SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 6 for Falcon 9’s launch of the SXM-8 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The one-hour and 59-minute launch window opens at 12:26 a.m. EDT, 4:26 UTC, and a backup launch opportunity is available on Monday, June 7 with the same one-hour and 59-minute launch window.Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously supported SpaceX’s Crew-1 and Crew-2 missions, which launched astronauts to the International Space Station. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean.
PALO ALTO, Calif. – July 28, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that it was selected to provide two high power satellites to SiriusXM, the world’s largest radio company measured by revenue. The next generation satellites, SXM-7 and SXM-8, will replace the XM-3 and XM-4 satellites in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and will help ensure continuous and reliable delivery of SiriusXM’s audio entertainment and data services to more than 30.6 million subscribers across North America.“SiriusXM provides an unparalleled variety of audio entertainment for radio listeners in North America,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “We have a long history of working with SiriusXM to develop some of the world’s most advanced satellites, which broadcast to cars and radios for the home, office, and mobile devices. We are honored to be selected to build two additional satellites that will reinforce and augment the fleet’s capability.”Both SXM-7 and SXM-8 will operate in the S-band spectrum. Each satellite will generate more than 20-kW of power and will have a large unfurlable antenna reflector, which enables broadcast to radios without the need for large dish-type antennas on the ground.SSL has previously built a total of seven satellites for SiriusXM, including its first generation Sirius satellites, which were launched in 2000. Of the seven satellites built, one was a ground spare that was never needed due to the reliability of the original constellation. It was donated to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in 2012.“We are pleased to once again collaborate with SSL on two advanced satellites that will bolster service to our subscribers for years to come,” said Bridget Neville, vice president of satellite and terrestrial engineering and operations at SiriusXM. “SSL is a premier designer and manufacturer of reliable communications satellites, with the technological capability to meet our demanding requirements. We look forward to working together on the new satellites.”SXM-7 and SXM-8 are based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellites are designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.
In order to ensure continuity of service to its customers, Sirius XM has entered into contracts to build and launch two next-generation satellites, SXM-7 and SXM-8. Sirius XM proposes to operate SXM-7 at 85.15° W.L. and SXM-8 at 115.25° W.L., but the two satellites are technically identical and each is capable of operating at either of these orbital locations. Sirius XM currently plans to launch SXM-7 in late 2019, with operations commencing in the first quarter of 2020, and plans to launch SXM-8 and commence operations in mid-2020. Prior to commencing operations, each satellite will undergo IOT at 120° W.L., which will allow Sirius XM to verify the performance characteristics of the spacecraft prior to deployment.
We're also currently manufacturing SiriusXM-8, which is expected to launch in 2021.
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=1045891920-EX-ST-2020Most likely SXM-8, covers pre-launch testing for a commercial payload on mission 1441. Tests involve fairing re-rad operations at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral AFS or Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, and stand-alone testing at the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility. This STA is not for flight.Requested Period of OperationOperation Start Date: 02/07/2021Operation End Date: 08/07/2021
The launch date for SXM-8 is currently targeted for the first half of 2021.
Quote from: Jansen on 12/29/2020 03:12 pmhttps://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=1045891920-EX-ST-2020Most likely SXM-8, covers pre-launch testing for a commercial payload on mission 1441. Tests involve fairing re-rad operations at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral AFS or Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, and stand-alone testing at the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility. This STA is not for flight.Requested Period of OperationOperation Start Date: 02/07/2021Operation End Date: 08/07/2021
[Maxar] Your Favorite SiriusXM Channel, Brought to You From SpaceQuoteThe launch date for SXM-8 is currently targeted for the first half of 2021.
This application uses information from previous grant, 1333-EX-ST-2020. This STA is necessary to authorize launch vehicle communications for SpaceX Mission 1441, from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSC, and the experimental recovery operation following the Falcon 9 launch. Includes sub-orbital first stage, and orbital second stage. Trajectory data will be provided directly to NTIA, USAF, and NASA. All downrange Earth stations are receive-only. Launch licensing authority is FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
Sirius XM Radio Inc.(“Sirius XM”) respectfully requestsspecial temporary authority (“STA”) for a period of 180 dayscommencing ten days after launch of itsSXM-8satelliteto permit in-orbit testing (“IOT”) of the spacecraft at 120.5° W.L.+/-0.1 degrees. SXM-8 is a replacement satellite for Sirius XM’s digital audio radio service (“SDARS”)and iscurrently scheduled to be launched on June 1, 2021
Importantly, work on Sirius-XM8 has completed and the satellites enroute to the launch facility. We're looking forward to launch in a few weeks.
