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SpaceX F9 : Iridium F9 / OneWeb F19 : VSFB SLC-4E : 20 May 2023 (13:16 UTC)
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 08 Sep, 2022 12:25
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Discussion Thread for Iridium 9 / OneWeb rideshare mission.
NSF Threads for Iridium/OneWeb rideshare :
DiscussionOneWeb Constellation DiscussionSee the
Iridium NEXT Flight 1 Discussion Thread for more information and links to other Iridium Next threads and articles.
16 OneWeb satellites (including JoeySat test satellite), 5 Iridium satellites.
Successful launch May 20, 2023 at 6:16am PDT (13:16 UTC). Successful landing on OCISLY.
https://investor.iridium.com/2022-09-08-Iridium-Announces-Ninth-SpaceX-LaunchIridium Announces Ninth SpaceX Launch
MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) today announced that it has reached an agreement with SpaceX to launch up to five of the company's remaining ground spare satellites from the Iridium® NEXT program, on its Falcon 9 rocket. Known as Iridium-9, the launch is planned to take place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in mid-2023. Earlier this year, Iridium celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first launch in Iridium's history, which also took place from Vandenberg on May 5, 1997. That first ever launch also carried five Iridium satellites to orbit on a Delta II rocket.
Iridium-9 will be Iridium's second rideshare with SpaceX. Previously, SpaceX conducted eight Iridium launches between January 2017 and January 2019. These launches delivered 75 satellites to LEO as part of the Iridium NEXT campaign, replacing the company's original satellite constellation. Since completion of the launch campaign in 2019, Iridium has 66 operational satellites, nine on-orbit spares and six additional spares on the ground. Up to five of those six ground spares are planned for launch as part of Iridium-9. All satellites in the upgraded Iridium constellation were built by Thales Alenia Space and carry the Aireon® hosted payload, which provides truly global, real-time surveillance of aircraft around the world.
"We have always said that when the right opportunity presented itself, we would launch many, if not all, of our remaining ground spares, and just such an opportunity came about," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "Our constellation is incredibly healthy; however, the spare satellites have no utility to us on the ground. We built extra satellites as an insurance policy, and with SpaceX's stellar track record, we look forward to another successful launch, which will position us even better to replicate the longevity of our first constellation."
Since the completion of the upgraded Iridium network in early 2019, Iridium's customer base grew by more than 730,000 subscribers in just three years and has more than 1.8 million today. With that subscriber growth came several new Iridium products and services, including the Iridium Certus® specialty broadband platform, Iridium's Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Iridium Global Line of Sight® service for uncrewed and autonomous systems, and over 150 new Iridium narrowband and specialty broadband products brought to market by our partner ecosystem.
Iridium remains the only commercial satellite constellation with truly global coverage, offering weather-resilient L-band service from pole-to-pole. The constellation is divided into six polar orbiting planes that each include 11 operational crosslinked satellites. The satellites from Iridium-9 will be launched into a parking orbit, and after initial testing will be drifted to their assigned spare orbits.
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
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#1
by
scr00chy
on 08 Sep, 2022 13:30
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I wonder who the co-passenger is. Starlink? Some yet-to-be-announced payload from another customer?
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#2
by
ZachS09
on 08 Sep, 2022 13:42
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I wonder who the co-passenger is. Starlink? Some yet-to-be-announced payload from another customer?
I don't think it'll be Starlink. Can't say why, though.
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#3
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 10 Sep, 2022 06:28
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#4
by
GWR64
on 11 Sep, 2022 09:07
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I don't think it'll be Starlink. Can't say why, though.
The Iridium satellites are in orbits inclined at 86.4°, compared to 53.0°, 53.2°, 70° and 97.6° for Starlink. The smallest inclination change from 86.4° to 97.6° (or alpha = 11.2°) would have a delta-V penalty of 2*vo*sin(alpha/2) = 2*7.8*sin(11.2/2) = 1.5 km/s! I think that's reason enough why these satellites won't fly with Starlink.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink
certainly not Starlink
But would be the launch of a satellite with a mass <2500 kg in a low SSO possible?
---
SpaceNews article:
https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-launch-five-spare-iridium-satellites/...In its second quarter earnings release July 26, Iridium announced it signed a contract for the launch of five satellites for $35 million but did not disclose the launch provider. ...
(SpaceX)
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#5
by
GWR64
on 11 Sep, 2022 18:30
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#6
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 13 Sep, 2022 07:01
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OneWeb satellites are actually in 87.9° 1200 km orbits, compared to Iridium at 86.4° 780 km. That requires a delta-V change of only 285 m/s.
https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/onewebDelta-V calculator by Steven S. Pietrobon. 22 Jun 2019.
Enter negative perigee height to exit program.
Enter negative height for geosynchronous altitude.
Enter initial perigee height (km): 780
Enter initial apogee height (km): 780
Enter required inclination change (deg): 1.5
Enter required perigee height (km): 1200
Enter required apogee height (km): 1200
Burn at 780.0 km: theta1 = 0.00 deg, dv1 = 105.6 m/s
Burn at 1200.0 km: theta2 = 1.50 deg, dv2 = 215.3 m/s
dv = 320.9 m/s
Burn at 780.0 km: theta1 = 0.71 deg, dv1 = 140.8 m/s
Burn at 1200.0 km: theta2 = 0.79 deg, dv2 = 143.8 m/s
dv = 284.6 m/s
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#7
by
GWR64
on 24 Sep, 2022 19:04
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#8
by
Josh_from_Canada
on 08 Dec, 2022 21:02
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In an interview between OneWeb and Spaceflight Now, it was stated that OneWeb has a rideshare launch with Iridium
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#9
by
vaporcobra
on 09 Dec, 2022 00:37
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In an interview between OneWeb and Spaceflight Now, it was stated that OneWeb has a rideshare launch with Iridium
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m0eqVKSamZo
Looks like the remaining 32 OneWeb sats and 5 Iridium NEXT spares would narrowly fit in a standard Falcon fairing. Roughly a 10-ton payload, mass is no issue.
