Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT 6 with GRACE-FO : May 22, 2018 - UPDATES (Read 86651 times)

ZachS09 · « **Reply #140 on:** 05/22/2018 07:51 pm »

M-Vac ignition is confirmed; this first burn will last 436 seconds until the 613-second mark.

First stage grid fins should have deployed at this point. Baja tracking station has AOS.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #141 on:** 05/22/2018 07:51 pm »

MVac ignition.

Stage 1 AFTS safed

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #142 on:** 05/22/2018 07:51 pm »

Fairing sep.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #143 on:** 05/22/2018 07:51 pm »

Payload fairing has been jettisoned. Time for one of these fairings to attempt to glide towards a safe recovery.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #144 on:** 05/22/2018 07:52 pm »

T+4 minutes.

With MECO having occurred 2.75 minutes into the flight, it's highly likely that the booster will NOT do any post-separation engine burns, yet the grid fins will be needed to stay stable during reentry.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #145 on:** 05/22/2018 07:52 pm »

First stage separation.

T+3 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #146 on:** 05/22/2018 07:52 pm »

T+4 minutes.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #147 on:** 05/22/2018 07:53 pm »

T+5 minutes. Second stage power and telemetry look good.

Altitude 260 kilometers, velocity 10,400 kilometers per hour.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #148 on:** 05/22/2018 07:53 pm »

T+5 minutes. Over 890 kN of thrust.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #149 on:** 05/22/2018 07:54 pm »

T+6 minutes. M-Vac performance is nominal; the engine producing nearly 210,000 pounds of thrust.

Altitude 328 kilometers, velocity 12,600 kilometers per hour.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #150 on:** 05/22/2018 07:54 pm »

T+6 minutes. Camera view is a bit wobbly.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #151 on:** 05/22/2018 07:55 pm »

T+7 minutes. About three minutes left in this first burn.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #152 on:** 05/22/2018 07:56 pm »

T+8 minutes. At this point, the first stage should begin entry interface, yet it's going to pass under the horizon soon.

Altitude 445 kilometers, velocity 17,300 kilometers per hour.