The following is most likely for SXM-8, since the previous grant referenced was for SXM-7:https://fcc.report/ELS/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp-SpaceX/0494-EX-ST-2021QuoteThis application uses information from previous grant, 1333-EX-ST-2020. This STA is necessary to authorize launch vehicle communications for SpaceX Mission 1441, from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSC, and the experimental recovery operation following the Falcon 9 launch. Includes sub-orbital first stage, and orbital second stage. Trajectory data will be provided directly to NTIA, USAF, and NASA. All downrange Earth stations are receive-only. Launch licensing authority is FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation.Operation Start Date: 05/21/2021Operation End Date: 11/21/2021
Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s Sirius-FM8 launches from the Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX launch vehicle on June 1st, 2021. USN will support the In-Orbit-Testing (IOT) when the spacecraft is parked at 120.5 degree. The IOT will nominally last for 21 days with an additional 9 days of contingency.
http://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.htmlQuoteFALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the next batch of Starlink internet satellites from pad 40 on May 26 at 2:59pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the SiriusXM-8 communication satellite on June 1 at 12:25am EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the next Dragon resupply mission, CRS-22, on June 3 at 1:29pm EDT. Upcoming launches include more batches of Starlink satellites. And a Falcon 9 will launch the fifth block III GPS satellite for the U.S. Air/Space Forces from pad 40 on June 17, sometime between 6-9pm EDT.
FALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the next batch of Starlink internet satellites from pad 40 on May 26 at 2:59pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the SiriusXM-8 communication satellite on June 1 at 12:25am EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the next Dragon resupply mission, CRS-22, on June 3 at 1:29pm EDT. Upcoming launches include more batches of Starlink satellites. And a Falcon 9 will launch the fifth block III GPS satellite for the U.S. Air/Space Forces from pad 40 on June 17, sometime between 6-9pm EDT.
If this flight is to be delayed from June 1 to later in early June, it hasn't been revealed yet to the usual sources. Update May 20Quote from: Salo on 05/21/2021 05:09 amhttp://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.htmlQuoteFALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral will launch the next batch of Starlink internet satellites from pad 40 on May 26 at 2:59pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the SiriusXM-8 communication satellite on June 1 at 12:25am EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the next Dragon resupply mission, CRS-22, on June 3 at 1:29pm EDT. Upcoming launches include more batches of Starlink satellites. And a Falcon 9 will launch the fifth block III GPS satellite for the U.S. Air/Space Forces from pad 40 on June 17, sometime between 6-9pm EDT.
The booster will almost certainly be B1060.8, but the addition of L28 on May 26 might indicate the launch is already slipping.They are both using SLC-40 with only a 5.5 day turnaround. Tight ASDS turnaround with CRS-22 as well.
As expected, word is coming down of a delay.Ben Cooper now listing Early June TBD.Next Spaceflight is confirming the slip, listing NET June. I’m expecting a launch date around 4-5 June.
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2021/05/27/spacex-ula-gearing-up-intense-florida-rocket-launch-cadence/7457144002/QuoteFinally, SpaceX's most tentative launch of June appears to be SiriusXM's SXM-8 mission, originally slated for the first day of the month. It could still fly from LC-40 in the first half, but little else was available as of late Thursday.
Finally, SpaceX's most tentative launch of June appears to be SiriusXM's SXM-8 mission, originally slated for the first day of the month. It could still fly from LC-40 in the first half, but little else was available as of late Thursday.
I’m expecting a launch date around 4-5 June.
