SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 8 : Jan. 11, 2019 : Vandenberg - DISCUSSION

[gongora]

DISCUSSION THREAD for Flight 8 of the Iridium NEXT missions.

Flight 8 successfully launched on January 11, 2019 at 07:31am PST (1531 UTC) on Falcon 9 with booster 1049.2 (previously used for the Telstar 18V mission) from SLC-4 at Vandenberg.  The first stage is landed successfully on the drone ship JRTI.

   Flight 8 will launch into plane 3.  One satellite will be drifted to plane 4.

   NSF Threads for Iridium NEXT Flight 8: Discussion / Updates
   NSF Articles for Iridium NEXT Flight 8:


See the Flight 1 Discussion Thread for more information and links to other Iridium Next threads and articles.

General information for Iridium flights 1-5 & 7-8
   Payload Mass: 8600kg for 10 satellites + 1000kg for dispenser = 9600kg
   Launch orbit: 625km, 86.66 degrees
   Operational orbit: 778km, 86.4 degrees

81 Satellites will be built for Iridium NEXT, with 66 being needed for a fully operational constellation.  All of the satellites will carry ADS-B aviation tracking hosted payloads for Aireon, and 60 of the satellites will carry AIS maritime tracking hosted payloads for exactEarth.


Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
   L2 SpaceX Section

[Jakusb]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1028964871617105923

@IridiumBoss
Replying to @scr00chy
"Still trying to nail the date down (satellite completion is gating, not rocket availability), but definitely won't be in September."

[ChrisGebhardt]

Now NET November due to satellite availability/readiness.

[deruch]

Now NET November due to satellite availability/readiness.

From the CRS-16 thread:

I noticed the other day that we've never had a November launch

shhhhh...don't jinx it

Iridium and NASA just learned that TechEdSat-8 has been added to the launch manifest for SpaceX-16, which is scheduled to be launched on December 1, 2018

I guess Mobius jinxed it. 

Fingers crossed for Desch & Co. to come through with the clutch assist on breaking the SpaceX "November launch drought."

[gongora]

There are other flights that I think are more likely to fly in November than Iridium.

[Draggendrop]

I don't mind it being a bit later in the year. This (sadly) will be the last time to see the now familiar dispenser in action, unless there is a possible future lift for replacements.

[zubenelgenubi]

Adjustments coming for the WTR launch schedule at the end of the year?

Re: NROL-71:

Looks like SpaceX gave up their launch slot.  I believe this is moving a few days to the left.

Reference to a delay of the launch of Iridium Next Flight 8?

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2018
November 19 - Spaceflight SSO-A/SHERPA SSO : ORS 7A, ORS 7B,MinXSS 2, Audacy 0, Eu:CROPIS, BlackSky Global 2, STPSat-5, SkySat 14, SkySat 15, NEXTSat 1, Hawk 1, Hawk 2, Hawk 3, Fox 1C, KNACKSAT, Elysium-Star 2, JY1-Sat, KazSTSAT, KazSciSat, ROSE-1, ICEYE X2, CSIM-FD, Hiber 2, Orbital Reflector, PW-Sat 2, Hamilton 1, MOVE 2, Centauri 2, Eaglet 1, SpaceBEE 9, SpaceBEE 10, SpaceBEE 11, Flock-3s 1, Flock-3s 2, Flock-3s 3, AISTECHSAT 2, Al-Farabi 2, Astrocast 0.1, BeeSat 5, BeeSat 6, BeeSat 7, BeeSat 8, BlackHawk, BRIO, Capella 1, ESEO, eXCITe, Exseed, FalconSat 6, ICE-Cap, Irvine 02, ITASAT-1, K2SAT, Landmapper-BC 4 v2, ORS 1, RAAF M1, RANGE A, RANGE B, SeaHawk 1, SeeMe, SIRION Pathfinder 2, SNUGLITE, SNUSAT 2, Suomi-100, THEA, VESTA, VisionCube, WeissSat 1, ZACUBE 2  - Falcon 9 - Vandenberg SLC-4E

NET November - Iridium Next Flight 8 (x10) - Falcon 9 - Vandenberg SLC-4E

December 3 - NROL-71: KH-11 17 (Crystal 17, Block 5 #1) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-382] - Vandenberg SLC-6

[gongora]

SSO-A has been lined up before Iridium for quite a while now.  Iridium is NET December, I wouldn't be surprised if it slipped to January.  They should have a quarterly earnings call at the end of the month, should get an update then.

