Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : GPS III-3 : Cape Canaveral : June 30, 2020 (Read 142093 times)

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #240 on:** 06/30/2020 09:40 pm »

Separation!

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #241 on:** 06/30/2020 09:41 pm »

Both fairings recovered.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #242 on:** 06/30/2020 09:41 pm »

Wrapping up coverage.

ugordan · « **Reply #243 on:** 06/30/2020 09:41 pm »

Lot's of radiation noise specks now visible in the forward-looking camera on account the high altitude.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #244 on:** 06/30/2020 09:42 pm »

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1278081400135127041

Thanks to Steven for the coverage!

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #245 on:** 06/30/2020 09:42 pm »

End of webcast.

Congratulations to the USSF and SpaceX for the successful launch!

Lars-J · « **Reply #246 on:** 06/30/2020 10:33 pm »

The stage looked remarkably clean at landing - the cleanest yet?

I joined the stream late (and had to mute most of the broadcast), was there a mention of some new paint layer on the stage to minimize soot attachment?

pb2000 · « **Reply #247 on:** 06/30/2020 10:35 pm »

https://twitter.com/LockheedMartin/status/1278089112491352065

Quote

Mission success! #GPSIII has separated from #Falcon9 and is using onboard power to climb to orbit. Congrats
@SpaceForceDoD @AF_SMC @45thSpaceWing @SpaceX and the team!

Norm38 · « **Reply #248 on:** 06/30/2020 11:00 pm »

It does look cleaner than the last brand new booster.
Welcome to the SpaceX fleet B1060!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #249 on:** 06/30/2020 11:46 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1278107197575245826

Quote

Falcon 9 launches its first mission for the @SpaceForceDoD

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #250 on:** 07/01/2020 01:09 am »

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1278118891764568068

Quote

The raw power of leaving Earth.
It was a beautiful day to watch a satellite that will benefit many be delivered for the @SpaceForceDoD.
#GPSIII #SpaceX

https://twitter.com/dtrford/status/1278117157923102720

Quote

A close up shot of the Merlin 1D+ engines! This is the first Space Force mission for SpaceX. Last time SpaceX launched a next-gen GPS III satellite they expended the first stage booster, but this time they were able to stick a landing. SpaceX continues to impress.

#SpaceX

JimO · « **Reply #251 on:** 07/01/2020 01:56 am »

Were the orbit raise burns and the stage2 deorbit burns possibly visible from anywhere on the ground?

gongora · « **Reply #252 on:** 07/01/2020 02:19 am »

Quote from: JimO on 07/01/2020 01:56 am

Were the orbit raise burns and the stage2 deorbit burns possibly visible from anywhere on the ground?

The orbit raise burn was a bit south of Tasmania, so a little doubtful. The second stage is due to reenter south of South Africa in the next hour or so.

nzguy · « **Reply #253 on:** 07/01/2020 02:26 am »

Which GPS satellite is this one going to replace?

AndrewRG10 · « **Reply #254 on:** 07/01/2020 02:36 am »

Quote from: Lars-J on 06/30/2020 10:33 pm

The stage looked remarkably clean at landing - the cleanest yet?

I joined the stream late (and had to mute most of the broadcast), was there a mention of some new paint layer on the stage to minimize soot attachment?

I don't see a difference compared to other Block 5 boosters after flight 1. Looks almost identical to B1046 after her maiden flight. B1056 on her maiden flight is definitely still the cleanest because she had rain wash her down as she returned to port.

Quote from: gongora on 07/01/2020 02:19 am

Quote from: JimO on 07/01/2020 01:56 am
Were the orbit raise burns and the stage2 deorbit burns possibly visible from anywhere on the ground?

The orbit raise burn was a bit south of Tasmania, so a little doubtful. The second stage is due to reenter south of South Africa in the next hour or so.

The last one was seen from Melbourne I believe but the stage was three times higher and it was nighttime on the ground. Today it was morning so nothing to see.

JimO · « **Reply #255 on:** 07/01/2020 03:01 am »

Thanks, I've been collecting ground observations to develop pattern of performance variations, see p. 6 at http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/181007-stage2_deorbit.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2mlOxqlh2p-6wE4IFmbUNwqaFVH7XIHnVq2bVDoj3q3A7RF4alwKNrCoo

and

http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/191111-spacex_pdf1.pdf

nzguy · « **Reply #256 on:** 07/01/2020 03:24 am »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 07/01/2020 03:17 am

Quote from: nzguy on 07/01/2020 02:26 am
Which GPS satellite is this one going to replace?
U.S. military makes adjustments in GPS launch to allow for SpaceX booster landing, dated June 29
GPS III-3 replacing GPS IIR-4 at Plane E, slot 4.
Unknown if the older satellite will be retired or moved to another orbital slot.

Looking at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/current.pdf once IIR-4 is replaced that leaves SVN-44/IIR-5 as the last non-L2C capable satellite in a base constellation slot.

Assuming IIR-4 goes to slot B3 then towards end of the year we should have dual-freq civilian signals available everywhere.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #257 on:** 07/01/2020 03:51 am »

Are any TLEs for GPS-III 3 yet?

gongora · « **Reply #258 on:** 07/01/2020 04:05 am »

Quote from: ZachS09 on 07/01/2020 03:51 am

Are any TLEs for GPS-III 3 yet?

1 45854U 20041A 20182.93178965 +.00000123 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 9990
2 45854 055.0053 120.1740 5938126 269.9197 067.4712 04.03890398000009

ZachS09 · « **Reply #259 on:** 07/01/2020 04:13 am »

Looks like this indicates the orbital inclination is ~55.01 degrees with the apogee being ~20,183 kilometers.

Where's the perigee number located on the TLE?