010938Z JUN 21NAVAREA IV 462/21(11,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 060425Z TO 060713Z JUN, ALTERNATE 070425Z TO 070713Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-35-54N 080-35-05W, 28-37-00N 080-20-00W, 28-35-00N 079-59-00W, 28-33-00N 079-59-00W, 28-32-00N 080-17-00W, 28-31-21N 080-33-27W. B. 28-21-00N 075-40-00W, 28-36-00N 075-40-00W, 28-42-00N 074-29-00W, 28-53-00N 072-18-00W, 28-38-00N 071-43-00W, 28-04-00N 071-41-00W, 27-42-00N 072-17-00W, 28-06-00N 074-28-00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 070813Z JUN 21.
Departure! Just Read the Instructions droneship is outbound for the SXM-8 mission.Tug Finn Falgout will tow JRTI downrange to meet with support ship GO Quest.Views from Fleetcam:
Falcon 9 B1061-3 is at pad 40 for a static fire test later today. It can be seen from @NASASpaceflight's FleetcamLink to the livestream: youtu.be/gnt2wZBg89g
QuoteFalcon 9 B1061-3 is at pad 40 for a static fire test later today. It can be seen from NASASpaceflight's Fleetcam.
Falcon 9 B1061-3 is at pad 40 for a static fire test later today. It can be seen from NASASpaceflight's Fleetcam.
The static fire is supposed to be in 5 minutes, but it seems to be a bit delayed.
Just a quick burn
Scheduled:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021June 6 NET Q2 1 early - SiriusXM SXM-8 - Falcon 9-121 (1061.3 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 04:26 04:25 ~04:00 04:25-06:26 04:26-06:25June 17 July - GPS III SV05 - Falcon 9-122 (B1062.2 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 22:00-01:00 June 18(GPS: launch about 4 minutes earlier/day)NET late June late 23 - STP-3: STPSat-6, ROOSTER-1 (LDPE-1), small satellites (x6) - Atlas V 551 (AV-093) - Canaveral SLC-41June 24-30 late June-July late June - Transporter-2: Capella 5, D2/AtlaCom-1, GNOMES 2, ION SCV-003 [Ghalib, NAPA 2/RTAF-SAT 2, Neptuno, QMR-KWT, Spartan, W-Cube, hosted payloads: ADEO, LaserCube, Nebula, Worldfloods], LEMUR-2 (x1), LINCS A, LINCS B, Mandrake 2A, Mandrake 2B, Minas (x1), SAI-2, Satellogic sat (x4), Sherpa-FX2 [Astrocast (x5), Hawk (x3), LEMUR-2 (x3), Lynk-06, PAINANI-II, SpaceBEE (x12), hosted payload: TROOP-2 TagSat-2], Sherpa-LTE1 [ARTHUR-1, Faraday Phoenix, KSM-2 (Kleos Polar Vigilance Mission) (x4), LEMUR-2 (x1), Orbit Fab Tenzing, Shasta, Tiger-2], Starlink (x?) [v1.0], TUBIN, Vigoride-1 [Alba Cluster 3 (DelfiPQ, Grizu-263a, EASAT-2, Hades, TRSI-2, Sattla-2, Unicorn 1, Unicorn 2A, Unicorn 2D), AuroraSat-1, LABSAT, NUTSAT, STEAMSAT, SWIFTVISION, VZLUSAT-2], Vigoride-2 [Broncosat-1, Challenger, FEES-2, Gossamer, Guardian-Alpha, IRIS-A, Kepler-16, Kepler-17, Oresat0, SanoSat-1, STORK-1, STORK-2, STORK-3, Steamsat-2, TROPICS Pathfinder, TRSI-3], XR-2, YAM-2, YAM-3 - Falcon 9-123 (1060.8 L) - Canaveral SLC-40 Vandenberg SLC-4E(Sun-synchronous orbit satellites: launch at approximately the same time of day year-round)NET July NET June - Starlink flight 30 (x60) [v1.0 L29] - Falcon 9 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)NET July - Starlink flight 31? (x60) [v1.0 L30?] - Falcon 9 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)NET July - Starlink flight 32? (x60) [v1.0 L31?] - Falcon 9 (S) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40(Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)Changes on March 31stChanges on April 2ndChanges on April 4thChanges on April 15thChanges on April 16thChanges on May 4thChanges on May 5thChanges on May 11thChanges on May 12thChanges on May 15thChanges on May 20thChanges on May 21stChanges on May 22ndChanges on May 25thChanges on May 26thChanges on May 28thChanges on May 29thChanges on June 1stChanges on June 3rdChanges on June 4thChanges on June 6thzubenelgenubi
Next launch will be the SXM-8 mission on Sunday, June 6; the one-hour and 59-minute window opens at 12:26 a.m. EDT
The soon-to-be launched Maxar-built #SXM8 features our 1300-class platform, the leading spacecraft platform for communication #satellites. This high-power broadcasting satellite is more than twice as powerful as the 1st generation @SIRIUSXM constellation.
