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LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 - NROL-76 - May 1, 2017 - UPDATES
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Mar, 2017 12:15
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#1
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Mar, 2017 12:16
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Update only thread.
Per L2, Static Fire NET is April 12. Pending 39A shakedown report on pad status/repairs required (been holding up great so far).
Launch date NET is April 16 with the window opening at 7am local, for around two hours.
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#2
by
jacqmans
on 07 Apr, 2017 10:21
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Air Force show the Atlas-V as the next launch, so looks like the Falcon is delayed.....
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#3
by
Chris Bergin
on 07 Apr, 2017 13:44
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Yep, we've been waiting for the new date to become documented and now it is via L2 KSC/Cape scheduling.
NET April 30, same window.
Static Fire on April 26.
No reasons given, so likely the payload (which isn't talkative as we're talking about a NROL bird).
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#4
by
Flying Beaver
on 13 Apr, 2017 20:45
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#5
by
stcks
on 14 Apr, 2017 19:59
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#6
by
Targeteer
on 21 Apr, 2017 15:50
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http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2017/0155.htmlThe launch hazard chart for the region near the launch site reveals that the trajectory will follow the northeast coast
of North America; therefore, the target orbit is a quasi-60 degree LEO, or a Molniya.
http://www.patrick.af.mil/Portals/14/documents/Launch%20Hazard%20Area%20Maps/4-30-2017%20LHA.pdf?ver=2017-04-20-154754-750Per my earlier posts in this thread, since the return of the Falcon 9's first stage is targeting the launch site, the
payload is either headed for LEO, or is a fairly low in mass and headed for Molniya.
If LEO, I suspect it is a replacement or follow-on to the experimental USA 193, which was launched on NROL-21, and
failed upon reaching its 58.5 deg, 360 km orbit.
If Molniya, then I suspect it is a new generation of SDS Molniya, built on Boeing's BSS-702SP bus.
Molniya SDS seems more likely.
Ted Molczan
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#7
by
Chris Bergin
on 23 Apr, 2017 13:48
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Static Fire is NET Tuesday.
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#8
by
nisse
on 24 Apr, 2017 07:22
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#9
by
Chris Bergin
on 25 Apr, 2017 10:26
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#10
by
SmallKing
on 25 Apr, 2017 14:07
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#11
by
Chris Bergin
on 25 Apr, 2017 15:59
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Test window is now open, for six hours. No sign of venting yet, so may be a while off....but it's rare they fire up as the window opens during a Static Fire test.
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#12
by
Chris Bergin
on 25 Apr, 2017 17:53
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For those staring at the webcast and scanning for venting, L2's latest is a T-0 of 3pm local (7pm UTC), meaning prop load should be soon. They aren't understood to be working issues, just behind on the timeline.
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#13
by
edkyle99
on 25 Apr, 2017 18:33
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Venting visible as of around 2:30 PM EDT. From the pad if not from the vehicle. (The view is obstructed.)
- Ed Kyle
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#14
by
Orbiter
on 25 Apr, 2017 18:51
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Venting can be seen by the RSS. 9 minutes away from 3pm.
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#15
by
Flying Beaver
on 25 Apr, 2017 19:00
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One more big vent from S2 location.
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#16
by
Chris Bergin
on 25 Apr, 2017 19:02
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#17
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 25 Apr, 2017 19:08
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#18
by
Flying Beaver
on 25 Apr, 2017 19:22
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#19
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 25 Apr, 2017 19:41
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