Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Starlink 6 (v1.0 L5) : Mar. 18, 2020 - Discussion (Read 129276 times)

Brian45 · « **Reply #40 on:** 03/13/2020 11:48 am »

I agree that this is not the place to discuss the issue of the webcasts, but lacking an alternative where we can add our voices to the clamor to continue them (à la Star Trek in the 70s), I'll add my two cents.

They are great recruiting tools, but more importantly they help to sustain the enthusiasm level of the public. Who can resist the view of landing a booster? Two at a time is even more spectacular.

As far as the on-camera crew is concerned, they are terrific, but more importantly, they are readily identifiable as regular people with all the foibles and faux pas that we don't get from talking heads.

But - it doesn't mean it can't improve. My suggestion is to bring back Hans, SpaceX's answer to Scotty!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #41 on:** 03/13/2020 12:05 pm »

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/1238447703333494784

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The Falcon 9 is being lifted upright at launch pad 39A in readiness for a routine pre-launch engine test firing later today: spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/13/fal…

capoman · « **Reply #42 on:** 03/13/2020 12:21 pm »

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-next-starlink-launch-biggest-rocket-reusability-milestone

Teslarati has given this milestone the coverage it deserves. Thanks Eric.

Also, SFN is covering the static fire now. Fire is only one day ahead of launch, and has payload attached.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #43 on:** 03/13/2020 12:30 pm »

https://twitter.com/antoniaj_11/status/1238453158092976132

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#coronavirus might be cancelling everything but #SpaceX is still scheduling to launch it’s #Falcon9 rocket for its sixth #Starlink mission tomorrow morning and the rocket is now vertical at pad 39A.

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1238456462113988609

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The #SpaceX #Falcon 9 started rising at launch pad 39A #KSC about 850 AM ET this morning ahead of a routine pre-launch static fire engine test today to prepare for launch NET Sat 942 AM. Credit: Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNow

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #44 on:** 03/13/2020 03:27 pm »

L-1 launch weather forecast unchanged at 90% GO

magicsound · « **Reply #45 on:** 03/13/2020 04:22 pm »

Any sign of a static fire happening today (Friday)? SFN showed the vehicle vertical this morning. Half way through the six hour window, there should be some sign of activity, if not propellant loading.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #46 on:** 03/13/2020 04:41 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1238515127625932804

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Of Course I Still Love You has arrived at the landing zone for the upcoming Starlink mission this weekend! The droneship is positioned ~628km downrange.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #47 on:** 03/13/2020 06:04 pm »

https://twitter.com/emspeck/status/1238540505295839238

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.@SpaceX is now aiming for Sunday morning to launch its next round of Starlink satellites

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #48 on:** 03/13/2020 07:04 pm »

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/03/12/spacex-to-launch-another-round-of-starlink-satellites-saturday/

Please note the article hyperlink still mentions the Saturday launch, the article title in the tweet says Saturday, and the article lede in the Tweet mentions "Saturday morning cartoons."

Now the article refers to "Sunday morning cartoons," etc.

Launch is now Sunday, March 15, 9:22 am EDT = 1322 UTC.
***

Quote from: SpaceFinnOriginal on 03/13/2020 06:48 pm

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SpaceX is now aiming for Sunday morning to launch its next round of Starlink satellites

Why?

I assume it's because they didn't complete the Static Fire today? [Edit: Static Fire near sunset.] ~~So, the Static Fire is postponed to Saturday~~, and the launch is postponed to Sunday.

We should (I hope) hear from SpaceX soon enough.
***

I also assume that Falcon 9 will remain vertical on the pad for a Saturday Static Fire. That's an assumption; we should hear from SpaceX soon enough.

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #49 on:** 03/13/2020 08:32 pm »

Looks like fueling is starting ahead of a static fire attempt tonight:

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1238578120367714312

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #50 on:** 03/13/2020 09:23 pm »

Static fire in 5 minutes:

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1238588650188943363

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #51 on:** 03/13/2020 09:31 pm »

Static Fire complete!

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1238593473894330374

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 03/13/2020 09:41 pm »

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1238595761547460608

AndrewRG10 · « **Reply #53 on:** 03/13/2020 10:41 pm »

I was wondering when they would reuse those fairings! Glad to see B1048 gets two debut two re-flights of fairings.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610287256723456

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The fairing previously flew on the Starlink launch in May 2019

edit/gongora: formatting

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #54 on:** 03/13/2020 10:45 pm »

Confirmation of good test, and also confirms core 48 is flying its 5th mission, and they are using previously flown fairings from a starlink mission in may of last year!

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610281581785088

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610282550714369

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610287256723456

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #55 on:** 03/13/2020 11:07 pm »

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #56 on:** 03/13/2020 11:27 pm »

L-2 launch weather forecast for Sunday still 90% GO (80% if further delay to Monday)

AndrewRG10 · « **Reply #57 on:** 03/14/2020 04:46 am »

Recovery weather looks good. 1.5 metre waves and minimal winds and minimal gusts at altitudes below 20,000ft. Very good for the fairings. Looking like perfect launch, just got to hope it isn't jinxed and it fails on launch or landing or a parachute fails on the fairing.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #58 on:** 03/14/2020 06:53 am »

https://twitter.com/abernnyc/status/1238676204049350656

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While @SpaceX's #Starlink launch may have been pushed back to Sunday, it was great seeing the Falcon 9 up close this afternoon with @adrian_ruiz_99, static fire and all.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #59 on:** 03/14/2020 01:32 pm »

Julia on her first mission for NSF

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1238834213488594944

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Kennedy Space Center is, indeed, home to nature and space. Falcon is poised on the pad at Launch Complex 39-A ahead of this weekend's Starlink launch. #Starlink

Weather looks perfect, tomorrow meant to be the same