Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : EROS C3 #1 : Vandenberg : 29/30 December 2022 (07:38 UTC) (Read 33716 times)

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #100 on:** 12/30/2022 07:29 pm »

https://twitter.com/inbarspace/status/1608894309549625344

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Israel's new eye in the sky - EROS C-3, built by @ILAerospaceIAI for @ImageSatIntl . Launched by @SpaceX Falcon 9 this morning (Israel time). Impressive satellite - just wait for images it will provide...in very high resolution and colors.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #101 on:** 12/30/2022 11:06 pm »

https://twitter.com/ticklestuffyo/status/1608976060674375680

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This is the @SpaceX patch for the ISI EROS C-3 launch yesterday.

OneSpeed · « **Reply #102 on:** 12/31/2022 02:11 am »

The EROS-C3 mission profile comprised a so far unique combination of attributes for a SpaceX mission:

1. The highest retrograde orbital inclination so far of 139.36°.
2. Direct injection to a nearly circular 485km x 503km orbit.
3. Booster RTLS.
4. No doglegs.
5. ~400kg payload.

The closest SpaceX mission profile to this I can find is Formosat-5 from August 2017. Formosat-5 flew to a less expensive SSO (97°) inclination, a slightly higher 730km x 717km orbit, landed the booster on an ASDS, also performed no doglegs, and delivered a similar 475kg payload.

In 2017 the telemetry was usually from the second stage only, although Formosat-5 did switch briefly to the booster landing after SECO. This comparison is purely from second stage data.

Some points of interest are:

1. The EROS-C3 booster had more thrust for the entire boost stage, and MECO is sooner for that reason, as well as because she reserved propellant for the boostback burn.

2. The EROS-C3 second stage had greater thrust for the first half of her burn, then throttled back significantly. Formosat-5 limited acceleration to about 3.5g in terminal guidance, whereas EROS-C3 SECO was at about 5g.

3. In summary, although Formosat-5 was delivered to a higher altitude, EROS-C3 was delivered to a more retrograde orbit, as well as returning the booster to the launch site, a testament to improved overall performance over the last 5 years of Falcon 9 operations.