SpaceX Falcon 9 : GPS III-3 : Cape Canaveral : June 30, 2020

[Eosterwine]

I cant find a ground track for this launch, is there one?

[Scylla]

I cant find a ground track for this launch, is there one?

Try this.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1IDaH4FjeWQAh4d2rDf8QD99A1ELP-W1W&ll=30.16415377222276%2C-77.26975828656856&z=6

[Eosterwine]

Interesting, thanks

[ZachS09]

What are the orbital elements after SECO-1 and SECO-2?

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/29/u-s-military-makes-adjustments-in-gps-launch-to-allow-for-spacex-booster-landing/

Targeted orbit is 402 by 20,197 kilometers inclined 55 degrees.

[gongora]

Some articles are mentioning a discount of a few million dollars for the contract changes to allow booster recovery on this flight.  There was a contract modification last September that lowered the value by $9.5M.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

A rare sighting of a clean booster

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1277993989594062848

LAUNCH UPDATE: #SpaceX's F9 booster 1060.1 sits on the pad awaiting launch this afternoon. The mission will deploy the GPS III satellite for the @SpaceForceDoD & then will attempt landing on JRTI off the coast of N Carolina. Its a nice change to see a clean booster.  #NASA 🚀📷

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1278009825205551107

SpaceX's GPS III shows off her colors sitting on the pad this morning. The mission will deploy the satellite for Space Force/CCAFS later on this afternoon. #NASA #SpaceX @SpaceForceDoD #Space

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1278007966877331462

Join the @NASASpaceflight team for coverage of todays Falcon 9 launch of GPS III on board a squeaky clean B1060. Links below so you can read up before the livestream.

Article: nasaspaceflight.com/2020/06/spacex…
Forum discussion: forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topi…

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1278008298135072769

It’s rare anymore that we get to see a brand new Falcon 9 booster. Say hello to B1060.
Of note, the upper stage has a gray band of thermal insulation to help maintain the proper fuel temp during a coast phase that will last almost an hour.

[mainmind]

A rare sighting of a clean booster

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1277993989594062848

LAUNCH UPDATE: #SpaceX's F9 booster 1060.1 sits on the pad awaiting launch this afternoon. The mission will deploy the GPS III satellite for the @SpaceForceDoD & then will attempt landing on JRTI off the coast of N Carolina. Its a nice change to see a clean booster.  #NASA 🚀📷

https://twitter.com/gregscott_photo/status/1278009825205551107

SpaceX's GPS III shows off her colors sitting on the pad this morning. The mission will deploy the satellite for Space Force/CCAFS later on this afternoon. #NASA #SpaceX @SpaceForceDoD #Space

Any ideas about the gray section on the second stage? Different thermal protection?

[gongora]

Any ideas about the gray section on the second stage? Different thermal protection?

Thermal control for the coast phase (keeps propellant a little warmer)

[Ronsmytheiii]

Weather conditions:

https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/chan7large.jpg

[FutureSpaceTourist]

NSF Live coverage is live!

[SpaceDave]

Launch pushed to end of window

[Ronsmytheiii]

Hmm, some yellow conditions?

[Steven Pietrobon]

NSF need to update their countdown clock.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-50 minutes. NSF have updated their clock.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-38 minutes. The SpaceX Launch Director should be verifying go for propellant load about now.

[Chris Bergin]

Upper Level Winds is a concern.

[SpaceDave]

UL winds currently in violation but GO for prop loading

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-35 minutes. First and second stage RP-1 and first stage LOX loading should be starting about now.

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1278049470639296512