[Elthiryel]

I've decided to ask Matt Desch and here's the answer.

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1051220004983791616

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052934106135359488

[envy887]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052934106135359488

Hey, that's listed as a new booster in the manifest. Is this the first public notice that it's a reflown booster? Is this going to be the first 3rd flight?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Confirmation of what's been the delay:

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052934694109614081

[Mammutti]

This will be the second flight of the B1049 booster, which was used for Telstar 18 VANTAGE mission. And it will land on JRTI.

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052937230199738368
https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052937679380389891
https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1052935215918837761

[envy887]

Telestar 18V from LC-40 on September 10, 2018. A Dec 30 launch would be 111 days later.

[zubenelgenubi]

New article
SpaceX lines up five launches to close out 2018, October 22, by Michael Baylor

[Tomness]

Hopefully they have enough room to process Iridium and Spaceflight SSO-A rockets and payloads concurrently so each slip doesnt effect the Iridium schedule.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1070416863656599559

Iridium-8 has slipped to 2019 according to Koenigsmann. He is also confident that they can fix the landing issue in time. #SpaceX

[theinternetftw]

Slipped to 2019, but still before DM-1 (at least nominally, it seems like).  From the transcript:

Matt Haskell, The Aerospace Geek: Matt Haskell, for The Aerospace Geek. And my question is for Hans. You mentioned the implementation of corrections for Iridium. With that launch being farther away, is it a possibility that the implementation of corrections for DM-1 could cause a slip to the right?

Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX: So I'm not sure I understand. Iridium comes still before Demo 1. Or pretty close, let's say it this way. But, regardless, whatever will be corrected on Iridium will also be corrected on Demo 1.

[Chris Bergin]

NET Jan 7:

https://twitter.com/IridiumComm/status/1071076274477690880

[jacqmans]

SpaceX Opens Media Accreditation for Iridium-8 Mission

Media Contact: Eva Behrend

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – Dec. 7, 2018. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX's Iridium-8 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch is targeted for no earlier than January 7.

More details on the mission and pre-launch media activities will be made available closer to launch.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/1073567273657475073

Preparations continue for our final (historic!) launch 8 on January 7th.  Final 2 (of 10) sats just left the factory (we track them by Iridium IoT) for the base; 6 of 10 are already mated.  Everything needed is there - just need to put it all together for a launch in 24 days!

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/IridiumComm/status/1075075929150509057

#Iridium8 Update: We're at T-minus 20 days to our final #IridiumNEXT launch and happy to share that all 10 satellites have been mated to their dispenser and are being prepped for fueling! 🛰️ ⛽  😃

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Slip to Jan 10th? (No! See below)

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/1078275804507918338

Our 46th Iridium Block 1 reentry occurred over Antarctica yesterday at 12:17 UTC (+/- 1 minute). SV035 was launched 9/27/97 from VAFB on a Delta II.  SV090 should be coming down next - in about 40 days. However, UP next will be final 10 new IridiumNEXT sats in 14 days! #Flarewell

Edit to add:

Panic over, counting issue ... so all still on track 

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/1078283225259261952

Oops.  I meant 11 days.  It's coming faster than I thought!  (and it means I can't count...)

[ChrisGebhardt]

NET Jan 6:

 The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission will launch no earlier than Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1078686393755467777

Seeking confirmation on what effect this might have on Iridium 8, currently scheduled fo NET 7 January.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Worth noting, too, that "not hearing anything about this" is not the same "We're still good to go on 7 January."  Let's see how this plays out.

Matt Desch
@IridiumBoss
"Not hearing anything about this but checking.  Meanwhile, our 10 satellites are mated, fueled, and just completing encapsulation in the fairing..."

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1078703412433301505

[zubenelgenubi]

Three questions; I'm sure they're already being worked:

DoD is funded for FY2019 and is not "closed down" due to the partial federal government furlough.  The processing and launch facilities are on a USAFB.

