SpaceX F9 : RCM (RADARSAT) : Vandenberg : June 12, 2019 - UPDATES

[Chris Bergin]

UPDATE ONLY Thread for RCM RADARSAT Constellation mission.

NSF Threads for RCM RADARSAT Constellation : Discussion / Updates
NSF Articles for RCM RADARSAT Constellation :

Successful launch June 12, 2019 at 0717 PDT (1417 UTC) on reused Falcon 9 (booster 1051.2) from Vandenberg.  Successful RTLS landing at LZ-4.  Mass is 1430kg for each of the three satellites plus a custom deployer.  Orbit is 600km SSO.


[ Edit Oct. 23, 2017: Most of the references to this mission still have it launching in the second half of 2018.  Except for that one comment from DLR that they were calibrating the transponders leading up to launch in 2019.  The mass is generally listed as about 1400kg (total?), except for that one saying it's 1600kg. ]

http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp


Very short presser, so beefed it up with the history etc.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/spacex-falcon-9-radarsat-constellation/


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

[Chris Bergin]

L2 info has the Static Fire test NET June 12, placing the launch on the 15th or 16th.

[jacqmans]

Media Advisory

CSA experts to give briefing on the upcoming Canadian RADARSAT satellite constellation

Longueuil, Quebec, May 29, 2019 — On June 4, 2019, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) experts Steve Iris and Magdalena Wierus will answer questions from the media about the RADARSAT Constellation Mission during a virtual technical briefing.

This will be an opportunity for the media to better understand the mission, its technical characteristics and the various solutions it will provide for Canadians, before its scheduled launch on June 11, 2019.

Only media who have registered will be allowed to participate in the virtual briefing.

To register and to be able to ask a question, interested media are asked to send an email to the CSA’s Media Relations Office at [email protected] by Friday, May 31, at noon. Those who have registered will receive instructions via email on how to connect.

Date:           June 4, 2019

Time:           1:00 p.m. ET

What:          Virtual briefing with Canadian Space Agency experts

Who:           Steve Iris, mission manager

                 Magdalena Wierus, engineer


(Chris Note:  "before its scheduled launch on June 11, 2019." - our information still says it's not June 11)

[Chris Bergin]

Launch dates are always fluid, but with CSA holding to June 11 on its NET for RADARSAT, we're going to class that as the NET and see what happens with the Static Fire date, which at one point was June 12, thus some confusion. A wait and see situation, but NET June 11 launch date.

[Draggendrop]

// don't shoot the messenger...

https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1134806937684627456

[Elthiryel]

I asked about the launch time and got the answer:

https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1135289851350257665

[Chris Bergin]

FYI: This one is still dancing on the schedule. We understand it's a June 12 launch now, but given all the dancing let's just correctly use the "NET (No Earlier Than)" of June 11 and get to the Static Fire test. Launch Date becomes more official/solid after a good SF Test.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1136380494134874113

⚠️Please note that the launch of Canada’s new Earth observation satellites, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, is now targeted for Wednesday, June 12th at 10:17 a.m. (ET). #RCMSatellites

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1136633936443052035

Canada‘s newest #RCMSatellites are ready to launch on June 12. They were recently installed on their dispenser and inserted into the rocket fairing at @SpaceX facilities in Vandenberg Air Force Base. More about RCM: http://asc-csa.gc.ca/RCM . 🛰️

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Payload clearly ready:

https://twitter.com/mda_maxar/status/1136774374391001090

[Chris Bergin]

The Static Fire test of Falcon 9 (B1051.2) - ahead of the June 12 launch of RADARSAT - is set to take place this weekend at SLC-4E, Vandenberg. The test is on the Western Range for "June 8-9" per L2 Vandy, so NET Saturday.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1136986356238901248

[Chris Bergin]

Vertical on the pad:

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1137355083845447680

[RocketLover0119]

Static Fire complete!

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1137383580529618946

EDIT: confirmed booster is B1051.2!

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1137384118784684032

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/jm_levesque/status/1137433599211257858

Static Fire Test of #Falcon9 #rocket which will launch the #RCMSatellites in the coming days. @MDA_maxar @csa_asc @asc_csa @SpaceX

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1137398636541874178

After years of hard work and dedication, Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission is ready for launch. Today's static fire test by @SpaceX confirms the launch is a 'go' for Wednesday, June 12 at 7:17am PT. Great job team! #RCMSatellites #CdnSpace

[Raul]

Launch Hazard Areas for M1349 RADARSAT Constellation Mission based on issued NOTAMs.
Stage2 Reentry Debris Area east of Hawaii after the first orbit in window between 15:54 and 16:30 UTC.

[gongora]

FALCON 9 LAUNCH CONFIRMED, SONIC BOOM POSSIBLE
30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published June 08, 2019

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Team Vandenberg is scheduled to support the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex-4 on Wednesday, Jun. 12, with the launch window opening at 7:17 a.m. Pacific Time. 

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander, will be the space launch commander.

"Team V continues its dedication to assured access to space for the nation," said Reeves. "Partnership is vital to mission success, and we are proud to share the load of this mission with SpaceX."

SpaceX is attempting the secondary mission of landing the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at Landing Zone 4, which was previously called SLC-4W.

Local residents may see the first stage of the Falcon 9 returning to Vandenberg AFB, including multiple engine burns associated with the landing. During the landing attempt, residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear one or more sonic booms. A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder. The sonic boom experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.

The public can view this launch from the Hawk's Nest on Azalea Lane off of Hwy 1 just over a mile south of Vandenberg AFB's main gate, which will open at 6 a.m. and close after the conclusion of the landing of the first stage.

For more information regarding the launch or public viewing location, visit the 30th Space Wing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing/ or contact 30th Space Wing Public Affairs at (805) 606-3595.

For questions about the SpaceX mission, please contact SpaceX Media Relations at [email protected].

[FutureSpaceTourist]

F9 is visible on the pad:

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1138111227257872385

We’re excited for the upcoming launch of the #RADARSAT Constellation Mission on June 12th! Here is the launch area from June 8th, same day as @SpaceX completed its successful #Falcon9 static fire test. @csa_asc @MDA_maxar #RCMSatellites

[Elthiryel]

Press kit and launch webcast are now available!

https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/radarsat_constellation_mission_press_kit.pdf

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138474014152712192

Falcon 9 and RADARSAT Constellation Mission have rolled out to SLC-4E. Tomorrow’s 13-minute launch window opens at 7:17 a.m. PDT, 14:17 UTC → http://spacex.com/webcast