It's getting busy out there... the entire, active, East Coast SpaceX recovery fleet is offshore so it's time for a map!Droneship support ship GO Quest will have to sail direct from the CRS-22 LZ to the SXM-8 LZ in the next few days.
GO Searcher and GO Navigator departed from Port Canaveral last night for the SXM-8 mission.The Dragon recovery ships are back for another temporary fairing recovery assignment.
L-2 with no major changes. Still 60% GO on primary, 80% on backup day. Additional risks are low.
Quote from: Rondaz on 06/04/2021 04:29 pmQuote from: Jansen on 06/04/2021 01:06 pmL-2 with no major changes. Still 60% GO on primary, 80% on backup day. Additional risks are low.What is a Debris Cloud ?It's the exhaust clouds that were formed during the CRS-22 launch. They're just hanging in the air as of now.
Quote from: Jansen on 06/04/2021 01:06 pmL-2 with no major changes. Still 60% GO on primary, 80% on backup day. Additional risks are low.What is a Debris Cloud ?
...[T]he background convective cloudiness, might as well include some tops of midlevel cloud systems, isolated thick cirrus, or detached stratiform anvils of decaying convective clouds, and can be thought as the so-called convection debris that is often encountered during the winter monsoon over the Indian Ocean region...
Debris cloud means any cloud, except an anvil cloud, that has become detached from a parent cumulonimbus cloud or thunderstorm, or that results from the decay of a parent cumulonimbus cloud or thunderstorm.
Do not launch within 3 nautical miles of a thunderstorm debris cloud, unless specific time- associated distance criteria can be met.
#SpaceXFleet update:Mr. Jonah with OCISLY and B1067-1 are progressing towards a possible Saturday evening or early Sunday morning arrival. Finn Falgout (yay AIS tracker!) and JRTI are heading due east into the triangle to await tonight's booster, B1061-3. Launch NET 04:26 UTC
Falcon 9 and SXM-8 vertical ahead of tomorrow morning’s launch → spacex.com/launches
This booster previously launched astronauts to the @space_station for the Crew-1 and Crew-2 missions
SpaceX’s SXM-8 mission patch!
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 6 for Falcon 9’s launch of the SXM-8 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The one-hour and 59-minute launch window opens at 12:26 a.m. EDT, 4:26 UTC, and a backup launch opportunity is available on Monday, June 7 with the same one-hour and 59-minute launch window.Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously supported SpaceX’s Crew-1 and Crew-2 missions, which launched astronauts to the International Space Station. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
Remotes are set and Falcon 9 is poised on the pad at LC-40 awaiting the launch of #SXM8 for @SIRIUSXM. This will be the first non-Crew launch for B1061-3. Window opens at 00:26 EDT (04:26 UTC). Join us on stream later today!More about tonight's mission:https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/sxm8-launch/
Both fairing halves are brand new.
Inside the web page it does not appear in what time will be the fairing separation, at first I thought it was because the client does not want it, but we have seen the satellite before so maybe it is an error, there is also an error in the Homepage.According to the launch of SXM-7 where some times are the same, the fairing separation would be in T+03:37.
