Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 - NROL-76 - May 1, 2017 - UPDATES (Read 184870 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 03/31/2017 12:15 pm »

UPDATES ONLY Thread for the launch of NROL-76 mission.

NSF Threads for NROL-76 : Discussion / Updates / L2 March/April 2017 / ASDS / Party
NSF Articles for NROL-76 :
SpaceX Static Fire spy sat rocket and prepare to test Falcon Heavy core
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches first NRO mission with NROL-76
Successful launch on May 1, 2017 at 7:15am EDT (1115 UTC). First stage, core 1032, landed at LZ-1.

Start here for attempt 2:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42639.140

Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
SpaceX News Articles (Recent) / SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
SpaceX Dragon Articles / SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
L2 SpaceX Section

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/31/2017 12:16 pm »

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.

jacqmans · « **Reply #2 on:** 04/07/2017 10:21 am »

Air Force show the Atlas-V as the next launch, so looks like the Falcon is delayed.....

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/07/2017 01:44 pm »

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).

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #4 on:** 04/13/2017 08:45 pm »

Looks like we have rollback into the HIF for the Strongback and Launch Table, per Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1lppZAYXU/?tagged=spacex

Good progress given 1 1/2 weeks to Static Fire.

stcks · « **Reply #5 on:** 04/14/2017 07:59 pm »

TEL back at the pad: https://www.instagram.com/p/BS37Bc1jxhp/

Targeteer · « **Reply #6 on:** 04/21/2017 03:50 pm »

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2017/0155.html

The 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=2017-04-20-154754-750

Per 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

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/23/2017 01:48 pm »

Static Fire is NET Tuesday.

nisse · « **Reply #8 on:** 04/24/2017 07:22 am »

Next ship leaving port.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 04/25/2017 10:26 am »

Article for the Static Fire (and FH testing).

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/spacex-static-fire-tests-spy-sat-rocket-falcon-heavy-core/

SmallKing · « **Reply #10 on:** 04/25/2017 02:07 pm »

F9 is vertical

http://original.livestream.com/spaceflightnow

Better link added.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #11 on:** 04/25/2017 03:59 pm »

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.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #12 on:** 04/25/2017 05:53 pm »

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.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #13 on:** 04/25/2017 06:33 pm »

Venting visible as of around 2:30 PM EDT. From the pad if not from the vehicle. (The view is obstructed.)

- Ed Kyle

Orbiter · « **Reply #14 on:** 04/25/2017 06:51 pm »

Venting can be seen by the RSS. 9 minutes away from 3pm.

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #15 on:** 04/25/2017 07:00 pm »

One more big vent from S2 location.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 04/25/2017 07:02 pm »

STATIC FIRE!!
http://original.livestream.com/spaceflightnow

Next: Quick look data review.
SpaceX usually tweet if that looked good.
Then preps to LRR.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #17 on:** 04/25/2017 07:08 pm »

Quote

F9/NROL76: Hot-fire test conducted at ~3:02pm EDT; not as much smoke as usual, but that could be due to wind/direction

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/856947412505694208

Flying Beaver · « **Reply #18 on:** 04/25/2017 07:22 pm »

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/856950895388401664?s=04

"Static fire test complete. Targeting Falcon 9 launch of NROL-76 on Sunday, April 30."

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #19 on:** 04/25/2017 07:41 pm »

Bit higher-res shot