SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Discussion

[Lars-J]

Here is a comparison: (not exact but eye-balled)
 

B5 image from update thread, source: https://twitter.com/Craig_VG/status/994555906280116225

[input~2]

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
102007Z TO 102314Z MAY, ALTERNATE
112009Z TO 112313Z MAY IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-39N 080-39W, 28-40N 080-37W,
28-40N 080-00W, 28-37N 079-45W,
28-35N 079-45W, 28-33N 079-48W,
28-32N 080-08W, 28-33N 080-37W.
B. 28-34N 076-00W, 28-36N 072-14W,
28-29N 071-50W, 27-55N 071-50W,
27-45N 072-35W, 28-20N 076-00W..
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120013Z MAY 18.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE 072001Z MAY 18.

Date: 072145Z MAY 18
Cancel: 12001300 May 18

[JimO]

So we're looking at stage-2 second burn well into Earth shadow, so little chance of illuminated plume visibility from surface [or on-orbit]  observers?

[mtakala24]

Removed posts from the Update thread about a well-known replay-as-live Youtube channel; now it showed a previous Falcon 9 launch feed as live. Please take note to verify the credibility of the stream links!

[IanThePineapple]

I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.

[theinternetftw]

I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.

Yep, looks like that beam is new.  From reference photos I have, it must have been installed between 2018-04-07 and 2018-05-04.

[jpo234]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

[pospa]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

[schaban]

FH as well.

[RedLineTrain]

Would be very interested in the audio of the Musk press conference, if anybody recorded it.

[RoboGoofers]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

[ennisj]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

And some customers may insist on a new booster.

[deruch]

I just noticed in the up-close shots that it looks like they're beginning to build the "in-between" level on the FSS where the CAA will be. It's the second level down from the top, there's already a beam in place there.

Yep, looks like that beam is new.  From reference photos I have, it must have been installed between 2018-04-07 and 2018-05-04.

Also, that platform sticking out to the side is new.

[Zed_Noir]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

The 30 to 50 B5 cores is a fall back plan to deploy the Starlink Constellation in case the BFR got delay.

Storing them is not a big issue. SX got all that unused crawlway to put up some core storage sheds.

[niwax]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

He said one Booster may have 10 launches by next year. So two or three boosters per pad makes 6 - 10 in active fleet and a few more in FH integration, spread out over a few years.

[geza]

Help me out here: Elon said that they will build 30 to 50 additional boosters and that there will be another 300 F9 launches. That would mean only 10 launches per booster. What about 10 launches, inspection and another 10 launches?

Some of the launches might be expendable, maybee.

And some customers may insist on a new booster.

In principle, 3 copies of F9 would be enough for the 300 launches. However, only time will tell, whether a stage lasts for 100 launches in reality. They cannot just produce 3 stages and shut down the production line. Moreover, they will start the no-inspection fast turnaround operation only next year. Initially, a launched stage will not be available to the next launch. Therefore they will have to use a new stage often even if customers would be happy with the flight-proved ones.

[inventodoc]

What's this about a 'thermal protection felt' as opposed to 'cork' as mentioned in webcast? Anyone with insights on this?

[rst]

What i wonder is where are they going to put 30-50 F9s? they only have 3 pads, soon 4. What's the point of 24 hr turn around if you have 10 other rockets ready to launch?

We're drifting here -- but the point is minimizing total operations and touch time required to recycle the booster; however much of that you're doing, you have to pay for it.

(KSC range safety is trying to ramp up to a capacity of 48 launches per year -- an average rate of less than one a week -- and they aren't there yet.  And their private site, at Boca Chica, is currently licensed for only another 12 launches per year.  So they can't be planning to launch Block 5 daily regardless; it's just that the timing constraints are no longer coming from the rocket itself.)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/03/air-force-reveals-48-launches-year-cape/

[Joffan]

Looks like a dismal old evening out at the landing barge.

[Comga]

Very interesting - constant thrust of 190klb all the way up rather than constant chamber pressure.

Commentator says first stage Merlins will be throttled to maintain 190,000 lbs of thrust as the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
This seems like half an explanation.  Why would that help?