Targeting two Falcon 9 launches from Florida this weekend → http://spacex.com/launchesUp first, Falcon 9 will launch the European Commission’s Galileo L12 mission on Saturday from pad 39A.Then on Sunday, a Falcon 9 launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from pad 40.
Quote from: edkyle99 on 04/27/2024 01:16 pmThis is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose. - Ed KyleSpeaking of payload adapters, I sifted through the Arianespace press kits relating to the Soyuz Galileo missions and saw the adapter mass ranges between 150 to 180 kg.Given a Galileo satellite weighs 733 kg, total payload mass is between 1,616 and 1,646 kg.
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 04/27/2024 01:16 pmSecond stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose. - Ed KyleI doubt that we will see a disposal in the ocean. Perhaps a two burn raising of the orbit to get it 200 kilometers or so above the operational Galileo orbit. Element sets may be available after launch and if so will provide that answer.
Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: ZachS09 on 04/27/2024 02:40 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 04/27/2024 01:16 pmThis is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose. - Ed KyleSpeaking of payload adapters, I sifted through the Arianespace press kits relating to the Soyuz Galileo missions and saw the adapter mass ranges between 150 to 180 kg.Given a Galileo satellite weighs 733 kg, total payload mass is between 1,616 and 1,646 kg.That's for a Soyuz dispenser, not an F9 one...
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightLAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1060-20's final launch, carrying the European Galileo FOC FM25 & FM27 satellites. Overview: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2024/04/launch-roundup-042224/NSF Livestream: https://youtube.com/watch?v=zb8eVJhIp_U
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightStaging 1-2.Farewell, B1060, and we thank you.
SpaceX@SpaceXFairing separation confirmed. This marks the 200th mission to use flight-proven fairings!5:38 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX@SpaceXDue to the additional performance required to deliver the payload to medium Earth orbit, this mission marks the 20th and final launch for this Falcon 9 first stage booster5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX@SpaceXThe last time a first stage was expended during a Falcon 9 mission was 146 flights ago in November 2022. On most Falcon 9 missions, enough propellant remains in the first stage after stage separation to enable landing, recovery, and ultimately reuse on future missions5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX@SpaceXWe’re working toward qualifying our fleet of Falcon boosters and fairings to support 40 missions each. Increasing Falcon's flight count provides valuable information on repeated reuse, a critical element for making life multiplanetary with Starship5:40 PM · Apr 27, 2024
The last time a first stage was expended during a Falcon 9 mission was 146 flights ago in November 2022. On most Falcon 9 missions, enough propellant remains in the first stage after stage separation to enable landing, recovery, and ultimately reuse on future missions
