Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 5 : March 30, 2018 @ Vandenberg : Discussion (Read 92065 times)

Wolfram66 · « **Reply #60 on:** 03/27/2018 10:28 pm »

Swap it out with one of the IR-6 Launch satellites? keep on target....

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #61 on:** 03/27/2018 10:53 pm »

Quote from: Wolfram66 on 03/27/2018 10:28 pm

Swap it out with one of the IR-6 Launch satellites? keep on target....

They do have a few ground spare NEXT sats IIRC, but transporting one to Vandy from Arizona, fueling and processing it would take a good bit of time. Might be able to fit within 4 days, since it is only one sat.

However, the issue could be repairable at Vandy, we don't know.

docmordrid · « **Reply #62 on:** 03/28/2018 07:16 am »

Ground test harness problem.

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/978795278118653952?s=19

Matt Desch @IridiumBoss
Positive update to our satellite and launch delay. Just been apprised there has been a technical resolution; satellites and F9 are in great shape and ready to go! Was ground harness test cable issue - now fixed. Launch now pulled back to Friday, 3/30 at 7:14am pdt! #GoTeam!
8:45 PM - Mar 27, 2018

ZachS09 · « **Reply #63 on:** 03/28/2018 10:51 pm »

According to the patch within the newly-released press kit, Core B1041 is bound to have landing legs AND grid fins installed.

Raul · « **Reply #64 on:** 03/29/2018 06:02 am »

NRC Quest is already on the way probably to track B1041.2 water landing.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #65 on:** 03/30/2018 12:06 am »

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3439091/mmsi:338358000/imo:9744465/vessel:MR_STEVEN

According to MarineTraffic, Mr. Steven is now going to "YOUR MOMSHOUSE"....

It was previously going to "Iridium 5"

It's still underway, ETA is 3:30 UTC March 30.

JBF · « **Reply #66 on:** 03/30/2018 12:18 am »

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 03/30/2018 12:06 am

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3439091/mmsi:338358000/imo:9744465/vessel:MR_STEVEN

According to MarineTraffic, Mr. Steven is now going to "YOUR MOMSHOUSE"....

It was previously going to "Iridium 5"

It's still underway, ETA is 3:30 UTC March 30.

Heh they have to know we are watching MarineTraffic.

Michael Baylor · « **Reply #67 on:** 03/30/2018 12:46 am »

Change of plans. Mr. Steven is now heading to Your Mom's House. You might want to let her know.

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #68 on:** 03/30/2018 12:51 am »

That's a sooty-lookin' booster. Anyone know how many times it's flown before and what Block it might be?

ZachS09 · « **Reply #69 on:** 03/30/2018 01:47 am »

Quote from: MATTBLAK on 03/30/2018 12:51 am

That's a sooty-lookin' booster. Anyone know how many times it's flown before and what Block it might be?

It's a Block 4 booster, which flew only once before last October, helping loft ten other Iridium-NEXT sats to orbit.

gongora · « **Reply #70 on:** 03/30/2018 02:16 am »

Tweet from Iridium Corporate:

Quote

A few weeks ago, @Iridiumboss made a special visit to our old friend from #Iridium3, in the midst of preparations for #Iridium5. In the soot of the #Iridium3 booster the most eloquent, compelling and Shakespeare-esque message was written, destined for space... #IridiumRocks!!

Don S · « **Reply #71 on:** 03/30/2018 06:36 am »

Hope this is the correct place to ask.

Why do they mount the legs and grid fins onto the rocket if they plan on expending it? Are they the older Grid fins then and not the Titanium?

ludovic_f · « **Reply #72 on:** 03/30/2018 09:07 am »

Hello Don S

> Why do they mount the legs and grid fins onto the rocket if they plan on expending it?

They may want to continue testing landing burn options, or simply collect more data on the "current standard configuration", which almost invariably includes landing legs and grid fins (added entry points all add up to reliability and landing history, even if the booster is not recovered).

> Are they the older Grid fins then and not the Titanium?

Older grid fins are the current standard too. titanium should be part of the next "standard" configuration (Block V).

gongora · « **Reply #73 on:** 03/30/2018 01:26 pm »

The pictures of the Iridium 5 fairing don't look like the PAZ fairing (focusing on the details towards the bottom of the fairing). I wonder if this is the older style or if maybe the PAZ fairing was just finished a little differently on the outside.

Comga · « **Reply #74 on:** 03/30/2018 01:53 pm »

Spacey music on the webcast

The_Ronin · « **Reply #75 on:** 03/30/2018 02:02 pm »

Why would NOAA block webcasts? That is a total new one for me...

gongora · « **Reply #76 on:** 03/30/2018 02:03 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 03/30/2018 02:01 pm

Hmmm, so NOAA restrictions mean this will be a short webcast and ending before S/C Sep.

This is odd. Even if the flight path went over something confidential the resolution is too low to see anything on the ground.

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #77 on:** 03/30/2018 02:03 pm »

Quote from: The_Ronin on 03/30/2018 02:02 pm

Why would NOAA block webcasts? That is a total new one for me...

Does SpaceX use a NOAA plane to relay downrange video transmission? I can't think of anything else that NOAA would have in relation to this launch....

dgates · « **Reply #78 on:** 03/30/2018 02:04 pm »

Quote from: The_Ronin on 03/30/2018 02:02 pm

Why would NOAA block webcasts? That is a total new one for me...

What does NOAA have *at all* to do with this launch? Maybe I missed some kind of NOAA ride-along payload or?

I was hoping for fairing recovery efforts coverage....

Don

gongora · « **Reply #79 on:** 03/30/2018 02:04 pm »

Quote from: dgates on 03/30/2018 02:04 pm

Quote from: The_Ronin on 03/30/2018 02:02 pm
Why would NOAA block webcasts? That is a total new one for me...
What does NOAA have *at all* to do with this launch? Maybe I missed some kind of NOAA ride-along payload or?

I was hoping for fairing recovery efforts coverage....

Don

NOAA licenses all image taking from orbit.