Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Hispasat 30W-6 (1F) : March 6, 2018 - DISCUSSION (Read 164924 times)

abaddon · « **Reply #120 on:** 02/26/2018 09:51 pm »

Quote from: mn on 02/26/2018 08:14 pm

I don't recall seeing anything about Atlas V having AFTS

It doesn't (and never will), but maybe only one launcher needs AFTS to make it work.

Barrie · « **Reply #121 on:** 02/26/2018 10:08 pm »

If they can demonstrate the ability to support two launches so close together, it is as big a deal for the Range as FH was for SpaceX.

What a lucky break that the circumstances for such an impromptu demo have arisen.

JDTractorGuy · « **Reply #122 on:** 02/27/2018 12:34 pm »

Howdy Folks,

I've got a friend who wants to come watch this launch. We're both from NC and haven't ever been down that way. Anyone have any suggestions on parking and where he should go to watch the launch?

Thanks

Paul_G · « **Reply #123 on:** 02/27/2018 12:48 pm »

Quote from: Mnethercutt on 02/27/2018 12:34 pm

Howdy Folks,

I've got a friend who wants to come watch this launch. We're both from NC and haven't ever been down that way. Anyone have any suggestions on parking and where he should go to watch the launch?

Thanks

You want this thread:

Quote from: russianhalo117 on 01/10/2018 08:46 pm

Up to now, we've had had people ask for viewing locations for each CCAFS/KSC launch, but since a lot of the info is the same each time, we're going to start a general viewing thread for viewing of CCAFS/KSC launches.

Viewing locations for starters: Rocket Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral
If you are looking for VAFB launch viewing info please consult: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing
If you are looking for Boca Chica, TX launch viewing info please consult: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Boca Chica, TX - Launch Viewing

spacenut · « **Reply #124 on:** 02/27/2018 02:59 pm »

Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

gongora · « **Reply #125 on:** 02/27/2018 03:06 pm »

Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm

Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

spacenut · « **Reply #126 on:** 02/27/2018 04:55 pm »

I don't think I will get up in the middle of the night to see this one. Hope all goes well.

Jim · « **Reply #127 on:** 02/27/2018 05:16 pm »

Quote from: speedevil on 02/24/2018 11:46 am

Quote from: Paul_G on 02/24/2018 10:31 am
Do we know how the pressurisation system works? Is it active or passive? If further tests are needed I guess this makes it more complex than the vents we see at the base of the fairing with the tear away covers on. If further tests are needed, it sounds like valves and things are involved.

I wonder if it might be a reference to the various pressurised gas systems now in the fairing.

That are used for separation

Comga · « **Reply #128 on:** 02/27/2018 08:18 pm »

Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 03:06 pm

Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm
Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

Really?
Everything here, including the well maintained Manifest thread, says 0034 UTC, or 7:34 PM EST, 2/28 in this case, although you may want keep an eye on the L2 Updates.

mark_m · « **Reply #129 on:** 02/27/2018 08:23 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 02/27/2018 08:18 pm

Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 03:06 pm
Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm
Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

Really?
Everything here, including the well maintained Manifest thread, says 0034 UTC, or 7:34 PM EST, 2/28 in this case, although you may want keep an eye on the L2 Updates.

The manifest thread says "2018-03-01 0034/-5", where the -5 indicates EST.

Edit: fixed typo

AC in NC · « **Reply #130 on:** 02/27/2018 08:23 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 02/27/2018 08:18 pm

Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 03:06 pm
Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm
Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

Really?
Everything here, including the well maintained Manifest thread, says 0034 UTC, or 7:34 PM EST, 2/28 in this case, although you may want keep an eye on the L2 Updates.

The Manifest Thread shows LOCAL Date/Time and the Local TZ's offset from UTC.

This thread on Post #1 shows:
NET March 1 2018 at 0034 EST/0534 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. Payload mass is about 6mT. Drone ship landing will be attempted.

gongora · « **Reply #131 on:** 02/27/2018 08:25 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 02/27/2018 08:18 pm

Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 03:06 pm
Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm
Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

Really?
Everything here, including the well maintained Manifest thread, says 0034 UTC, or 7:34 PM EST, 2/28 in this case, although you may want keep an eye on the L2 Updates.

The SpaceX Manifest table shows local time.

Comga · « **Reply #132 on:** 02/27/2018 08:28 pm »

Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 08:25 pm

Quote from: Comga on 02/27/2018 08:18 pm
Quote from: gongora on 02/27/2018 03:06 pm
Quote from: spacenut on 02/27/2018 02:59 pm
Is the time 12:34am Eastern time March 1st? It says 0034 EST.

Yes

Really?
Everything here, including the well maintained Manifest thread, says 0034 UTC, or 7:34 PM EST, 2/28 in this case, although you may want keep an eye on the L2 Updates.

The SpaceX Manifest table shows local time.