Q1: Therefore, the furlough should not delay or prevent this launch?

(Ditto relevance for NROL-71 launch.)

Q2: Will any of the activities for the Iridium Next launch interfere with the launch activities for NROL-71?  That includes the Falcon 9 Static Fire, which should be happening soon-ish.

Q3: If there are any issues, like range re-sets or feuled LV proximity to a several $billion NSS payload; then would not the easiest solution be to let the NROL-71 launch date slip the appropriate number of days AFTER the Iridium Next launch?

Cross-post; re: NROL-71:

<snip>
Anyways, I just don't see this launching before F9, unless F9 slips quite a few days.

Edit: Thanks, Chris G!

[ChrisGebhardt]

Three questions; I'm sure they're already being worked:

DoD is funded for FY2019 and is not "closed down" due to the partial federal government furlough.  The processing and launch facilities are on a USAFB.

Q1: Therefore, the furlough should not delay or prevent this launch?

(Ditto relevance for NROL-71 launch.)

Q2: Will any of the activities for the Iridium Next launch interfere with the launch activities for NROL-71?  That includes the Falcon 9 Static Fire, which should be happening soon-ish.

Q3: If there are any issues, like range re-sets or feuled LV proximity to a several $billion NSS payload; then would not the easiest solution be to let the NROL-71 launch date slip the appropriate number of days AFTER the Iridium Next launch?

Cross-post; re: NROL-71:

<snip>
Anyways, I just don't see this launching before F9, unless F9 slips quite a few days.

1. As with SpaceX GPS III launch last week, the partial government shutdown is not affected US launches from a Range support perspective.
2. No.  As with Falcon 9 SSO-A launch from Vandy in early December, which occurred when NROL-71 was already mated to the Delta IV Heavy, Falcon 9 launches themselves do not affect NROL-71 and NRO/ULA cannot demand that SpaceX not launch because their payload/vehicle is on a neighboring pad.
3. No, that is not the simplest solution because there are no issues with a fueled Falcon 9 launching another mission while NROL-71 is on the pad.  And it also does not take into account the capital that SpaceX and Iridium have already laid out and would likely stand to lose if NRO/ULA tried to claim priority for a mission that's slipped multiple times in the last 6 weeks and holds no guarantee of being ready or, if ready, launching on 6 January.

[deruch]

Three questions; I'm sure they're already being worked:

DoD is funded for FY2019 and is not "closed down" due to the partial federal government furlough.  The processing and launch facilities are on a USAFB.

Q1: Therefore, the furlough should not delay or prevent this launch?

Correct, DOD/Range support shouldn't be affected. 

The Department of Transportation, which includes the FAA, IS impacted.  However, the FAA's commercial space launch oversight is on the department/agency's list of exempt activities (PDF) so there won't be any issues there.  Besides which, SpaceX already has their launch license for this mission, so it's not clear whether this would have been a problem even if only the FAA's "day of launch" activities were exempted.

Likewise, since SpaceX presumably already has their FCC spectrum grants for this mission any shutdown impacts to the FCC should be irrelevant. 

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1079807733287796736

#Iridium8 Update:  SpaceX has informed us that they need an extra day to prep for Iridium8, moving us to our backup date.  We are now targeting Jan 8th at 7:48 AM PT (15:48 UTC) with a new backup of Jan 9th, out of VAFB. #IridiumNEXT

[Tomness]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1079807733287796736

#Iridium8 Update:  SpaceX has informed us that they need an extra day to prep for Iridium8, moving us to our backup date.  We are now targeting Jan 8th at 7:48 AM PT (15:48 UTC) with a new backup of Jan 9th, out of VAFB. #IridiumNEXT

Static Fire test is NET Friday.

Its all lining up. lets hope for a good static fire, good quick review. lights this candle!

[whitelancer64]

Whoever designed this patch needs a pay raise and a bonus.

