Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 70% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
SpaceX @SpaceXNow targeting June 1 launch of SES-12 from Pad 40; team using additional time to perform pre-launch vehicle checks, also closely watching weather conditions at the Cape.
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 40% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule, Liftoff Winds
SES CTO Martin Halliwell: Looking at a 4-hour launch window Monday for #SES12. Will stop the countdown at around T-minus 70 minutes, then look for a slot. Will "thread the needle," he says. Satellite is still in hangar. #Falcon9
Halliwell: #SES12 is "the most powerful spacecraft we've ever had built for us." "It's really, really big." Almost full electrical propulsion, but there is some chemical.
Halliwell: Stripped everything off #Falcon9, including landing legs, because it's an expendable mission. "Going straight for the ocean," he says while the #OCISLY drone ship is in the background. (Event being held at Port Canaveral, where OCISLY is stationed.)
Halliwell: Ideally, SpaceX will have a long enough launch window to fuel #Falcon9 twice for #SES12, if necessary. Still targeting just after midnight Monday.
SES CTO Halliwell: "Monster engine" in #Falcon9 upper stage will fire 3 to 5 seconds longer to get #SES12 even higher. "Completely changes the dynamics of the project," he says. Those few seconds of burn time could get the satellite up to 7 more years of operational life.
They’ve stripped the landing legs and recovery hardware from the first stage because there won’t be a landing. The first stage booster is Block 4 and the upper stage is Block 5 “There’s a ton of performance on this rocket” said SES. @Teslarati #ses12 #spacex
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule, Liftoff Winds
SES confirms that SpaceX teams still working toward early Monday launch of hybrid #Falcon9 that features Block 4 first stage and Block 5 second stage. Four-hour window opens at 0029 ET (0429 UTC). Weather 70% go. #SES12