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#10
by
Bean Kenobi
on 09 Dec, 2022 13:18
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In an interview between OneWeb and Spaceflight Now, it was stated that OneWeb has a rideshare launch with Iridium
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m0eqVKSamZo
Looks like the remaining 32 OneWeb sats and 5 Iridium NEXT spares would narrowly fit in a standard Falcon fairing. Roughly a 10-ton payload, mass is no issue.
Only 28 satellites are missing to complete Gen 1.
OneWeb has launched 464 satellites of a planned first-generation constellation of 648 spacecraft using 13 Russian Soyuz rockets purchased through Arianespace, the French launch services provider, and one flight on an Indian GLSV Mk.3 rocket.
Source :
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/12/07/oneweb-readies-for-15th-launch-and-first-with-spacex/648 Gen 1 satellites
- 464 (Oneweb 1 > 14, Soyuz and 1st LVM 3, see quote)
- 40 (Oneweb 15, Falcon 9 Dec 8th, 2022)
- 40 (next Falcon 9)
- 36 (next LVM 3)
- 40 (next+1 Falcon 9)
= 28 Gen 1 satellites remaining for Iridium rideshare
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#11
by
Rondaz
on 09 Dec, 2022 14:28
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OneWeb has not only booked three dedicated Falcon 9 missions, but has now added another flight to the multi-launch deal -- a rideshare mission with Iridium satellites set to fly next year.
These four launches, plus one more launch on India's GSLV, will complete the Gen1 network.
https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1600964416228544520
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#12
by
Zed_Noir
on 09 Dec, 2022 14:33
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In an interview between OneWeb and Spaceflight Now, it was stated that OneWeb has a rideshare launch with Iridium
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m0eqVKSamZo
Looks like the remaining 32 OneWeb sats and 5 Iridium NEXT spares would narrowly fit in a standard Falcon fairing. Roughly a 10-ton payload, mass is no issue.
Only 28 satellites are missing to complete Gen 1.
OneWeb has launched 464 satellites of a planned first-generation constellation of 648 spacecraft using 13 Russian Soyuz rockets purchased through Arianespace, the French launch services provider, and one flight on an Indian GLSV Mk.3 rocket.
Source : https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/12/07/oneweb-readies-for-15th-launch-and-first-with-spacex/
648 Gen 1 satellites
- 464 (Oneweb 1 > 14, Soyuz and 1st LVM 3, see quote)
- 40 (Oneweb 15, Falcon 9 Dec 8th, 2022)
- 40 (next Falcon 9)
- 36 (next LVM 3)
- 40 (next+1 Falcon 9)
= 28 Gen 1 satellites remaining for Iridium rideshare
Maybe OneWeb might loft 4 to 6 additional Gen1 comsat as orbital spares on the rideshare mission. Instead of needing additional launches to send up ground spares or clean room storage for the spares.
Think SpaceX can put 2 more comsats on top of their OneWeb dispenser with an adapter plate.
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#13
by
wannamoonbase
on 09 Dec, 2022 14:37
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Maybe OneWeb might loft 4 to 6 additional Gen1 comsat as orbital spares on the rideshare mission. Instead of needing additional launches to send up ground spares or clean room storage for the spares.
Think SpaceX can put 2 more comsats on top of their OneWeb dispenser with an adapter plate.
I don't know about that, but I bet they could fit some onto a Polar Orbit Transporter mission.
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#14
by
GewoonLukas_
on 09 Dec, 2022 16:15
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Maybe OneWeb might loft 4 to 6 additional Gen1 comsat as orbital spares on the rideshare mission. Instead of needing additional launches to send up ground spares or clean room storage for the spares.
Think SpaceX can put 2 more comsats on top of their OneWeb dispenser with an adapter plate.
I don't know about that, but I bet they could fit some onto a Polar Orbit Transporter mission.
Unfortunatly a Transporter mission isn't an option for OneWeb. Transporter missions go to Sun Synchronous Orbit, which have an inclination of ~97.4°. OneWeb satellites operate in 87.9° inclination orbits. It would cost way too much fuel to get the satellites from 97.4° to 87.9°, which would result in a significantly reduced lifespan.
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#15
by
vaporcobra
on 09 Dec, 2022 20:31
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In an interview between OneWeb and Spaceflight Now, it was stated that OneWeb has a rideshare launch with Iridium
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m0eqVKSamZo
Looks like the remaining 32 OneWeb sats and 5 Iridium NEXT spares would narrowly fit in a standard Falcon fairing. Roughly a 10-ton payload, mass is no issue.
Only 28 satellites are missing to complete Gen 1.
OneWeb has launched 464 satellites of a planned first-generation constellation of 648 spacecraft using 13 Russian Soyuz rockets purchased through Arianespace, the French launch services provider, and one flight on an Indian GLSV Mk.3 rocket.
Source : https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/12/07/oneweb-readies-for-15th-launch-and-first-with-spacex/
648 Gen 1 satellites
- 464 (Oneweb 1 > 14, Soyuz and 1st LVM 3, see quote)
- 40 (Oneweb 15, Falcon 9 Dec 8th, 2022)
- 40 (next Falcon 9)
- 36 (next LVM 3)
- 40 (next+1 Falcon 9)
= 28 Gen 1 satellites remaining for Iridium rideshare
Of which two were deorbited, one failed in orbit, and one may be in the process of dying in orbit. I'm assuming that OneWeb will try to ensure it has a full 648 working satellites in orbit after its last build-out launch.
I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that FCC deployment milestones require ALL licensed satellites to be simultaneously working at their operational orbits to count. OneWeb obviously has years to finish its constellation, but still better to assume that it will try to end launches with a full 648 working satellites in orbit.
