SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E : Feb 22, 2018 : DISCUSSION

[cscott]

It may be that JRtI is still missing parts. With OCISLY reportedly damaged (although apparently not in a hugely visible way, if the reports from Port Canaveral are correct), they may want to continue cannibalizing JRtI to ensure that OCISLY can do its next mission, rather than move the earth to get JRtI seaworthy to catch a core they don't particularly want to keep.

[saliva_sweet]

It may be that JRtI is still missing parts.

If it is (which was proposed as the reason they didn't recover 1036 for the second time), it would probably not be because the barges use some rare and unique parts that take months upon months to acquire, but because they haven't bothered.

[pb2000]

If Block 3 & 4's have been flown and recovered successfully; how many times can they be reused? Just the once again? If so, I suppose they are excellent candidates for expendable missions.

Back when SpaceX just had a few recovered boosters in the barn, they were talking several reuses per booster, but now that they have more than they know what to do with, it's shifted to one reuse on a used LEO booster. Block 5 is suppose to be 10 flights (extendable with refurb), but that's heavily dependent on how many pervious flights customers are willing to accept.

Agreed, 10 flights is an aspirational goal.  I think we will have to wait to see how many they can do.

Engine life might be determining factor. 

Anything more than 1 and done is huge though.

SpaceX has now achieved what, 8 successful reflights, without a single mishap ?

Engines can be ground tested. Remember that SpaceX took one of the landed boosters and burned them to mission duration how many times ? I think it was 7 additional full duration test firings.
That was a Block II. 10x flights will be Block V only. With all the lessons learned incorporated.
I think they know what they're doing. Lets not second guess them, ok ?
Its so easy to second guess everything.
We can keep showing concern for this or that, ignoring the fact that they have the data and we don't.

And what matters isn't what happens to the first and second Block V, but what happens after they get through the first few dozen launches.
The first few ones will be put through big scrutinity until they actually do inspect and release.

I don't think 10 reflights is aspirational. Its based on solid engineering and data. Data that nobody posting on NSF L1 has access to.

I also think SpaceX haven't flown the same booster 3 or 4x because they don't need to. They have way too many old launch contracts that just don't give them the flexibility to assign a flown booster for that launch, so they ended up with a large fleet of only once flown boosters. Many (was some) customers are demanding higher discounts that SpaceX is willing to give them.

I apologize for being a little harsh. But its just too easy to question everything up to the minute until SpaceX succeeds in another one of its goals. Then crickets.

Edits: Toned down my language as the quoted post did put me a bit too much on edge, added proper data on reuse and corrected spelling.

I think you misinterpreted slightly. We were discussing if 1: Would most customers be comfortable flying on a heavily used booster, when they could just pay a bit more for booster on it's second or third flight and 2: Can SpaceX actually make 10 flights on the gas and go model before major refurbishment?

That being said, gongora is correct, so if you'd like to discuss it further, we should find another thread for it.

This is a mission thread. If your discussion isn't about the PAZ mission then another thread may be more appropriate.

[Klebiano]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

[gongora]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

Nope.

[AncientU]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

Nope.

Maybe first image will be when fairings jettison, or spacecraft release... but that could be blocked for competition reasons, too.

[ZachF]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

SpaceX is keeping Starlink close to the chest. You wont hear anything more than the necessary minimum until it's ready to go.

[Robotbeat]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

SpaceX is keeping Starlink close to the chest. You wont hear anything more than the necessary minimum until it's ready to go.

Elon was asked about Starlink during the FH prelaunch press conference, and he (sounding rather annoyed/angry) quickly redirected to Falcon Heavy.

[wannamoonbase]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

SpaceX is keeping Starlink close to the chest. You wont hear anything more than the necessary minimum until it's ready to go.

Elon was asked about Starlink during the FH prelaunch press conference, and he (sounding rather annoyed/angry) quickly redirected to Falcon Heavy.

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

[IanThePineapple]

Is there any image of Microsat 2a and 2b? Seems like a very important thing that SpaceX is not publicising.

SpaceX is keeping Starlink close to the chest. You wont hear anything more than the necessary minimum until it's ready to go.

Elon was asked about Starlink during the FH prelaunch press conference, and he (sounding rather annoyed/angry) quickly redirected to Falcon Heavy.

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

Well, they have their own separate facility for sat building, unlike Tesla and the Model 3. Tesla has to work around the S, X and soon Semi production lines

[Tomness]

Elon was asked about Starlink during the FH prelaunch press conference, and he (sounding rather annoyed/angry) quickly redirected to Falcon Heavy.

I would be too, it was FH day, she deserved the thunder, but I guess that would  be one of few times they could ask about BFR & Starlink

[Robotbeat]

He seemed pretty happy to answer questions about BFR, and even talked about lunar Dragon (and how it may be put on hold). The reaction to Starlink is notable. IMHO, they're trying not to spook customers or tip off competitors.

[Eerie]

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

Don't they just have one competitor, OneWeb?

[cscott]

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

Don't they just have one competitor, OneWeb?

If successful they will be competing with Iridium, who is also one of their best customers.

...not to mention that every geostationary satellite they launch is a comm sat, and every one of those customers could also be considered a competitor to a new comm sat network.

[Eerie]

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

Don't they just have one competitor, OneWeb?

If successful they will be competing with Iridium, who is also one of their best customers.

...not to mention that every geostationary satellite they launch is a comm sat, and every one of those customers could also be considered a competitor to a new comm sat network.

I'm pretty sure all of them are aware of Starlink already.

[John Alan]

They have no need or interest in disclosing any information on this program.  To many competitors and to many billions at stake.

If they get to production, hopefully they'll ramp satellite production better than Tesla has with the Model 3.

Don't they just have one competitor, OneWeb?

If successful they will be competing with Iridium, who is also one of their best customers.

...not to mention that every geostationary satellite they launch is a comm sat, and every one of those customers could also be considered a competitor to a new comm sat network.

I'm pretty sure all of them are aware of Starlink already.

Truth is... Starlink has the potential (long term) to put them ALL out of business... 
BUT... that's off topic... for this thread about a launch next week... 

[AC in NC]

Don't they just have one competitor, OneWeb?

If successful they will be competing with Iridium, who is also one of their best customers.

I found very compelling a bit of speculation I saw during that twitter dustup over Zuma.  Someone remarked the Iridum boss looked like he might be auditioning for Starlink CEO.

[AncientU]

Starlink launching will be just one additional forcing function on an industry which is changing and consolidating.  SES is also a big customer, arguably their best, who will be a major player in the shake-out.  Ultimately, it may be the holders of best spectrum and best technology who dominate the market.  This tech demo will be first chance to see what Starlink will be offering (if anything is disclosed).

[cuddihy]

Tweet from Airbus Space:

Spanish radar #satellite #PAZ, built by @AirbusSpace, to be launched on the 17th of Feb. with a @SpaceX #Falcon9 rocket.

Is it just my screen or is the red in this picture EXTREMELY boosted? At least the two folks in the foreground look like they are wearing red wigs. Anyway, it’s an interesting perspective on the satellite.

*edit* so they’re wearing hairnets that happen to be red...oops guess it was just my screen, as in I should have looked closer

It’s still an interesting picture, the aspect of the satellite is extremely narrow. SAR antenna needs to be that way?

[bluemars1]

they're wearing red hair nets