Is your @SIRIUSXM coming in clear? The next generation #SXM8 satellite has been deployed, and will continue to make its way to geostationary orbit before going into service. Overview by Trevor Sesnic (@124970MeV) and Lee Kanayama (@Falcon_1e): https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/sxm8-launch/
Falcon 9 punches a hole in the cloud layer, and then lights it up!Typically, clouds are a bummer when watching a launch, but the way those 9 Merlins lit up that thin cloud layer looked really cool, as they pushed @SIRIUSXM's #SXM8 satellite to orbit!https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/sxm8-launch/
another @spacex falcon 9 leaves the nest🚀 #sxm8tried a new technique for this one tonight!⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…
Liftoff!At 12:26am (ET) Sunday, #SpaceX launched the #SXM8 satellite atop a flight-proven #Falcon9 rocket. Minutes later, the booster was successfully recovered. This was the (cloudy) view from Palm Shores, 25-miles south of the pad. 📷:me/@WeReportSpace
2 objects as now2021-049A/4883819,379 km x 235 km, 26.49ş2021-049B/4883919,353 km x 188 km, 26.82ş
Falcon 9 launches SXM-8 to orbit – SpaceX’s 125th successful mission
Falcon's FuryNine Merlin engines pushing the @SIRIUSXM SXM-8 satellite into orbit from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NSF recap of the mission:https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/06/sxm8-launch/
There is not much to separate the telemetry for SXM-7 and SXM-8. The biggest difference I see is that the SXM-8 second stage flew with a bit more loft, but to the same injection parameters.
There is no sound insulation cotton on the fairing
Quote from: Starship_SpaceX on 06/06/2021 04:30 pmThere is no sound insulation cotton on the fairingDidn't pay attention to that detail. Good catch.
But why else do Starlink missions eliminate the acoustic tiles besides shave off dry mass?
Quote from: ZachS09 on 06/06/2021 08:32 pmBut why else do Starlink missions eliminate the acoustic tiles besides shave off dry mass?They're porous so probably absorb water after landing, requiring a lot of time to remove, clean, and replace with new insulation. Also more weight in the fairing (especially when waterlogged) increasing risk of damage when lifting/transporting.
Because you need more Falcons and Fleet in your day, no, really, you do, Finn Falgout and JRTI have left the LZ with B1061. It will be a few days before they arrive giving OCISLY more time to continue prepping for departure. #SpaceXFleet
[1 of 2] The Maxar-built SXM-8 geostationary satellite for @SIRIUSXM is performing as expected after a successful launch on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early this morning and will now commence with on orbit commissioning.
[2 of 2] Shortly after launch, SXM-8 deployed its solar arrays, confirmed communications with the ground stations and began firing its thrusters to start its journey to its final orbit.
GO Searcher and GO Navigator are due to arrive at Port Canaveral tomorrow morning around/after dawn, with the fairing halves from the SXM-8 mission.Expecting to see JRTI and B1061 early Wednesday. (Subject to change)
Just Read the Instructions and B1061 are just offshore and it looks like arrival is being timed for about 6am ET.OCISLY is still occupying the booster unloading dock so perhaps JRTI will be berthed elsewhere.
Welcome back to Port Canaveral 1061!Live views from Fleetcam:
Falcon 9 B1061 sailing into Port Canaveral, greeted by Falcon 9 B1067.➡️youtube.com/watch?v=gnt2wZ…
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1061-3 returns during a beautiful sunrise.#spacex #spacexfleet @SpaceXFleet
After launching NASA astronauts with missions Crew-1 and Crew-2, SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1061 returns after launching SXM-8.#spacex #booster #spacexfleet @SpaceXFleet
B1061 has arrived onboard Just Read the Instructions after its third mission in support of #SXM8. Two boosters are vertical at the docks this morning! B1067 is awaiting transport after leg retraction. #SpaceXFleet
B1061 before and after the #SXM8 launch.Launch, return, repeat.
Boosters 1061 & 1067 in Port this morning
Huh, why is it at Roberts Road?
Quote from: scr00chy on 06/14/2021 03:26 pmHuh, why is it at Roberts Road?Probably logical to assume they are now storing or refurbishing at Roberts Road.
Quote from: AC in NC on 06/14/2021 05:12 pmQuote from: scr00chy on 06/14/2021 03:26 pmHuh, why is it at Roberts Road?Probably logical to assume they are now storing or refurbishing at Roberts Road.Maybe they ran out of room on base.