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#16
by
GewoonLukas_
on 12 Mar, 2023 13:25
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Launch is scheduled for Early-May and will include 15 Gen1 OneWeb satellites, as well as 1 Gen2 prototype
The next GSLV will be the last one needed to reach global coverage (36 sats) then we will launch 16 sats early May (15 are Gen1 and 1 is an early demo for Gen2) and we will be left with 20 ground spares to be launched at a later stage .
https://twitter.com/M_Ladovaz/status/1634693353936748546
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#17
by
GewoonLukas_
on 03 Apr, 2023 20:51
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#18
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 05 Apr, 2023 09:25
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#19
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 05 Apr, 2023 23:10
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#20
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 11 Apr, 2023 20:08
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twitter.com/oneweb/status/1645814241054670852
Road trip! 🚛🇺🇸
Last week, 16 satellites travelled from the @OneWebSatellit1 factory in Florida over to Vandenberg, California, ahead of #OneWebLaunch19 with @SpaceX – expected no earlier than next month.
A huge shout-out to our colleagues and the drivers who made the trip!
https://twitter.com/oneweb/status/1645814243508330496We can currently provide global satellite coverage with the 618 craft already in orbit, but these extra satellites are set to be added to the constellation to provide extra resilience to our high-speed, low-latency network 🛰️
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#21
by
zubenelgenubi
on 19 Apr, 2023 22:49
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Given the total mass of the 21 satellites, will this launch use an OCISLY landing?
Launch is scheduled for Early-May and will include 15 Gen1 OneWeb satellites, as well as 1 Gen2 prototype.
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#22
by
GewoonLukas_
on 20 Apr, 2023 16:40
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Given the total mass of the 21 satellites, will this launch use an OCISLY landing?
Launch is scheduled for Early-May and will include 15 Gen1 OneWeb satellites, as well as 1 Gen2 prototype.
Launch mass will be 6.660kg = (147,5kg * 16) + (860kg * 5), so should be able to RTLS, which SpaceflightNow is also listing:
The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will return to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
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#23
by
zubenelgenubi
on 20 Apr, 2023 18:57
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#24
by
zubenelgenubi
on 24 Apr, 2023 03:53
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Which first stage will be used for this launch?
Available first stages, with date of most recent recovery:
1071.9 Mar 17
1075.3 Apr 2 Starlink 2-9
1063.11 Apr 15
Edit May 15: It's B1063.11.
Edited
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#25
by
zubenelgenubi
on 24 Apr, 2023 15:25
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NextSpaceflight, updated April 24:
First stage landing aboard
OCISLY.
Leading from this, perhaps the second stage will use a short nozzle Merlin Vac?
0707-EX-ST-2023 SpaceX Mission 1795 from SLC-4E
NET early May [NET May 3]
ASDS North 28 45 10 West 120 15 14
0707 "uses information from" 0177
lines up well with Iridium 9 + OneWeb #19
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#26
by
GewoonLukas_
on 30 Apr, 2023 10:45
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#27
by
zubenelgenubi
on 07 May, 2023 01:12
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Any news regarding delivery of the Iridium quintet for launch processing?
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#28
by
michaelmalinsky
on 10 May, 2023 21:31
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The last official launch of 15 Generation 1 Constellation satellites, plus one advanced broadband satellite (Gen2 prototype) that will provide high-speed internet connectivity from low Earth orbit, will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 later this month along with a payload from Iridium.
The beam-hopping satellite – nicknamed JoeySat after a baby kangaroo – will demonstrate connectivity for people traveling by air, sea or on land, and preparing for low latency 5G connectivity from space.
Led by OneWeb, the industrial partners have received over £32 million (€37m) from the UK Space Agency, via the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sunrise Programme, for a demonstration satellite.
The satellite’s pilot beam-hopping payload was developed by SatixFy, based in Farnborough. The user terminal to support this satellite is also being developed by SatixFy, who have been awarded over £25 million.
The fully digital beam-hopping and beam-steering payload can switch the satellite capacity between different areas on Earth up to 1000 times per second. The signal strength can also be adjusted to meet demand.
This will enable JoeySat to respond to real-time surges in commercial high-quality and low latency connectivity demands — or during emergencies such as natural disasters, with rapid deployment of 5G Mini Hubs connected to the OneWeb communication network.
Developed under the Sunrise Partnership Project between ESA OneWeb, JoeySat will demonstrate key technologies for OneWeb’s next generation constellation, as part of the ESA Sunrise project with support from the UK Space Agency.
The advanced digital regenerative payload was built by SatixFy in the UK and the payload environmental tests were completed in the UK.
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#29
by
michaelmalinsky
on 10 May, 2023 21:36
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#30
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 11 May, 2023 07:26
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#31
by
GewoonLukas_
on 11 May, 2023 10:43
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Project Sunrise Patch
That is the patch for ELSA-M, which is a debris removal satellite launching at the end of 2024. This is also in cooperation with OneWeb, but I believe is a different satellite to JoeySat which is testing communications technologies.
ELSA-M is a different satellite then JoeySat, but JoeySat is part of the Sunrise Project and it is also the "Gen 2 Prototype"
Developed under the Sunrise Partnership Project between ESA and telecommunications operator OneWeb, JoeySat will demonstrate key technologies for OneWeb’s next generation constellation, as part of the ESA Sunrise project with support from the UK Space Agency.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Beam-hopping_JoeySat_ready_for_launch
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#32
by
zubenelgenubi
on 11 May, 2023 23:58
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#33
by
Salo
on 12 May, 2023 08:55
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https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ May 19 Falcon 9 • OneWeb & Iridium Next
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 15 spare satellites for OneWeb’s first-generation global internet network and one prototype for OneWeb’s Gen2 second-generation network. Five spare satellites for Iridium’s voice and data relay fleet will also launch on this mission. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will return to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg.
Updated: May 11
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#34
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 May, 2023 12:17
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https://twitter.com/oneweb/status/1656996129421107202 Introducing OneWeb’s mission patch for Launch #19 with @SpaceX. This launch will add another 15 satellites to our low Earth orbit fleet, plus a demonstration satellite called ‘JoeySat’.
