation. We have remained confident in SpaceX's ability as a launch partner throughout the Falcon 9 investigation," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer at Iridium. "We are grateful for their transparency and hard work to plan for their return to flight. We are looking forward to the inaugural launch of Iridium NEXT, and what will begin a new chapter in our history."

Iridium NEXT will replace the world's largest commercial satellite network of low-earth orbit satellites in what will be one of the largest "tech upgrades" in history. Iridium has partnered with Thales Alenia Space for the manufacturing, assembly and testing of 81 Iridium NEXT satellites, at least 70 of which will be launched by SpaceX. The process of replacing the satellites one-by-one in a constellation of this size and scale has never been completed before.

"We are looking forward to return to flight with the first Iridium NEXT launch," said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX. "Iridium has been a great partner for nearly a decade, and we appreciate their working with us to put their first 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into orbit."

Iridium NEXT will enable the development of new and innovative products and solutions across Iridium's vast partner ecosystem. Additionally, Iridium CertusSM, Iridium's next-generation multi-service communications platform enabled by Iridium NEXT, will deliver faster speeds and higher throughputs across multiple industry verticals. A service of this quality and value is unprecedented in the industry, and is poised to disrupt the current market status quo. Currently, the service is set to be commercially available in 2017 and is undergoing testing on Iridium's existing network.

Iridium's primary launch campaign consists of seven SpaceX Falcon 9 launches, deploying ten Iridium NEXT satellites at a time. These 70 Iridium NEXT satellites are scheduled to be deployed by early 2018. For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.iridium.com.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

ChrisC · « **Reply #2 on:** 12/03/2016 02:25 pm »

This Iridium tweet is from Dec 1st, same as the proper press release shown above, but just for the record:

https://twitter.com/IridiumComm/status/804301527720534016

Quote

Iridium NEXT first launch date set for Dec 16 at 12:36 PST, pending regulatory approvals #NEXTevolution

feynmanrules · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/07/2016 12:08 am »

Quote

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
Industry officials: looks like SpaceX return to flight w/ 10 IRDM sats from VAFB will slip into early January. Had been set for Dec 16.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/806259747183820800

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/07/2016 12:58 am »

Was working this and SpaceX have ruled out December 16 (I asked SpaceX)....but there's no official new launch date target, so likely January.

eweilow · « **Reply #5 on:** 12/07/2016 02:48 pm »

Official update:

Quote

We are finalizing the investigation into our September 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1. This allows for additional time to close-out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch.

http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #6 on:** 12/16/2016 08:46 pm »

Picture of Iridium,s booster at Vandenberg

https://mobile.twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/809869365046808576

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 12/16/2016 08:50 pm »

There's a NET January 7 placeholder (L2)....again pending FAA, processing flow, good static fire and LRR.

docmordrid · « **Reply #8 on:** 12/25/2016 08:00 pm »

Matt Desch @IridiumBoss
Our first 10 #IridiumNEXT satellites are all fueled now, tucked in and dreaming of flying in space. Very. Soon. Happy Holidays!
10:29 AM - 25 Dec 2016

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #9 on:** 12/25/2016 09:05 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 12/25/2016 08:00 pm

Matt Desch @IridiumBoss
Our first 10 #IridiumNEXT satellites are all fueled now, tucked in and dreaming of flying in space. Very. Soon. Happy Holidays!
10:29 AM - 25 Dec 2016

Picture of fairing design attached to that tweet.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 12/27/2016 07:42 pm »

IridiumIR ‏@IridiumIR 12m12 minutes ago
Satellites have been fueled, pressurized & dispenser tiers are being stacked as we move closer to first launch #IridiumNEXT #NEXTevolution

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #11 on:** 12/29/2016 09:23 pm »

Iridium Corporate - Twitter

Milestone Alert: The first ten #IridiumNEXT satellites are stacked and encapsulated in the Falcon 9 fairing. #NEXTevolution @SpaceX

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #12 on:** 12/31/2016 04:34 pm »

Iriduim CEO Matt Decsh on Twitter

Nice recap. https://t.co/NuOBHxHvKs. Sorry for mystery about the date - approvals take a bit longer on a RTF. Getting it right!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #13 on:** 01/02/2017 10:30 am »

Static Fire target is NET Tuesday. Could be an announcement from SpaceX today. Looking like a Sunday target for launch...won't update the thread until SpaceX provide the forward plan.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #14 on:** 01/02/2017 12:08 pm »

Tuesday 3rd and Sunday 8th.

Beittil · « **Reply #15 on:** 01/02/2017 01:10 pm »

The word is out!

Quote

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX 9m9 minutes ago

Targeting return to flight from Vandenberg with the @IridiumComm NEXT launch on January 8. Update:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/815920600258490370

Tweet also contains a link to the anomaly update page with an extensive update:
http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates
(jpo234 placed the text in Amos-6 topic)

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #16 on:** 01/02/2017 01:36 pm »

Quote

“Iridium is pleased with SpaceX’s announcement and targeted launch date of January 8 for the first #IridiumNEXT launch. #NEXTevolution

https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/815922460612763650

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 01/02/2017 01:48 pm »

Article - yeah, I had already written it, was just waiting for the SpaceX release

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/spacex-return-rtf-falcon-9-iridium-spacecraft/

Cool Nathan L2 render to lead it.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 01/02/2017 02:21 pm »

And a reminder, this is for updates only. Moved one post to discussion - lost another (sorry, fat fingers - but it was a short post

)

Per updates, next thing to look out for is rollout, no earlier than tomorrow (Tuesday) for the Static Fire.

gongora · « **Reply #19 on:** 01/02/2017 02:55 pm »

Tweet from Matt Desch:

Quote

Our date is now public. Next Sunday morning, Jan 8 at 10:28:07 pst. Iridium NEXT launch #1 flies!

So that should be 18:28:07 UTC