Do we know anything about the booster for this flight?
Elthiryel @ElthiryelHello @IridiumBoss! Is there already any NET date for the Iridium-7 launch?
Matt Desch @IridiumBossNo, haven't provided a specific date , but iI'm expecting it in about mid to late July.
Announcement of L7 date/time imminent. (Hint: shipping first two satellites to VAFB tomorrow...). RTLS unlikely due to our mission profile.
While it is understood that the increased ability of a Block 5 Falcon 9 launching an Iridium NEXT mission leaves enough performance margin and propellant to RTLS to Vandenberg, it is likely that environmental restrictions (seal nesting/mating season) or technical work on the landing pad at SLC-4W prevent Iridium NEXT-7 from attempting the first West Coast RTLS.
QuoteWhile it is understood that the increased ability of a Block 5 Falcon 9 launching an Iridium NEXT mission leaves enough performance margin and propellant to RTLS to Vandenberg, it is likely that environmental restrictions (seal nesting/mating season) or technical work on the landing pad at SLC-4W prevent Iridium NEXT-7 from attempting the first West Coast RTLS.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/spacex-ula-manifests-spacex-1st-rtls-vandenberg/Oh come on! So they can launch a rocket on 9 engines next to nesting seals, but they can't land the same rocket 10 minutes later on 3/1 engines? Is it the sonic boom?
QuoteWhile it is understood that the increased ability of a Block 5 Falcon 9 launching an Iridium NEXT mission leaves enough performance margin and propellant to RTLS to Vandenberg, it is likely that environmental restrictions (seal nesting/mating season) or technical work on the landing pad at SLC-4W prevent Iridium NEXT-7 from attempting the first West Coast RTLS.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/spacex-ula-manifests-spacex-1st-rtls-vandenberg/Oh come on! So they can launch a rocket on 9 engines next to nesting seals, but they can't land the same rocket 10 minutes later on 3/1 engines? Is it the sonic boom?This says the wildlife at Vandy has been adjusting to the noise. I think they worry too much.https://lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/elephant-seals-return-to-vandenberg-air-force-base/article_60d47201-81f4-5ceb-a40e-89852991e8ec.html
For those of you who are hoping to see an impressive launch, here is an item I just posted at www.spacearchive.info:"The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of July 20. The vehicle is slated to lift off from Space Launch Complex-4E at 05:12 PDT and places Iridium NEXT satellites 56-65 into orbit. The first stage's bright flame could make the early portion of this launch visible for more than 120 miles. Liftoff occurs 54 minutes before Vandenberg AFB sunrise. A computer simulation by Rick Baldridge shows the rocket will climb into the sunlight at T+ 3 minutes 30 seconds. If so, this would create an impressive display as the rocket's exhaust is illuminated at high altitude by the sun and suspended in a deep twilight sky."
[Launch Alert] July 20 Dawn LaunchLaunch Alert 4:47 PM QuoteFor those of you who are hoping to see an impressive launch, here is an item I just posted at www.spacearchive.info:"The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of July 20. The vehicle is slated to lift off from Space Launch Complex-4E at 05:12 PDT and places Iridium NEXT satellites 56-65 into orbit. The first stage's bright flame could make the early portion of this launch visible for more than 120 miles. Liftoff occurs 54 minutes before Vandenberg AFB sunrise. A computer simulation by Rick Baldridge shows the rocket will climb into the sunlight at T+ 3 minutes 30 seconds. If so, this would create an impressive display as the rocket's exhaust is illuminated at high altitude by the sun and suspended in a deep twilight sky."
Quote from: Norm38 on 07/06/2018 05:15 pmQuoteWhile it is understood that the increased ability of a Block 5 Falcon 9 launching an Iridium NEXT mission leaves enough performance margin and propellant to RTLS to Vandenberg, it is likely that environmental restrictions (seal nesting/mating season) or technical work on the landing pad at SLC-4W prevent Iridium NEXT-7 from attempting the first West Coast RTLS.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/spacex-ula-manifests-spacex-1st-rtls-vandenberg/Oh come on! So they can launch a rocket on 9 engines next to nesting seals, but they can't land the same rocket 10 minutes later on 3/1 engines? Is it the sonic boom?I was originally trained to be a biologist. One thing I learned over the years is this: never argue with environmentalists. You'll lose.
I do take a wider view of things. We don't launch rockets all up and down the coast, there's one location. I wouldn't expect Vandy to be the only or the best seal habitat in California. Second, what has the greater environmental impact? Bringing the rocket back to land, or sending out the drone ship across hundreds of miles of ocean each time? How much ocean impact is that?Once RTLS is happening, I would hope they aren't forcing barge landings for missions when they're not necessary. We'll find out.
