Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Formosat-5 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : Aug 24, 2017 : UPDATES (Read 94903 times)

jacqmans · « **on:** 07/19/2017 08:37 am »

UPDATE thread for Formosat-5 mission.

NSF Threads for Formosat-5 : Discussion / Updates / L2 Coverage July-August / ASDS / Party
NSF Articles for Formosat-5:
SpaceX to static fire Formosat-5 Falcon 9, aims for another ASDS landing
Falcon 9 successfully launches Taiwan’s Formosat-5

Successful launch on August 24 at 1151 PDT/1851 UTC on Falcon 9 (core 1038) from SLC-4E at Vandenberg. Successful ASDS landing.

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

jacqmans · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/19/2017 08:38 am »

SpaceX Opens Media Accreditation for FORMOSAT-5 Mission

Media Contact: John Taylor
[email protected]
310.363.6703

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – July 18, 2017. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's FORMOSAT-5 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch is targeted for no earlier than August 24.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will deliver FORMOSAT-5 to a low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Members of the media who are foreign nationals and interested in covering the launch must fill out this media accreditation form by no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 24.

Members of the media who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident (green card holders) and interested in covering the launch must fill out this media accreditation form by no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 21.

For launches from SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base security decides which media are credentialed to cover launches, not SpaceX. Please keep in mind, simply making the request in a timely fashion does not guarantee the request will be granted. Please be sure to provide all the information included on the SpaceX form.

More details on the mission and pre-launch media activities will be made available closer to launch.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 08/16/2017 02:09 pm »

Static Fire NET Saturday.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #3 on:** 08/18/2017 09:01 pm »

Falcon 9 confirmed via L2 as on her SLC-4E pad for the Static Fire test on Saturday.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #4 on:** 08/19/2017 09:42 am »

The long Static Fire test window opens at midday local (7pm UTC). Chris Gebhardt article incoming.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #5 on:** 08/19/2017 12:50 pm »

Article for the Static Fire (and more) by Chris Gebhardt:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/spacex-static-fire-formosat-5-falcon-9-asds-landing/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #6 on:** 08/19/2017 06:28 pm »

All proceeding to plan. Prop loading.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 08/19/2017 07:05 pm »

STATIC FIRE! Falcon 9 fires up! *WAIT* for SpaceX tweet to confirm good test via quick look review.

Status is L2 information. Waiting for additional to say it is classed as a good test. EDIT: And that's in. Looks good!

.... And then we get the official confirmation via SpaceX themselves usually via Twitter.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #8 on:** 08/19/2017 07:46 pm »

And there you go...
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/898994055870267393
SpaceX:
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting launch of FORMOSAT-5 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg AFB on August 24.

Targeteer · « **Reply #9 on:** 08/19/2017 08:49 pm »

30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.) Facebook
Just now ·

A small fire on South Base started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today. At this time it does not pose a threat to any of the base populace or major infrastructure. Updates will be posted here.

Targeteer · « **Reply #10 on:** 08/19/2017 10:01 pm »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday August 19, 2017
Release No. 201708-001

WILDLAND FIRE AT VANDENBERG
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A small fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today.

The fire, named the Spring Fire, is affecting 3 acres, presently it does not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.

Seven fire engines are on-site including hand-crews, bulldozers, and air assets.

More information to follow as the situation develops.

Targeteer · « **Reply #11 on:** 08/19/2017 10:18 pm »

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Additional fire crews are fighting a small fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base that started shortly after 12:00 p.m. today.

Presently the Spring Fire, is affecting 10 acres, and it does not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.

Hot-shot crews from Santa Barbara County and U.S. Forest Service are on the scene.

Seven fire engines including three bulldozers, and three air assets are on-site.

More information to follow as the situation develops.

Michael Baylor · « **Reply #12 on:** 08/19/2017 11:32 pm »

80% contained now.

"VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The wildland fire on south Vandenberg Air Force Base is 80% contained and crews are mopping up hot spots.
First reported, shortly after 12:00 p.m. today, the Spring Canyon Fire was immediately attacked by fire crews from Vandenberg, Santa Barbara County, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Additionally, 14 fire engines along with seven bulldozers, four tenders, and four air assets were used to battle the fire.
Confined to 10 acres, it did not pose any danger to the base populace or infrastructure.
More information to follow as the situation develops."

Michael Baylor · « **Reply #13 on:** 08/20/2017 05:44 am »

"It was not immediately clear if it was one blaze or two, since firefighters initially were referring to both the Spring Fire and Falcon Fire."

"The blaze reportedly was near Space Launch Complex-4, where Falcon rocket crews successfully conducted a static fire test Saturday of the booster’s first-stage motor, according to the company’s Twitter page."

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article168212347.html

Raul · « **Reply #14 on:** 08/22/2017 10:54 am »

Formosat-5 Launch Hazard Areas together with second stage debris area.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #15 on:** 08/23/2017 01:38 am »

Launch weather forecast issued on L-2, 100% GO!

Edit: forecast summary below

Quote

T-0 Forecast: The subtropical ridge will be the dominant feature tomorrow with the marine layer influence present over the range. Cooling overnight and sustained northwesterly flow will allow the marine layer to move in over the range and linger on the coastal areas, bringing low shallow stratus and fog through the count. By T-0, the marine layer will break out, the stratus will be clearing out and visibility restrictions lifted. Winds will be onshore through the count with T-0 winds out of the west- northwest at 10 - 15 knots. Temperatures will range from 63 - 68F and max upper-level winds will be from the southwest at 50 knots from 34,000 to 36,000 feet. The overall POV will be 0% with no constraints of concern.

gongora · « **Reply #16 on:** 08/23/2017 01:54 pm »

Press Kit

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #17 on:** 08/23/2017 07:23 pm »

From the Planet Explorer Beta, the TEL is at the Pad as of yesterday. Not high enough resolution/contrast to see whether the rocket is on it, but I would assume so:

https://www.planet.com/explorer

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 08/23/2017 09:03 pm »

F9 is on the pad. FAA approved. Still working the LRR (Launch Readiness Review) at last check (L2).

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #19 on:** 08/23/2017 09:18 pm »

Launch forecast issued on L-1, now 90% GO

Quote

L-1 Day Forecast – 23 August 2017:

T-0 Forecast: A low pressure region has moved into the central coast and will pass over the range during the countdown. The impact of this low will lift and thicken the marine layer, while keeping winds light at the surface. This elevated layer will persist through the count with cloud bases at T-0 being 800ft. Winds will be out of the northwest through the count with T-0 winds out of the northwest at 10 - 15 knots. Temperatures will range from 67 - 72F and max upper-level winds will be from the west at 45 knots from 36,000 to 38,000 feet. Radio Blackout Indices and Proton Flux are currently at background levels. The overall POV will be 10% with Ground Winds being the constraint of concern.