That's beautiful and creative!!

https://twitter.com/iridiumcomm/status/1081230964121104384

[zubenelgenubi]

Puzzle pieces in play--apologies for the text-Tweet wall.  However, I need them to show how I reach my conclusions.  I also have 2 questions, marked with Q.:

Falcon 9 static fire DID occur on Sunday, January 6.  New, delayed launch date is TBD/TBA.  Cross-post:

Iridium:

"I am reaching out to let you know SpaceX successfully completed the static fire test early this morning for the eighth and final Iridium NEXT launch.  This means that the launch is no longer scheduled for January 8th. We are working with SpaceX and Vandenberg Air Force Base to determine the next best launch opportunity and will provide another update as soon as any new information is made available. "

However, 2nd cross-post:

Hopefully not much of a slip as JRTI has departed port:

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1082021129047470080

Droneship Departure! Just Read The Instructions is being towed out of LA ahead of the upcoming Iridium 8 mission! The droneship is heading 244km downrange to the blue marker. Map via @Raul74Cz

Q1) If observers don't see/note JRTI returning to port, that would imply a delay of short duration?

Meanwhile, at SLC-6; 3rd cross-post:

Tanking test confirmed

Tanking test today, per L2.

Confirmed:

https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix/status/1080890968289624064

And; 4th cross-post, with an apparent launch date of the 11th, and back-up launch dates:

Confirmed:
https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix/status/1080890968289624064

Any update on how the tanking test went (or if it happened at all)?

EDIT: Ok, I'm self-answering since I just found this tweet:


https://twitter.com/MXSOCAL/status/1081258057869316096

However in the 5th cross-post:

ULA:

ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 Launch Date Under Review

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Jan. 5, 2019) – The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission launch date is under review. A new launch date and time will be provided pending the results of additional testing.

“We continue to remedy the technical issues that caused the last scrub of the Delta IV Heavy, and are working with our partners, the National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Air Force, to ensure that we fly when it is safe to do so,” said Gary Wentz, vice president of Government and Commercial programs, “we understand that this is a high-priority mission for the nation’s warfighters and we take our commitment to safety and mission assurance seriously.”

Which suggests; 6th cross-post ( ugordan's play-on-words):

That update suggests the recent tanking test didn't really flush out all the gremlins?

Which leads to the 7th cross-post:

https://twitter.com/spcplcyonline/status/1082039666717745153

In response to my question about the launch date for #NROL71, ULA said "Hope to have a new date by this week. " So looks like it's going to be a while...

"This week" is January 6-12, which includes the first two potential dates earlier in this post.

My conclusions:
If there were no serious issues revealed with the Falcon 9 Static Fire, then the Iridium launch should occur, at most, a few days after January 8--later this week.

NROL-71 will occur NET the Western Range re-set time after the Falcon 9 flies.
Q2) How long is WR re-set now, after last year's upgrades?

As there are apparently still technical issues to work out on the DIV-H, launch could be "a while."  If they require validation with another WDR, it could be a longer while.

EDIT: I did miss that information, gongora!  Thank you!
(I hope the NROL-71 delay is not so long as to bump up against the RCM Radarsat constellation launch on Falcon 9 in the week of February 18!)

[gongora]

(I hope the NROL-71 delay is not so long as to bump up against the RCM Radarsat constellation launch on Falcon 9 in the week of February 18!)

Off-topic for this thread, but I wouldn't worry about NROL-71 conflicting with RCM, I expect it (RCM) will be delayed.  See that thread for the reason if you missed it.

[Zed_Noir]

....
My conclusions:
If there were no serious issues revealed with the Falcon 9 Static Fire, then the Iridium launch should occur, at most, a few days after January 8--later this week.
....

cross post from the "Delta IV-H - NROL-71 - NET January 11, 2019" thread to add to the confusion.

Launch Alert
9:21 PM

The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of January 8. The Falcon is scheduled to lift off from the south base at 07:48 PST and carry Iridium NEXT satellites 66-75 into orbit.

The Delta IV Heavy launch has been delayed indefinitely. There is no new launch date.

[emphasis Bold mine, Tony]

[gongora]

The DIV-H launch really has nothing to do with this one.

[mn]

The DIV-H launch really has nothing to do with this one.

