SpaceX Falcon 9 : JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 : December 16/17, 2019 - DISCUSSION

[Nomadd]

Is it just me, or is SpaceX getting better at keeping the drone ship signal strong during the landing? It didn't look like there were any dropouts.

I told Elon how to fix it a few months ago. Maybe he was listening.

I would have thought that Jami ( https://mobile.twitter.com/GLTCprincess ) would be the right person to talk on this. As far as I know, Jami is in charge of webcasts of SpaceX.

Out of interest, what did you tell them?

Replace the Intellians with Seatels, which can handle far more vibration and movement without losing lock. I had the same trouble with the same model Intellian they use. Sneeze on them and they lose lock. The Seatels would shake so hard on our tubs they'd looked like a blur and still work.

[Ken the Bin]

Can anyone tell me when OCISLY is returning to Port? I came down from Charlotte to see the launch and hoping to see the core returning before I return. Thanks

Here's the latest OCISLY post from SpaceXFleet Updates's Twitter feed.  Unfortunately it doesn't give an ETA.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1206961729881677826

B1056 has been secured and Of Course I Still Love You is underway towards Port Canaveral!

[Comga]

Can anyone tell me when OCISLY is returning to Port? I came down from Charlotte to see the launch and hoping to see the core returning before I return. Thanks

650 km (from the Updates thread) at 6.6 knots = 12.2 km/hr is ~53 hrs.

That puts arrival near sunset on Thursday, if they can keep up the pace.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Congratulations to SpaceX, SKY Perfect JSAT and Kacific for the successful launch and landing!

GTO cutoff was 33,700 km/h at 281 km. Assuming a 27 degree initial inclination, I get an apogee of 20463.1 km and a delta-V to GEO of 2169.5 m/s.

New cataloged object with initial orbital parameters:

2019-091A - 2019-12-17 05:00 UTC - 272.73/20319.41km/26.87°

My prediction of apogee was only 0.7% higher than actual!

[getitdoneinspace]

Wasn't able to stay long enough at Port Canaveral to see OCISLY come in, but on my way home this morning I noticed Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief in the harbor. Here's a picture.