Make sure to follow us for further updates ahead of launch.
#OneWebLaunch19 🚀
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#35
by
VLN
on 13 May, 2023 08:08
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NGA warning:
130104Z MAY 23
NAVAREA XII 283/23(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 1218Z TO 1411Z
DAILY 19 THRU 24 MAY IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 34-41.00N 120-41.00W, 34-40.00N 120-26.00W,
32-40.00N 120-24.00W, 32-40.00N 120-31.00W,
34-09.00N 120-41.00W.
B. 29-18.00N 120-31.00W, 29-17.00N 119-56.00W,
27-26.00N 119-56.00W, 27-28.00N 120-31.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 241511Z MAY 23.
This is not quite as finely drawn as usual SpaceX zones (not as many line segments), but the dimensions are quite comparable to Starlink 2-9 that just launched. I think this is SpaceX and thus perhaps a match to NSF's next launch slot "Iridium-9 & OneWeb #19".
May 19-24, 5:18 - 7:11am PDT
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#36
by
zubenelgenubi
on 15 May, 2023 16:31
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#37
by
GewoonLukas_
on 15 May, 2023 19:02
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#38
by
ZachS09
on 16 May, 2023 04:03
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#39
by
spacenuance
on 16 May, 2023 13:03
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#40
by
VLN
on 16 May, 2023 14:00
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https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jspSPACE X IRIDIUM ONE WEB, VANDENBERG SFB, CA
| PRIMARY: | 05/19/23 | . | 1304Z-1412Z |
| BACKUP: | 05/20/23 | . | 1300Z-1407Z |
| . | 05/21/23 | . | 1256Z-1403Z |
| . | 05/22/23 | . | 1251Z-1359Z |
| . | 05/23/23 | . | 1247Z-1354Z |
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#41
by
realnouns
on 16 May, 2023 15:53
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Scorpius + OCISLY depart PoLB on May 15 @ 6:32pm PT (9:32pm ET)
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#42
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 16 May, 2023 18:33
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#43
by
zubenelgenubi
on 17 May, 2023 08:36
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#44
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 17 May, 2023 20:23
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#45
by
GewoonLukas_
on 18 May, 2023 18:29
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 19 at 6:19 a.m. PT (13:19 UTC) for launch of the Iridium OneWeb mission to a low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, May 20 at 6:15 a.m. PT (13:15 UTC).
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, and seven Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=iridium-onewebSpaceX Mission Patch:
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#46
by
soltasto
on 18 May, 2023 18:34
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"Press kit" capture with OCR
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#47
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 18 May, 2023 20:28
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#48
by
GewoonLukas_
on 18 May, 2023 20:31
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Falcon 9 doubleheader coming up for SpaceX!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/05/starlink-iridium-oneweb/ - by Justin Davenport (@Bubbinski)
Starlink Group 6-3, is scheduled to fly on Friday, May 19 at 12:41 AM EDT (04:41 UTC) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. An on-time launch would be just under five days after the last flight from the same pad, a new record.
Eight hours later, another Falcon 9 is set to launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg, carrying five Iridium NEXT and 16 OneWeb satellites on board.
Short nozzle will fly again on this mission:
The Iridium/OneWeb launch will be the second flight for the new, shortened second-stage engine nozzle. The shorter nozzle, designed to reduce costs and increase launch cadence, made its debut on the Transporter-7 launch in April. The shortened nozzle slightly reduces performance, so it will only be used on missions that do not need Falcon 9’s full performance capability.
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#49
by
GWR64
on 18 May, 2023 21:00
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Falcon 9 doubleheader coming up for SpaceX!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/05/starlink-iridium-oneweb/ - by Justin Davenport (@Bubbinski)
Starlink Group 6-3, is scheduled to fly on Friday, May 19 at 12:41 AM EDT (04:41 UTC) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. An on-time launch would be just under five days after the last flight from the same pad, a new record.
Eight hours later, another Falcon 9 is set to launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg, carrying five Iridium NEXT and 16 OneWeb satellites on board.
Short nozzle will fly again on this mission:
The Iridium/OneWeb launch will be the second flight for the new, shortened second-stage engine nozzle. The shorter nozzle, designed to reduce costs and increase launch cadence, made its debut on the Transporter-7 launch in April. The shortened nozzle slightly reduces performance, so it will only be used on missions that do not need Falcon 9’s full performance capability.
When specifying the payload, the dispenser mass is missing.
Assuming it weighs max. 1000 kg, I get 7660 kg.
But even then it should be possible to return to the launch site.
Interesting, the saving on the upper stage nozzle appears to be more significant for SpaceX, than the saving from not using the ASDS.
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#50
by
scr00chy
on 18 May, 2023 21:16
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Falcon 9 doubleheader coming up for SpaceX!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/05/starlink-iridium-oneweb/ - by Justin Davenport (@Bubbinski)
Starlink Group 6-3, is scheduled to fly on Friday, May 19 at 12:41 AM EDT (04:41 UTC) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. An on-time launch would be just under five days after the last flight from the same pad, a new record.
Eight hours later, another Falcon 9 is set to launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg, carrying five Iridium NEXT and 16 OneWeb satellites on board.
Short nozzle will fly again on this mission:
The Iridium/OneWeb launch will be the second flight for the new, shortened second-stage engine nozzle. The shorter nozzle, designed to reduce costs and increase launch cadence, made its debut on the Transporter-7 launch in April. The shortened nozzle slightly reduces performance, so it will only be used on missions that do not need Falcon 9’s full performance capability.
When specifying the payload, the dispenser mass is missing.
Assuming it weighs max. 1000 kg, I get 7660 kg.
But even then it should be possible to return to the launch site.
Interesting, the saving on the upper stage nozzle appears to be more significant for SpaceX, than the saving from not using the ASDS.
I don't really understand how a smaller nozzle saves so much money that the whole thing is even worth the hassle of developing and testing it. Can someone enlighten me please?