I suspect he's referring to this part (my bold) of the quote:

Launch Alert
9:21 PM

The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of January 8. The Falcon is scheduled to lift off from the south base at 07:48 PST and carry Iridium NEXT satellites 66-75 into orbit.
...

I'm not clear on who this alert is from, but they either have new info, or old info

[guckyfan]

The DIV-H launch really has nothing to do with this one.

As long as ULA keeps the Delta IV Heavy on the pad they block RTLS for SpaceX.

[envy887]

The DIV-H launch really has nothing to do with this one.

As long as ULA keeps the Delta IV Heavy on the pad they block RTLS for SpaceX.

Matt Desch said they were too heavy for RTLS, so that is still irrelevant to this mission.

[Tomness]

SpaceX CRS-16 Dragon C112.2 Re-entry Area for Thursday 10 Jan in window between 14:50-15:20 UTC.
Landing approx.252km southeast of the Port of LA, nearby planned Iridium-8 droneship position.
Alternative landing Sunday 13 Jan 13:50-14:20 UTC.

Interesting maybe they don't won't Dragon to come down on the droneship & fairing recovery?

[catdlr]

The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of January 8. The Falcon is scheduled to lift off from the south base at 07:48 PST and carry Iridium NEXT satellites 66-75 into orbit.
...

I'm not clear on who this alert is from, but they either have new info, or old info

The Launch Alert comes from this source (via email to subscribers)

Brian Webb
[email protected]
www.spacearchive.info

He provides launch updates for VAFB that I post on this NSF thread:

Vandenberg Air Force Base - Missile Test notices

Tony

[zubenelgenubi]

Re: discussion up-thread: Brian Webb published apparently old information.

From the launch update thread:
Launch is Friday, January 11 morning PST, and the weather forecast is improving.
Back-up launch is Saturday, January 12 morning PST.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47088.msg1898233#msg1898233
and
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47088.msg1898320#msg1898320

[MattBaker]

Just for confirmation, the 60% weather does include ground winds but doesn't include high-altitude wind, correct?

[deruch]

Just for confirmation, the 60% weather does include ground winds but doesn't include high-altitude wind, correct?

Correct.

[techdude06]

I happen to be in Irvine CA for business and looking for a spot to maybe get a chance to see this launch from around the area, does anyone know of any locations around about an hour from here where I could get a decent view for this launch?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[radiskull]

I happen to be in Irvine CA for business and looking for a spot to maybe get a chance to see this launch from around the area, does anyone know of any locations around about an hour from here where I could get a decent view for this launch?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

It may be too light out for a good view, but I have watched a few launches from Canyon View Park off of San Joaquin Road in Newport Beach.

[deruch]

I happen to be in Irvine CA for business and looking for a spot to maybe get a chance to see this launch from around the area, does anyone know of any locations around about an hour from here where I could get a decent view for this launch?

It may be too light out for a good view, but I have watched a few launches from Canyon View Park off of San Joaquin Road in Newport Beach.

Yep, sunrise in the LA area on Jan. 11th will be right about 7AM.  Launch is scheduled for 7:31AM.  So, lighting conditions won't be dark enough for it to be great launch viewing even if the weather cooperates.  But you can only get what's on offer, so good luck techdude.

[HVM]

Is there any news on the grid fin's hydraulics fix/upgrade?

[edit] upgrade. Fins worked just fine last time:

[Llian Rhydderch]

With the 11 Jan launch now just 12 hours away, it seems a bit odd that there has been no link to the launch webcast yet. 

I just looked on spacex.com and it seems it is simply not yet posted.

Is this abnormal timing for SpqceX/Iridium?

[Nomadd]

With the 11 Jan launch now just 12 hours away, it seems a bit odd that there has been no link to the launch webcast yet. 

I just looked on spacex.com and it seems it is simply not yet posted.

Is this abnormal timing for SpqceX/Iridium?

14 1/2 hours away, isn't it?

[Llian Rhydderch]

You are correct.  I seem to be working in the medieval time frame of quarter and half days.   

[ajmarco]

With the 11 Jan launch now just 12 hours away, it seems a bit odd that there has been no link to the launch webcast yet. 

I just looked on spacex.com and it seems it is simply not yet posted.

