Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 7 : July 25, 2018 : Vandenberg - UPDATES (Read 65081 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #120 on:** 07/30/2018 12:03 pm »

Iridium release:

Seventh Set of Iridium® NEXT Satellites are Performing Well During Pre-Operational Testing

MCLEAN, Va. – July 30, 2018 – Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that the 10 Iridium NEXT satellites launched on Wednesday, July 25th, by SpaceX are functioning nominally and have begun the testing and validation process. The launch brought the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit to 65, leaving just one more launch of 10 satellites to complete the Iridium NEXT launch program.

“It’s incredible that we only have one more Iridium NEXT launch to go,” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer at Iridium. “Since Wednesday’s launch, the team is focused on settling these 10 new satellites into their designated slots, all in plane five. Once we are done with this batch, plane five will be comprised of all Iridium NEXT satellites, and we will be ready and waiting for the final launch of this historic program.”

The Iridium constellation is comprised of six polar orbiting planes, each containing 11 operational crosslinked satellites, for a total of 66 satellites in the active constellation. This unique architecture creates a web of coverage around the earth, enabling Iridium to provide real-time communications over the oceans and from even the most remote locations. One more Iridium NEXT launch is scheduled for 2018, which will bring Iridium’s total number of new satellites in orbit to 75, including nine spares. A total of 81 satellites are being built, including 66 operational, nine on-orbit spares and six ground spares.

For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #121 on:** 08/01/2018 08:40 pm »

At the end of teslarati's newest article, there is a pic of B1048, legless, up next will be horizontal and transport.

https://www.teslarati.com/new-spacex-falcon-9-booster-cape-canaveral-florida/

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #122 on:** 08/02/2018 03:25 pm »

Pictures from Reddit user Spacexman_spiff of the legless, finless B1048, and a pic of the recovered fairing halve from the launch.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/93savn/spacex_san_pedro_operations_august_1st/

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #123 on:** 08/03/2018 12:31 pm »

Interesting, yesterday the booster went horizontal some, then lifted back up and placed back on its mount

https://mobile.twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1025117693500739584
https://mobile.twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1025164733756801024

Helodriver · « **Reply #124 on:** 08/04/2018 06:39 am »

The Falcon sleeps tonight.

Legs and fins removed, in the truck transport cradle, partially wrapped in white plastic.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #125 on:** 08/13/2018 06:27 pm »

Video posted a few days ago by a Iridium, including some behind the scenes footage:

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #126 on:** 09/01/2018 08:27 am »

Quote

Launch 7 satellite activities complete: 59 of 66 satellites in our constellation are now Iridium NEXT vehicles - 89.4% complete! 4 of 6 planes are all NEXT, with the 5th plane complete in a few weeks when SV153 drifts into position. Launch 8 is NET November now - can't wait!

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/1035609461405241349