SpaceX FH : USSF-52 (X-37B OTV-7) : KSC LC-39A : 28/29 December 2023 01:07 UTC

• #320 by catdlr on 12 Dec, 2023 00:32
• From SpaceX website:
  
  

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  SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 12 at 8:14 p.m. ET for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A backup launch opportunity is available on Wednesday, December 13 if needed.
  
  A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
• #321 by ZachS09 on 12 Dec, 2023 00:56
• I guess Vulcan’s not the only rocket that had GSE problems.
• #322 by Steven Pietrobon on 12 Dec, 2023 01:38
• Updated version of press kit with the new dates.

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  USSF 52 v2.pdf
• #323 by Ken the Bin on 12 Dec, 2023 04:13
• New L-1 weather forecast. 80% 'Go' for December 12/13. 40% 'Go' for December 13/14. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for both days. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

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  FH USSF-52 L-1 Forecast - 12 Dec Launch.pdf
• #324 by FutureSpaceTourist on 12 Dec, 2023 07:13
• https://twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1734382745457958937
  
  

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  I’ll be streaming this thing, pretty much no matter when it launches!!! So just plan on it 😉 Here’s the new stream link

  
  
• #325 by Galactic Penguin SST on 12 Dec, 2023 07:14
• Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 10 Dec, 2023 01:55

  PDF of online press kit and link to Twitter livestream.
  
  https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1kvJpvzkZXwKE
  

  
  New official link is at https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1mnxepDQPdEJX.
• #326 by GewoonLukas_ on 12 Dec, 2023 09:14
• New images from SpaceX' website:

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• #327 by ugordan on 12 Dec, 2023 09:17
• Quote from: ZachS09 on 12 Dec, 2023 00:56

  I guess Vulcan’s not the only rocket that had GSE problems.
  

  
  FH has a ways to go to match the "Pad Princess" reputation of Delta IV Heavy. We'll see about Vulcan, but I can't imagine it ever getting that "bad", either.
• #328 by FutureSpaceTourist on 12 Dec, 2023 16:11
• https://twitter.com/sldelta45/status/1734619652762796362
  
  

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  UPDATE: The launch window for Falcon 9 Starlink 6-34 now opens at 23:00 EDT on Dec. 12 (04:00 UTC on Dec. 13), and will feature a SOUTHERLY TRAJECTORY.
  
  Falcon Heavy USSF-52 launch window now opens at 20:13 EDT on Dec. 13 (01:13 UTC on Dec. 14).
• #329 by FutureSpaceTourist on 12 Dec, 2023 16:55
• https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1734632877969584611
  
  

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  Now targeting no earlier than Wednesday, December 13 for Falcon Heavy to launch USSF-52. The extra time allows teams to complete system checkouts ahead of liftoff. Teams are also keeping an eye on weather, which is 40% favorable for launch → spacex.com/launches

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• #330 by Galactic Penguin SST on 12 Dec, 2023 16:56
• Also note the SpaceX mission page:
  
  

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  SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Wednesday, December 13 at 8:13 p.m. ET for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit...
• #331 by alugobi on 12 Dec, 2023 18:48
• That means that the other one gets bumped, too.
• #332 by nalawod on 12 Dec, 2023 18:58
• Quote from: alugobi on 12 Dec, 2023 18:48

  That means that the other one gets bumped, too.
  

  Not so far. The two launches are unrelated and it appears to be the weather that moved Starlink yesterday. It's more favorable tonight than last night.
• #333 by Ken the Bin on 12 Dec, 2023 20:31
• New L-1 weather forecast. 30% 'Go' for December 13/14. 20% 'Go' for December 14/15. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for both days. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.

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  FH USSF-52 L-1 Forecast - 13 Dec Launch.pdf
• #334 by catdlr on 13 Dec, 2023 02:18
• Launch is delayed:
  
  Source
  
  

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  SpaceX is currently standing down from a Falcon Heavy launch of USSF-52 to orbit to perform additional system checkouts. The payload remains healthy while teams work toward the next best launch opportunity. We’re also keeping an eye on the weather and will announce a new launch date once confirmed with the Range.
• #335 by GewoonLukas_ on 13 Dec, 2023 16:26
• Given that Doug is returning to Port Canaveral, I'd say the next launch attempt is at least ~1 week away as for the first attempt Doug departed ~4 days before launch:
  
  

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  SpaceX recovery ship Doug is returning to Port Canaveral following the delay to the Falcon Heavy USSF-52 mission. The ship was due to recover the fairing.
  
  The ship retuning indicates a long-term delay.
  

  
  https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1734985872213209333

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• #336 by FutureSpaceTourist on 13 Dec, 2023 16:51
• https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1734994058945134598
  
  

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  USSF-52 might slip more, as SpaceX has started the process of bringing Falcon Heavy into a horizontal position.
  
  Now the question is if they can perform the needed work on the pad, or if we will see a rollback to the hangar.
  
  Link: nsf.live/spacecoast

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• #337 by FutureSpaceTourist on 13 Dec, 2023 20:28
• https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1735047466179801354
  
  

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  r o l l b a c k
  
  SpaceX personnel at LC-39A prepare Falcon Heavy for rollback into the HIF - additional work is needed before launch.
  
  📸 - @NASASpaceflight

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• #338 by mn on 13 Dec, 2023 21:03
• Does this mean that the problem was vehicle/spacecraft related?
  
  Or just that after a delay the spacecraft needs additional servicing?
• #339 by wannamoonbase on 13 Dec, 2023 21:29
• Quote from: mn on 13 Dec, 2023 21:03

  Does this mean that the problem was vehicle/spacecraft related?
  
  Or just that after a delay the spacecraft needs additional servicing?
  

  
  With DOD flights I just always assume it's the payload.
  
  Seen too many that are on the pad ready to go then something comes up and it's month till it's back on the pad.