Just Read the Instructions droneship is returning to Port Canaveral.Finn Falgout tracker destination was set as 'Turksat LZ' so they were definitely not going out for just a sea trial. Updates to follow.
Droneship tug Finn Falgout suffered a mechanical issue not far offshore from Cape Canaveral and has been forced to return to port with JRTI droneship.Tug Hawk is available and could replace Finn Falgout, leaving immediately. Unlikely that this will delay the Turksat mission.
To add to this - earlier information via me that droneship tug Finn Falgout was having a mechanical issue appears to be incorrect, based on morning observations.My apologies. I try to be as accurate as possible but won't get it right every single time.
The droneship Just Read the Instructions returned to port this morning – a sign that the Turksat 5A launch is likely delayed. The launch was originally scheduled for Jan. 4 on Falcon 9.
And @TGMetsFan98 has spotted that the Temporary Flight Restrictions have been canceled, so this will be a confirmed delay.
Good timing, too — the 45th said SpaceX’s next launch of Turksat was “placed TBD due to mission assurance.”
020337Z JAN 21NAVAREA IV 3/21(11,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 050122Z TO 050621Z JAN, ALTERNATE 060122Z TO 060621Z JAN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-36-05N 080-35-15W, 28-38-00N 080-17-00W, 28-36-00N 079-48-00W, 28-33-00N 079-47-00W, 28-31-00N 080-14-00W, 28-31-52N 080-33-41W. B. 28-02-00N 075-35-00W, 28-35-00N 075-35-00W, 28-41-00N 072-38-00W, 28-41-00N 071-33-00W, 28-28-00N 071-03-00W, 27-44-00N 071-03-00W, 27-26-00N 071-32-00W, 27-26-00N 072-37-00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 060721Z JAN 21.
I received an interesting notice from the NGA. It's plain ol' Hazardous Operations rather than Rocket Launching, but it otherwise looks like a notice for what the Türksat 5A launch was originally scheduled to be (before whatever happened yesterday that caused Finn Falgout and JRTI to make a U-turn and return to port, and the TFRs to be canceled).
Quote from: Ken the Bin on 01/02/2021 03:17 amI received an interesting notice from the NGA. It's plain ol' Hazardous Operations rather than Rocket Launching, but it otherwise looks like a notice for what the Türksat 5A launch was originally scheduled to be (before whatever happened yesterday that caused Finn Falgout and JRTI to make a U-turn and return to port, and the TFRs to be canceled).There goes my "filter NOTMAR messages on (space or rocket)" strategy
020852Z JAN 21NAVAREA IV 4/21(11,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.CANCEL NAVAREA IV 3/21 AND THIS MSG, OPERATIONSPOSTPONED.
Just Read the Instructions droneship is about to depart from Port Canaveral. Rather unusual nightime departure... Does Turksat-5A have a new launch date? Live on NSF Fleetcam ➡
Departure (For real!)Just Read the Instructions is outbound from Port Canaveral, presumably for the Turksat-5A mission.JRTI previously departed earlier in the week but was recalled to Port Canaveral because of a mission delay.Photo via @NASASpaceflight Fleetcam
042239Z JAN 21NAVAREA IV 13/21(11,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 080123Z TO 080620Z JAN, ALTERNATE 090123Z TO 090620Z JAN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-36-05N 080-35-15W, 28-38-00N 080-17-00W, 28-36-00N 079-48-00W, 28-33-00N 079-47-00W, 28-31-00N 080-14-00W, 28-31-52N 080-33-41W. B. 28-02-00N 075-35-00W, 28-35-00N 075-35-00W, 28-41-00N 072-38-00W, 28-41-00N 071-33-00W, 28-28-00N 071-03-00W, 27-44-00N 071-03-00W, 27-26-00N 071-32-00W, 27-26-00N 072-37-00W.2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 9/21.3. CANCEL THIS MSG 090720Z JAN 21.
Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief both departed for the Turksat-5A mission a few hours ago!
#Turksat spokesperson confirms 5A launch on Falcon 9 now targeting Thursday, Jan. 7 for 2028 ET liftoff from Cape Canaveral. Clouds are a concern, so keeping an eye on Friday’s backup window (same time).