Is this abnormal timing for SpqceX/Iridium?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47088.msg1899295#msg1899295

Posted earlier today in the update thread.

[cwr]

With the 11 Jan launch now just 12 hours away, it seems a bit odd that there has been no link to the launch webcast yet. 

I just looked on spacex.com and it seems it is simply not yet posted.

Is this abnormal timing for SpqceX/Iridium?

The best way to view the webcast link is to use http://www.spacex.com/webcast
[I'm deliberately just quoting the address in case you weren't aware of it].

Frequently though not always that is the earliest way to see the webcast.
I don't remember where I saw that the webcast was up but I was viewing it some hours before your post.

The "watch live" link on the spacex home page and the link on youtube usually come after the webcast link.

Hope that helps

Carl

[Llian Rhydderch]

SpaceX finally posted a link an hour or so ago. 

[eeergo]

During our remote camera setup, no photos was permitted until the F9 was in UP position which takes about 10 minutes while the lighting condition was fading away fast.

Why was that, if I may ask?

[Semmel]

During our remote camera setup, no photos was permitted until the F9 was in UP position which takes about 10 minutes while the lighting condition was fading away fast.

Why was that, if I may ask?

Same question. Also someone else mentioned it was not allowed to take photos from the front, only from the back. Why?

[HVM]

B1049.2 is one quarters of ugly, and three quarters of shy, so be considerate. But at least she has working grid fins.

[TorenAltair]

Yeah, John Insprucker! Best man.

[Flux_Void]

Weather looks beautiful. Everything good so far!

[Joffan]

Did they let Matt Desch say "go for launch"? and final count!

edit to add: confirmed by Innsprucker

[vandersons]

Obligatory cutlery drop in the SpaceX canteen.

That landing looks to be very much dead centre, remarkable!

[meekGee]

Just caught up with the web cast.

I can't remember seeing the grid fins working so hard during descent.  Some serious wind sheer on the way down...  Also the from the drone ship video - a lot of rock'n'rolling...

But yeah, ho hum, F9 nailed it as usual.

[Pete]

Just caught up with the web cast.

I can't remember seeing the grid fins working so hard during descent.  Some serious wind sheer on the way down...  Also the from the drone ship video - a lot of rock'n'rolling...

But yeah, ho hum, F9 nailed it as usual.

I would have a real hard time just *standing* on that deck, it really blows the mind that the Falcon9 can execute a pinpoint landing on it in that weather and sea.

[ATPTourFan]

Just caught up with the web cast.

I can't remember seeing the grid fins working so hard during descent.  Some serious wind sheer on the way down...  Also the from the drone ship video - a lot of rock'n'rolling...

But yeah, ho hum, F9 nailed it as usual.

Agree. Grid fin activity was high and I had prepared myself for an off-"norminal" landing. Amazed it hit the target. Shows that the closed loop software by Lars is working swimmingly. Just need to work in some redundancy for the grid fin systems down the road.

For all we know, they have already determined root cause of the recent CRS B1050 landing issue and have determined best course forward.

[deruch]

Just caught up with the web cast.

I can't remember seeing the grid fins working so hard during descent.  Some serious wind sheer on the way down...  Also the from the drone ship video - a lot of rock'n'rolling...

But yeah, ho hum, F9 nailed it as usual.

Yeah, and since you couldn't actually see the ASDS under the low cloud deck I was thinking, "Shoot, I really hope the boat is down there."  But then even though it lost video we got to see the exhaust lighting up the ship.  Very happy to have all things right in "Rocket Landing World" again.

[Rondaz]

SpaceX Launch Final 10 Iridium NEXT Satellites

By Andrew Parsonson - January 11, 2019

https://rocketrundown.com/spacex-launch-final-10-iridium-next-satellites/

[punder]

The Mvac engine bell went through a big shudder shimmy on the first cutoff.

And no, I don't think anything's wrong. I just liked the way it looked.   

Congrats SpaceX, and Iridium--must be a huge relief for Matt D. to get the main launches behind him! He sounded a tad excited during the countdown.

Edit: I like "shimmy." Better matches SpaceX's funkytown vibe.

[ugordan]

Man, I'm really not digging this new "let's compression-artifact the crap out of all live streams" approach by YouTube recently...