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#51
by
GWR64
on 18 May, 2023 21:29
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Falcon 9 doubleheader coming up for SpaceX!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/05/starlink-iridium-oneweb/ - by Justin Davenport (@Bubbinski)
Starlink Group 6-3, is scheduled to fly on Friday, May 19 at 12:41 AM EDT (04:41 UTC) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. An on-time launch would be just under five days after the last flight from the same pad, a new record.
Eight hours later, another Falcon 9 is set to launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg, carrying five Iridium NEXT and 16 OneWeb satellites on board.
Short nozzle will fly again on this mission:
The Iridium/OneWeb launch will be the second flight for the new, shortened second-stage engine nozzle. The shorter nozzle, designed to reduce costs and increase launch cadence, made its debut on the Transporter-7 launch in April. The shortened nozzle slightly reduces performance, so it will only be used on missions that do not need Falcon 9’s full performance capability.
When specifying the payload, the dispenser mass is missing.
Assuming it weighs max. 1000 kg, I get 7660 kg.
But even then it should be possible to return to the launch site.
Interesting, the saving on the upper stage nozzle appears to be more significant for SpaceX, than the saving from not using the ASDS.
I don't really understand how a smaller nozzle saves so much money that the whole thing is even worth the hassle of developing and testing it. Can someone enlighten me please?
Maybe it's not about the money, but about the availability the alloy for the nozzle.
discussion there
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41014.msg2475818#msg2475818The world Hafnium market is tiny and cannot easily be expanded because it is tied to the Zirconium market.
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#52
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 18 May, 2023 21:58
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https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1659316143943987205Yes hello I’d like a double order of Falcons, Crew Dragon and Starlink, with a double side of H A Z E please
SLC-40: Starlink Group 6-3 - tonight at 12:41am EDT
LC-39A: Axiom-2 - Sunday at 5:37pm EDT
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
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#53
by
gongora
on 18 May, 2023 22:49
-
SAT-STA-20230516-00110The rocket that launches the spares will dispense the satellites at 615 km. Iridium will then move the satellites to 625 km to perform on-orbit checkout. Once checkout is completed, Iridium will drift four satellites down plane at 625 km, stopping two satellites under plane 4, one satellite under plane 3, and one satellite under plane 2. The fifth satellite is going up a plane, with an expected final altitude of 760 km.
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#54
by
Ken the Bin
on 19 May, 2023 01:06
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NGA Space Debris notice.
182359Z MAY 23
HYDROPAC 1660/23(61).
SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 02.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
1456Z TO 1606Z DAILY 19 THRU 25 MAY
IN AREA BOUND BY
39-43.00S 025-24.00E, 39-38.00S 022-50.00E,
57-07.00S 021-04.00E, 57-13.00S 024-42.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 251706Z MAY 23.
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#55
by
matthewkantar
on 19 May, 2023 01:39
-
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#56
by
mandrewa
on 19 May, 2023 04:04
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Maybe it's not about the money, but about the availability the alloy for the nozzle.
discussion there https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41014.msg2475818#msg2475818
The world Hafnium market is tiny and cannot easily be expanded because it is tied to the Zirconium market.
Isn’t the nozzle material niobium?
The Merlin engine's vacuum nozzle is an alloy. Ten percent of the nozzle is hafnium. Most of it is niobium.
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#57
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 06:06
-
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#58
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 10:21
-
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#59
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 12:24
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#60
by
Ken the Bin
on 19 May, 2023 12:33
-
Mission Control Audio (video id Fz0FZFACIgU):
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#61
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 12:52
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Propellant loading has started
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#62
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:00
-
Stage 2 RP-1 Load Complete
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#63
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:02
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Spacecraft are on internal power
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#64
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:03
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Stage 2 LOX load has started
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#65
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:05
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SpaceX webcast is live (it's foggy)
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#66
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:06
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Likely no live views of first (Iridium) deployment sequence. Also no ground station coverage during the last part of the second (OneWeb) deployment sequence.
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#67
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:09
-
Of Course I Still Love You ready to catch B1063-11
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#68
by
Elthiryel
on 19 May, 2023 13:10
-
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#69
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 13:11
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#70
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 13:12
-
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#71
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:13
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T-7 minutes, stage 1 engine chill has started
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#72
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:15
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#73
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:15
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Tanks are pressing for strongback retract
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#74
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:16
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#75
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 13:17
-
Timeline for the mission
All Times Approximate
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT
00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:33 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:36 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:44 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:13 Fairing deployment
00:06:45 1st stage entry burn begins
00:07:09 1st stage entry burn completes
00:08:29 1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:41 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:08:52 1st stage landing
00:55:09 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:55:13 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:59:17 Deployment of first Iridium satellite
01:01:28 Deployment of second Iridium satellite
01:02:02 Deployment of third Iridium satellite
01:02:49 Deployment of fourth Iridium satellite
01:04:30 Deployment of fifth Iridium satellite
01:05:32 Deployment of first and second OneWeb satellites
01:06:25 Deployment of third and fourth OneWeb satellites
01:06:51 Deployment of fifth and sixth OneWeb satellites
01:21:47 Deployment of seventh and eighth OneWeb satellites
01:23:38 Deployment of OneWeb’s JoeySat and ninth OneWeb satellite
01:24:45 Deployment of 10th and 11th OneWeb satellites
01:25:47 Deployment of 12th and 13th OneWeb satellites
01:26:26 Deployment of 14th and 15th OneWeb satellites
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#76
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:17
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Stage 1 LOX load is complete
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#77
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:18
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Stage 2 LOX load is complete
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#78
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:19
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T-1 minute, Falcon 9 is in start-up
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#79
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:19
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#80
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:20
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"Currently evaluating, core is healthy"
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#81
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 13:21
-
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#82
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:21
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Clock has recycled to T-15 minutes (Standard procedure)
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#83
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:24
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Scrubbing for the day, vehicle and payload are healthy.