OK
You are correct. I misread. Again
Then there’s this:

Quote from: stcks on 02/27/2018 07:14 pm

Tweet from Spaceflight Now
Quote
The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with a Spanish communications satellite is expected to slip after the liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 booster Thursday with a US weather observatory.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #133 on:** 02/27/2018 09:02 pm »

RE:

Quote from: stcks on 02/27/2018 07:14 pm

Tweet from Spaceflight Now
Quote
The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with a Spanish communications satellite is expected to slip after the liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 booster Thursday with a US weather observatory.

Would everyone involved be able to launch Hispasat immediately FOLLOWING a successful GOES-S launch on March 1 (evening EST)?

So, a launch 05:35ish to 07:35ish March 2 UTC = 12:35 to 2:35 am March 2 EST?

That would be an even more impressive display of capabilities than the previous proposal.

Elthiryel · « **Reply #134 on:** 02/27/2018 09:18 pm »

If they wanted to launch Falcon 9 on March 2nd, it would probably be less than 8 hours between the launches (5h32m to 9h32m, depending on the exact launch times). I believe that countdown for Falcon 9 would have to start before Atlas V launches, I don't think it's possible. So NET March 3rd for Falcon 9 with Hispasat is the most reasonable option in my opinion.

Kansan52 · « **Reply #135 on:** 02/27/2018 09:33 pm »

My memory says No. Maybe 48 hours for the same set-up (same launcher family like 2 F9s or 2 Atlas Vs) but not different launchers. Plus no good reason to overtax everyone like that.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #136 on:** 02/27/2018 09:37 pm »

I just found this on SFN, dated Feb. 27:
Atlas 5 launch on track for Thursday, SpaceX mission expected to slip

Quote

The “clean pad” layout at Complex 41 does not offer shelter to the Atlas 5 rocket once its in position on the launch mount, and officials were concerned about exposing the launcher and sensitive optics on its weather satellite payload to exhaust plumes from the Falcon 9 rocket as it blasts off from the nearby Complex 40 launch pad.

Managers also studied whether the Atlas 5 rocket and the GOES-S satellite would be at risk of damage on the pad if the Falcon 9 rocket had a mishap during launch.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #137 on:** 02/28/2018 12:39 am »

SpaceX e-mail to the media notes Falcon 9 is now ready for launch, but that they are currently waiting for a launch date to be approved by the Eastern Range for the Hispasat 30W-6 mission.

mgeagon · « **Reply #138 on:** 02/28/2018 06:49 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/28/2018 12:39 am

SpaceX e-mail to the media notes Falcon 9 is now ready for launch, but that they are currently waiting for a launch date to be approved by the Eastern Range for the Hispasat 30W-6 mission.

If the launch planned on Feb 25 was amended by SpaceX on the 24th with a request for an early March 1st launch, the Range was given five days to consider two launches on the same day. It appears the answer to SpaceX is "no," you cannot have that placeholder. It is curious this has gone on this long with a Falcon rocket ready to go and no approved launch window. Is there some more scheduled maintenance at the cape again? Why not just come out and give SpaceX a conservative March 3rd NET date (or 4th or 5th, etc)? Is there potential slippage to the right for GOES built into the Range schedule and SpaceX just has to wait to see if GOES goes on time?

Mark Eagon
(Pun not intentional)

deruch · « **Reply #139 on:** 02/28/2018 09:23 am »

Quote from: mgeagon on 02/28/2018 06:49 am

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/28/2018 12:39 am
SpaceX e-mail to the media notes Falcon 9 is now ready for launch, but that they are currently waiting for a launch date to be approved by the Eastern Range for the Hispasat 30W-6 mission.
If the launch planned on Feb 25 was amended by SpaceX on the 24th with a request for an early March 1st launch, the Range was given five days to consider two launches on the same day. It appears the answer to SpaceX is "no," you cannot have that placeholder. It is curious this has gone on this long with a Falcon rocket ready to go and no approved launch window. Is there some more scheduled maintenance at the cape again? Why not just come out and give SpaceX a conservative March 3rd NET date (or 4th or 5th, etc)? Is there potential slippage to the right for GOES built into the Range schedule and SpaceX just has to wait to see if GOES goes on time?

Mark Eagon
(Pun not intentional)

GOES-S will have its range date and at least 1 back-up opportunity (usually the next day) confirmed with the Range. The Range was apparently interested in trying to launch both vehicles within 24 hours of each other. But that decision isn't solely up to the Range. It also needed both vehicle providers to be on board for it as well. Which means that each needed to decide if there were any additional risks to be analyzed under such a scenario and whether they are comfortable accepting them, etc. Those discussions probably took more time than it took for the Range to determine whether they could be prepared for the "salvo" launching. So, a bit more delay (compared to a simple "can we have a new launch date?" request) isn't too surprising.