Author Topic: FAILURE: Firefly Alpha 1st flight - Vandenberg SLC-2W - 3 Sep 2021 (01:59 UTC) (Read 88211 times)

Fmedici · « **Reply #60 on:** 08/28/2021 08:42 pm »

Mission patch, via Everyday Astronaut

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #61 on:** 08/31/2021 03:05 pm »

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1432720991235551250

Quote

I checked with Firefly, whose first Alpha launch is scheduled for Thursday from Vandenberg, and they say they have no issues with consumables that would delay their launch.

Ken the Bin · « **Reply #62 on:** 08/31/2021 10:10 pm »

Here's something I've never seen before: an NGA notice with Rocket Launching and Space Debris in the same notice.

There are two launch times, both on Friday, September 3 UTC ... ~01:00 UTC and ~20:00 UTC.

Also note that this notice cancels NAVAREA XII 456/21. NAVAREA XII 456/21 was a generic Hazardous Operations notice. I did wonder if it was for this launch, but it was unclear enough that I didn't post it here.

Quote from: NGA

312138Z AUG 21
NAVAREA XII 461/21(18).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
030030Z TO 030547Z SEP,
ALTERNATE 031930Z TO 032247Z SEP
IN AREA BOUND BY
34-49N 120-37W, 34-33N 120-35W,
33-00N 123-53W, 33-04N 124-08W,
33-17N 124-02W, 34-56N 120-50W.
2. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
030030Z TO 030524Z SEP,
ALTERNATE 031930Z TO 032224Z SEP
IN AREA BOUND BY
31-11N 128-45W, 30-19N 128-04W,
28-48N 130-35W, 29-53N 131-27W.
3. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 456/21.
4. CANCEL THIS MSG 032347Z SEP 21.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #63 on:** 08/31/2021 10:14 pm »

Official live stream

Nerdymobile · « **Reply #64 on:** 09/01/2021 09:54 pm »

Does anyone have an idea where I may be able to actually see this from? Is Surf Beach typically closed for a SLC-2 launch?

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #65 on:** 09/01/2021 11:35 pm »

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1433211725784834049

Quote

Weather is 100% go for Thursday's Firefly Alpha launch attempt.

Jrcraft · « **Reply #66 on:** 09/02/2021 03:03 am »

Ok, it's that time again, guess the rideshare payload!
In all seriousness, I wanted to confirm the launch manifest. I'll be pulling info from two locations:

Wikipedia's List of spaceflight launches in July–December 2021 article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spaceflight_launches_in_July%E2%80%93December_2021

The Everyday Astronaut "FLTA001 DREAM | Alpha" page. https://everydayastronaut.com/flta001-dream-alpha/

The lists differ, likely because certain payloads got other rides, weren't ready, etc.

The Wikipedia payload list:

_{BSS-1
CRESST DREAM COMET
Firefly Capsule 1 (hosted on second stage)
PICOBUS-1 (deploying:)
GENESIS N
GENESIS L
QUBIK 1
QUBIK 2
FOSSASAT 1b
FOSSASAT 2
Hiapo
Magneto
NPS-CENETIX-Orbital 1
Spinnaker3 (hosted on second stage)
TIS Serenity

Firefly's OTV third stage}

On Everyday Astronauts page, he has:

_{Non-technical payloads (Firefly Capsule 1) (hosted on second stage)
PICOBUS-1 (deploying:)
GENESIS N
GENESIS L
QUBIK 1
QUBIK 2
FOSSASAT 1b
FOSSASAT 2
Hiapo
TIS Serenity
BSS-1

Spinnaker3 (hosted on second stage)}

As we can see, these don't match up with "CRESST DREAM COMET" "Magneto" "NPS-CENETIX-Orbital 1" being missing and the SUV third stage not mentioned. So, like the Transporter threads, we should figure out what's actually flying. My gut says go with Everyday Astronaut's list unless we find out otherwise regarding the "missing" payloads.

I did want to touch on the SUV, in this https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/762935.html article, dated 8/20/21, claims that

Quote

The Ukrainian company Space Electric Thruster Systems (SETS) will provide its SPS-25 propulsion system for the debut launch of the Alpha rocket, a rocket and space technology developer Firefly Aerospace Inc.

Which would be the engine(s) used on the OTV. How credible this report is remains to be seen, however.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #67 on:** 09/02/2021 07:15 am »

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1433269835828326404

Quote

Firefly Alpha looking 👌

novak · « **Reply #68 on:** 09/02/2021 06:21 pm »

Quote from: Nerdymobile on 09/01/2021 09:54 pm

Does anyone have an idea where I may be able to actually see this from? Is Surf Beach typically closed for a SLC-2 launch?

I believe it generally closes at 6pm regardless.

hartspace · « **Reply #69 on:** 09/02/2021 10:16 pm »

Quote from: novak on 09/02/2021 06:21 pm

Quote from: Nerdymobile on 09/01/2021 09:54 pm
Does anyone have an idea where I may be able to actually see this from? Is Surf Beach typically closed for a SLC-2 launch?

I believe it generally closes at 6pm regardless.

If it is open, the best bet is Hawk's Nest, which is just south of the Vandenberg Main Gate off of CA Hwy 1.

Llian Rhydderch · « **Reply #70 on:** 09/03/2021 12:00 am »

Everyday Astronaut's webcast of Firefly Alpha-FLT001 has started.

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #71 on:** 09/03/2021 12:10 am »

Tim is live. Still counting to top of window, in 50 minutes.

45 minutes. Weather still 100% GO!

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #72 on:** 09/03/2021 12:19 am »

T-40 Minutes. MC has confirmed pointy end up, flamey end down!

Jrcraft · « **Reply #73 on:** 09/03/2021 12:21 am »

Quote from: Jrcraft on 09/02/2021 03:03 am

I did want to touch on the OTV, in this https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/762935.html article, dated 8/20/21, claims that
Quote
The Ukrainian company Space Electric Thruster Systems (SETS) will provide its SPS-25 propulsion system for the debut launch of the Alpha rocket, a rocket and space technology developer Firefly Aerospace Inc.
Which would be the engine(s) used on the OTV. How credible this report is remains to be seen, however.

Everyday Astronauts website has been updating regarding this. It states:

Quote

On board of this first flight of Alpha is a test article for Firefly’s upcoming Space Utility Vehicle (SUV). The ST-25 Hall-Effect Thruster from Space Electric Thrusters Systems is an ion thruster. The ST-25 differs from other thrusters of that type as it utilizes a permanent magnet instead of more commonly used electromagnet. This results in a lower power consumption, which increases overall efficiency.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #74 on:** 09/03/2021 12:34 am »

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1433588721173991426

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As we wait for Firefly’s launch this evening, here’s a look inside their Launch Control Center (LCC). Though these were shot yesterday, this should be the same layout controllers are looking at right now. @NASASpaceflight

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #75 on:** 09/03/2021 12:35 am »

25 minutes. Preview of cam angles. Trench and gimbal cam!

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #76 on:** 09/03/2021 12:42 am »

T-18 minutes. Teams have polled GO for launch!

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #77 on:** 09/03/2021 12:51 am »

Under 9 minutes to launch. Everything still go!

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #78 on:** 09/03/2021 12:54 am »

5 and a half minutes to launch. Strongback retract has begun!

Strongback is in flight position.

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #79 on:** 09/03/2021 12:57 am »

3 minutes. FTS is armed for flight.