Back-up opportunity tomorrow at 6:15 a.m. PT (13:15 UTC)
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#84
by
GewoonLukas_
on 19 May, 2023 13:30
-
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#85
by
zubenelgenubi
on 19 May, 2023 13:43
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Scrubbing for the day, vehicle and payload are healthy.
Back-up opportunity tomorrow at 6:15 a.m. PT (13:15 UTC)
SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 19 at 6:19 a.m. PT (13:19 UTC) for launch of the Iridium OneWeb mission to a low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, May 20 at 6:15 a.m. PT (13:15 UTC).
<snip>
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#86
by
litton4
on 19 May, 2023 16:23
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We're seeing quite a few last minute aborts with SpaceX lately.
Any info on why?
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#87
by
mn
on 19 May, 2023 16:40
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Logical guess as to what the cause of the abort was:
Maybe a certain parameter exceeded the redline limit right at startup. Not sure if the computers going into startup inadvertently triggered something.
If I read your post and didn't know any better I would think F9 going to startup was something new.
It does this literally on EVERY LAUNCH, to say this caused the abort is ...
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#88
by
litton4
on 19 May, 2023 16:41
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We're seeing quite a few last minute aborts with SpaceX lately.
Any info on why?
No official info, but my post above states my opinion of the cause of a last-minute abort.
I was wondering more in general - there have been 3? last minute aborts lately.
I don't see any correlation with booster age, for example, as starlink boosters tend to be older, iirc, and they've been fine?
Maybe they tighten the operational parameters for customer flights....
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#89
by
ZachS09
on 19 May, 2023 16:49
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Logical guess as to what the cause of the abort was:
Maybe a certain parameter exceeded the redline limit right at startup. Not sure if the computers going into startup inadvertently triggered something.
If I read your post and didn't know any better I would think F9 going to startup was something new.
It does this literally on EVERY LAUNCH, to say this caused the abort is ...
It was just a blind guess ‘cause I really have no idea.
I deleted the post as it was pointless all along. So sorry.
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#90
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 20:23
-
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#91
by
John Santos
on 19 May, 2023 20:53
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Logical guess as to what the cause of the abort was:
Maybe a certain parameter exceeded the redline limit right at startup. Not sure if the computers going into startup inadvertently triggered something.
If I read your post and didn't know any better I would think F9 going to startup was something new.
It does this literally on EVERY LAUNCH, to say this caused the abort is ...
It was just a blind guess ‘cause I really have no idea.
I deleted the post as it was pointless all along. So sorry.
Unless SpaceX or one of their customers decides to tell us, we will probably never know. If it someday becomes relevant to an accident or other investigation and becomes public information, or Elon casually mentions it in a random Tweet, or someone with inside access to SpaceX writes a definitive history of the Falcon rocket family, it will be announced. Otherwise it will be ignored by everyone except a few obsessive rocket fans. Is that a good thing? Probably not. But it is most likely all the information we will ever get.
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#92
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 May, 2023 21:06
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Tomorrow’s webcast
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#93
by
mn
on 19 May, 2023 21:17
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Logical guess as to what the cause of the abort was:
Maybe a certain parameter exceeded the redline limit right at startup. Not sure if the computers going into startup inadvertently triggered something.
If I read your post and didn't know any better I would think F9 going to startup was something new.
It does this literally on EVERY LAUNCH, to say this caused the abort is ...
It was just a blind guess ‘cause I really have no idea.
I deleted the post as it was pointless all along. So sorry.
Unless SpaceX or one of their customers decides to tell us, we will probably never know. If it someday becomes relevant to an accident or other investigation and becomes public information, or Elon casually mentions it in a random Tweet, or someone with inside access to SpaceX writes a definitive history of the Falcon rocket family, it will be announced. Otherwise it will be ignored by everyone except a few obsessive rocket fans. Is that a good thing? Probably not. But it is most likely all the information we will ever get.
Actually I think they often mention the cause on the webcast of the next attempt.
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#94
by
VLN
on 19 May, 2023 21:55
-
192019Z MAY 23
NAVAREA XII 309/23(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA
CANCEL NAVAREA XII 283/23 AND THIS MSG.
NAVAREA XII 283/23 was the original NGA launch hazard warning associated with this Iridium/OneWeb launch. Canceling it now seems to leave no warnings in effect along the launch track for the announced launch attempt tomorrow.
Anyone have an interpretation of this, especially if no replacement warning is issued?
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#95
by
zubenelgenubi
on 19 May, 2023 22:20
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Cross-post; 2nd launch attempt:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=iridium-oneweb
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, May 20 at 6:16 a.m. PT (13:16 UTC) for launch of the Iridium OneWeb mission to a low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, and seven Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
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#96
by
Ken the Bin
on 19 May, 2023 22:36
-
192019Z MAY 23
NAVAREA XII 309/23(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA
CANCEL NAVAREA XII 283/23 AND THIS MSG.
NAVAREA XII 283/23 was the original NGA launch hazard warning associated with this Iridium/OneWeb launch. Canceling it now seems to leave no warnings in effect along the launch track for the announced launch attempt tomorrow.
Anyone have an interpretation of this, especially if no replacement warning is issued?
I was just looking at that cancellation notice. My only interpretation is the same as yours ... WTF???
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#97
by
VLN
on 20 May, 2023 03:12
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Canceling it now seems to leave no warnings in effect along the launch track for the announced launch attempt tomorrow.
Anyone have an interpretation of this, especially if no replacement warning is issued?
I was just looking at that cancellation notice. My only interpretation is the same as yours ... WTF???
There's a chance that you and I don't know something relevant.
There's a chance they'll notice it and replace the warning in time.
There's a chance that no vessels will stray into the not-zone at launch time.
Aaaand there's a chance that they'll scrub because of an incursion that could have been avoided.
The suspense will give us a little extra excitement as we watch tomorrow...