[matthewkantar]

Remember how this contract was received when it was first announced? It has worked out very well for Iridium, SpaceX, and any party with a need for truly world wide connectivity. Congrats to all involved.

Matthew

[flyright]

The Mvac engine bell went through a big shudder on the first cutoff.

And no, I don't think anything's wrong. I just liked the way it looked.   

Congrats SpaceX, and Iridium--must be a huge relief for Matt D. to get the main launches behind him! He sounded a tad excited during the countdown.

Saw that! Agree, it's nothing abnormal, but I'm always amazed at how flexible that big engine bell is.

Thank You Iridium for selecting SpaceX!

[Lars-J]

Great mission!

I'm always amazed the short MVac relight (or more of a burp) is precise enough, but it is! It doesn't look like the relight for these flights even reaches full thrust before it is shut down. They seem to know exactly how much impulse is given during startup and shutdown.

[edkyle99]

During our remote camera setup, no photos was permitted until the F9 was in UP position which takes about 10 minutes while the lighting condition was fading away fast.

Why was that, if I may ask?

Same question. Also someone else mentioned it was not allowed to take photos from the front, only from the back. Why?

I'm going to guess that this thingy a few miles down the coast might have had something to do with the rules.  But I could be wrong.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44545.msg1890322#msg1890322

 - Ed Kyle

[Semmel]

I thought of thats but its in a fairing and there are cameras much closer directly pointing at it anyway. All I heared so far is they are fiddling with the rocket, not the payload.

[Helodriver]

Did a something a little different and went for the distant day 4 min 45 second streak shot for today's Iridium 8. I think it turned out rather well! Shot from Harris Grade Road overlook, 11.7 mi NE of the pad to get a little angle and perspective.

[ugordan]

Man, I'm really not digging this new "let's compression-artifact the crap out of all live streams" approach by YouTube recently...

And FYI, the archived webcast is now at its full originally-intended quality.

[Comga]

During our remote camera setup, no photos was permitted until the F9 was in UP position which takes about 10 minutes while the lighting condition was fading away fast.

Why was that, if I may ask?

Same question. Also someone else mentioned it was not allowed to take photos from the front, only from the back. Why?

I'm going to guess that this thingy a few miles down the coast might have had something to do with the rules.  But I could be wrong.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44545.msg1890322#msg1890322

 - Ed Kyle

Did a something a little different and went for the distant day 4 min 45 second streak shot for today's Iridium 8. I think it turned out rather well! Shot from Harris Grade Road overlook, 11.7 mi NE of the pad to get a little angle and perspective.

Very nice shot
What are the two plumes along the track, and in what order are they?
Is one of them the reentry braking burn that just happens to end on the arc from your perspective?   That Seems unlikely.

[ugordan]

What are the two plumes along the track, and in what order are they?

If you're asking about the lower two plumes, those are two distinct contrails that happened on this flight. The upper one the usual one that happens around max-Q.

[cppetrie]

What are the two plumes along the track, and in what order are they?

If you're asking about the lower two plumes, those are two distinct contrails that happened on this flight. The upper one the usual one that happens around max-Q.

So first one might be when the vehicle becomes transonic and the second as it passes through max-Q?

[ugordan]

Probably just down to meteorological conditions on that particular day, humidity/temperature conditions. Otherwise it would be showing up on most other launches as well.

[HVM]

The old strong back setup strike again; it's on fire:

Maybe it's more cost effective to change the umbilicals each time than update the TEL, at Vandenberg launch rate.

[gongora]

So did this flight have 9 sats staying in Plane 3 and one drifting to Plane 4 for a final distribution of:
12-12-14-12-12-13?

[IntoTheVoid]

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1084487258277904384

Thanks for complimenting my countdown for Iridium-8, and thanks to Eric "K10" Krystkowiak from SpaceX for asking me to do it. My twitter followers here gave him the idea when you confused his voice for mine a few launches ago. If you buy 8 launches from them - you can do it too!

[Rondaz]

Satellite plane-tracking goes global

By Jonathan Amos
BBC Science Correspondent 27 minutes ago

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47793983