Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT 6 with GRACE-FO : May 22, 2018 - UPDATES (Read 86656 times)

ZachS09 · « **Reply #200 on:** 05/22/2018 08:45 pm »

The 400-second separation sequence begins 525 seconds after SECO-2. Per the press kit, each Iridium-NEXT satellite should separate at an interval of 80 seconds.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #201 on:** 05/22/2018 08:46 pm »

Ignition and shutdown. Good orbit.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #202 on:** 05/22/2018 08:46 pm »

Nice coloring as the second burn completes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #203 on:** 05/22/2018 08:47 pm »

Nice purple view of engine nozzle cooling down. Purple colour is due to infrared sensitivity of camera.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #204 on:** 05/22/2018 08:48 pm »

T+1 hour.

Altitude 498 kilometers, velocity 27,580 kilometers per hour.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #205 on:** 05/22/2018 08:48 pm »

Expected HBK LOS.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #206 on:** 05/22/2018 08:48 pm »

T+1 hour. HBK LOS expected.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #207 on:** 05/22/2018 08:50 pm »

Expected Mauritius LOS.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #208 on:** 05/22/2018 08:51 pm »

Mauritius LOS expected.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #209 on:** 05/22/2018 08:52 pm »

Falcon 9 passing over Somalia.

Dubai AOS.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #210 on:** 05/22/2018 08:52 pm »

Dubai AOS.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #211 on:** 05/22/2018 08:52 pm »

First Iridium satellite should deploy in less than a minute.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #212 on:** 05/22/2018 08:53 pm »

One minute to first separation.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #213 on:** 05/22/2018 08:54 pm »

And the Iridium-NEXT separation sequence has begun.

Each of the five Iridium-NEXT satellites weighs 860 kilograms and will join 50 other satellites at a higher altitude to help improve cell phone communications.