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#98
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 12:38
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#99
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 12:42
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Launch autosequence has started
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#100
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 12:47
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#101
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 12:55
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https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1659900428761411584F9/Iridium/OneWeb: Repeating from yesterday, this will be SpaceX's 33rd Falcon-family launch this year, its 5th this month and its 231st overall (including 6 Heavies); 1st stage B1063 is making its 11th flight; a successful recovery would be SpaceX's 193rd overall
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#102
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:01
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#103
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:04
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No issues, all good for launch (weather is good, although still foggy)
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#104
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:07
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#105
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:12
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#106
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:14
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S1 LOX load complete
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#107
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:14
-
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#108
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:15
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S2 LOX load complete
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#109
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:15
-
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#110
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:16
-
LD GO for launch!
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#111
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:17
-
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#112
by
GewoonLukas_
on 20 May, 2023 13:17
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#113
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:18
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#114
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:18
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#115
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:19
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#116
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:20
-
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#117
by
GewoonLukas_
on 20 May, 2023 13:21
-
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#118
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:21
-
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#119
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:23
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#120
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:25
-
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#121
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:26
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SECO-1 & nominal orbit insertion
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#122
by
GewoonLukas_
on 20 May, 2023 13:26
-
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#123
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:27
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Back in about 45 mins for SES-2
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#124
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:29
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Remaining mission timeline
00:55:09 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:55:13 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:59:17 Deployment of first Iridium satellite
01:01:28 Deployment of second Iridium satellite
01:02:02 Deployment of third Iridium satellite
01:02:49 Deployment of fourth Iridium satellite
01:04:30 Deployment of fifth Iridium satellite
01:05:32 Deployment of first and second OneWeb satellites
01:06:25 Deployment of third and fourth OneWeb satellites
01:06:51 Deployment of fifth and sixth OneWeb satellites
01:21:47 Deployment of seventh and eighth OneWeb satellites
01:23:38 Deployment of OneWeb’s JoeySat and ninth OneWeb satellite
01:24:45 Deployment of 10th and 11th OneWeb satellites
01:25:47 Deployment of 12th and 13th OneWeb satellites
01:26:26 Deployment of 14th and 15th OneWeb satellites
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#125
by
striver
on 20 May, 2023 13:29
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New record for turnaround time of VSFB SLC-4E - 9.71 day (233h and 7m). 46h 53m improvement.
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#126
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:37
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T+20 and AOS Easter Island
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#127
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 13:58
-
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#128
by
zubenelgenubi
on 20 May, 2023 14:10
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#129
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:12
-
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#130
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:12
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Nominal orbit insertion
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#131
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:16
-
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#132
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:18
-
Iridium 4 separation confirmed
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#133
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:19
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Iridium 3 separation confirmed
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#134
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:19
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Iridium 2 separation confirmed
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#135
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:21
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Iridium 1 separation confirmed - all Iridium deployments complete
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#136
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:22
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OneWeb Alpha 2 & 6 deployment confirmed
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#137
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:23
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OneWeb Alpha 1 & 5 deployment confirmed
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#138
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:24
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LOS so next deployments likely to be confirmed in a few minutes
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#139
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:33
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OneWeb Bravo 8 & Bravo 4 separation confirmed
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#140
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:39
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OneWeb Alpha 3 & 7 separation confirmed
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#141
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:41
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OneWeb Bravo 5 & 1 JoeySat separation confirmed
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#142
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:42
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OneWeb Alpha 8 & 4 separation confirmed
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#143
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:43
-
OneWeb Bravo 7 & 3 separation confirmed
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#144
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:44
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OneWeb Bravo 6 & 2 separation confirmed - all deployments complete!
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#145
by
GewoonLukas_
on 20 May, 2023 14:44
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AOS for all 5 Iridium satellites:
Just received telemetry from all 5 satellites over Svalbard. All healthy and talking! Thank you @SpaceX, @Thales_Alenia_S and all the team members that got these satellites to space. We got it from here!
https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/1659932367006453764
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#146
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:45
-
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#147
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 14:46
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Congratulations to Iridium, OneWeb and SpaceX on a successful mission!
Nice to see Iridium launching again from Vandy.
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#148
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 15:04
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#149
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 May, 2023 15:26
-
https://twitter.com/oneweb/status/1659943502745161728#OneWebLaunch19 is a success! We are delighted to report we have made contact with all 16 satellites launched today with @SpaceX, including our demonstration satellite, JoeySat.
Find out more about what today's mission means for OneWeb on our website at:
http://oneweb.net/resources/oneweb-confirms-successful-deployment-16-satellites-including-next-generation-joeysatOneWeb confirms successful deployment of 16 satellites including next-generation JoeySat
- Launch 19 brings the total OneWeb constellation to 634 satellites, increasing redundancy and resiliency as global coverage nears activation
- Launch includes innovative JoeySat, a demonstration satellite previewing next-generation capabilities
London, 20 May 2023 – OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, today confirmed the successful deployment of 16 satellites that will provide increased resilience and redundancy to the OneWeb constellation as the company progresses toward global services. Included in this key batch is JoeySat, a satellite that will test an innovative beam-hopping capability which will allow satellites to switch between different places on Earth and adjust the strength of the communications signals based on customer needs or demands.
Liftoff occurred on 20 May at 6:16 PT (local) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. OneWeb’s satellites separated successfully from the vehicle and were dispensed in eight phases over a period of 1 hour and 26 minutes, and signal acquisition on all 16 satellites has been confirmed. The launch marked OneWeb’s fourth successful launch with SpaceX.
With 634 satellites now in-orbit, OneWeb is on track to deliver global coverage this year and is already in the process of scaling services for customers around the world. With the addition of the satellites deployed from this launch, OneWeb will increase the resiliency and redundancy in the constellation as it expands services to its growing base of enterprise and government customers.
The 16th satellite launched today is nicknamed JoeySat. Developed through the European Space Agency and UKSA Sunrise Partnership programme, JoeySat carries an innovative payload design which will demonstrate digital regenerative processing, electronically steered multi-beam arrays, and digital beamforming and beam-hopping technologies. These capabilities, planned for OneWeb’s Gen 2 constellation, will offer more flexibility and capacity to customers, optimizing resources to manage real-time surges in commercial demand or to enable rapid responses to emergencies such as natural disasters.
This new digital payload is developed in the UK by our Sunrise programme partner, Satixfy UK. JoeySat is also an integral component of the End-to-End system validations, testing innovative features including 5G Pilot Tests, which will be performed in collaboration with University of Surrey UK, Celestia UK and Satixfy UK. The aim is to create an interoperable network integrating space and ground assets by which OneWeb will be able to seamlessly manage backhaul to support 5G connectivity.
Also on board JoeySat is a Radiation Monitor, developed by partners Oledcomm and Advacam, which will measure and monitor the radiation environment in LEO, and provide critical information to OneWeb and the scientific community for future missions.
Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb, commented: “We are excited to see the successful completion of our 19th launch, which would not have been possible without our committed team and our enormously skilled launch partners. We have made tremendous progress in scaling our services, and today’s launch is a testament to our commitment to continue improving our service to our customers. Never ones to rest on our laurels, we also view this launch as proof positive of our drive to innovate, as we test new technologies that will usher in the future of our connectivity capabilities and services. We now look ahead to scaling our services as well as making important advancements in the future of connectivity.”
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#150
by
wannamoonbase
on 20 May, 2023 18:47
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Love the quick turnaround at Vandy
Bring on the next one!
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#151
by
alugobi
on 20 May, 2023 18:49
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Maybe they can launch one without an abort or "additional checkouts" this time. Without checking, seems like about half a dozen now that couldn't launch on time.
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#152
by
matthewkantar
on 20 May, 2023 20:37
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Maybe they can launch one without an abort or "additional checkouts" this time. Without checking, seems like about half a dozen now that couldn't launch on time.
Yeah all these delays! Five days between launches is like…super lame.
nb. “Seems like ≠ is.”
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#153
by
alugobi
on 20 May, 2023 22:07
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I don't know what you're arguing against. I made no implication that the delays are an issue, other than that they occur. Something at Vandenberg that we don't see elsewhere, in terms of frequency.
Edit: fewer than I was remembering, that were not weather related. And that's where I may have misremembered, because this winter was so unusual in SoCal.
I looked at the previous 10 missions from Vandenberg.
6 delays/scrubs for weather
3 aborts/cancels
1 on time
So, 3 out of 10.
This is an observation out of interest, not a criticism.
2023-05-20 Iridium 9/OneWeb Abort at 55 seconds
2023-05-10 Starlink 2-9 On time
2023-04-27 Starlink 3-5 Scrub, bad landing weather
2023-04-14 SpaceX Transporter-7 Scrub, weather
2023-04-02 SDA Tranche 0 Flight 1 Abort, additional vehicle preparations
2023-03-17 Starlink 2-8 Postponed, weather
2023-03-03 Starlink 2-7 Delayed, weather
2023-02-17 Starlink 2-5 Delayed, weather
2023-01-31 Starlink 2-6 (R) Delayed, additional pre-launch checkouts
2023-01-19 Starlink 2-4 Delayed, weather
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#154
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 May, 2023 07:08
-
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#155
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 22 May, 2023 22:48
-
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#156
by
realnouns
on 23 May, 2023 16:43
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Scorpius + OCISLY + B1063 return PoLB on 5/23/2023 @ 9:15am PT (12:15PM ET)
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#157
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 23 May, 2023 22:35
-
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#158
by
zubenelgenubi
on 24 May, 2023 05:38
-
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#159
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 May, 2023 04:51
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#160
by
GWR64
on 09 May, 2024 19:30
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not entirely new anymore:
https://lacuna.space/lacuna-announces-the-successful-commissioning-of-their-iot-gateway-technology-on-oneweb-satellite/Lacuna Announces the Successful Commissioning of Their IoT Gateway Technology on OneWeb Satellite
Oxford UK, 27th March 2024 – Lacuna Space, the leading provider of direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity, announces successful commissioning and trials with large-constellation operator OneWeb.
In May 2023, OneWeb launched the technology demonstrator satellite, known as JoeySat, hosting Lacuna’s low-power IoT gateway payload. Since its launch, Lacuna has undergone commissioning of the payload and is pleased to announce successful operation.
This IoT gateway extends the functionality of the satellite beyond OneWeb’s core broadband business, now allowing ultra-low-power sensors to send data directly to satellite to be forwarded to secure internet platforms. Many industries crave visibility of their field-deployed assets, often located off-grid and outside of existing terrestrial coverage, making this data acquisition service extremely valuable for the enterprise market undergoing digital transformation.
Key markets requiring such remote sensing capability include:
Agriculture, including forestry and aquaculture,
Utilities, particularly linear infrastructures spanning between cities,
Environmental monitoring and ecology,
Shipping logistics,
Construction and mining
Lacuna’s technology is based on open standards, meaning that a huge ecosystem of sensor manufacturers are able to design and build their own bespoke solutions able to take advantage of this new capability. With just one charge, sensors are able to stay connected to satellites for multiple years.
Beyond this ultra-low-power operation, an additional reason for OneWeb to select Lacuna to participate in this trial was Lacuna’s ability to rapidly deliver the payload on a tight schedule ahead of the launch. Lacuna’s gateway is now proven in-orbit across five different constellations, including Lacuna’s own satellites, and with more in the pipeline.
Lacuna operates its own constellation of LEO satellites at 500km to provide their core service and also make their technology available to other satellite operators such as OneWeb. JoeySat is currently operating at 600km and will raise orbit to 1200km in the next year. Together with other operators using Lacuna’s technology, including Omnispace at 10,000km, with some new entrants proposing also stratospheric balloons as low as 20km. This tapestry of satellites across a range of altitudes showcases Lacuna’s capability and commitment to deliver global connectivity through a novel approach.
For more information about how to access the IoT service, or to host IoT payloads on your own satellites, please contact us here : https://lacuna.space/contact/
