#FLTA004 here we come! The Firefly team successfully completed stage testing on our Alpha rocket in our fastest test sprint to date. Off to Vandenberg next… stay tuned for more details.
There already is a thread for this launch:https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58177.0
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 10/25/2023 06:30 pmThere already is a thread for this launch:https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58177.0Different payloads as Flight 4's primary payload is Tantrum scheduled for NET October now November 2023 as VCLS Demo-2FB (ELaNa 43) mission was bumped to March 2024.One reference regarding the Tantrum payload being NET October 2023:https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/firefly.htm
Any other sources/info regarding this satellite?
When I Googled "tantrum satellite" the first two listings were to the Lockheed Martin LM400 page and an article on Lockheed Martin flying a "technology demonstration mission" with Firefly. What I find strange is that none of these pages mention Tantrum!
https://firefly.com/firefly_space/status/1717232318904258575Quote#FLTA004 here we come! The Firefly team successfully completed stage testing on our Alpha rocket in our fastest test sprint to date. Off to Vandenberg next… stay tuned for more details.
https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1724944359378788405QuoteJust two months after our VICTUS NOX launch, the Firefly crew has completed stage integration and rolled Alpha out to the pad. Stay tuned for more info about flight 4!
Just two months after our VICTUS NOX launch, the Firefly crew has completed stage integration and rolled Alpha out to the pad. Stay tuned for more info about flight 4!
Firefly:1125-EX-ST-2023 Tantrum mission NET Oct [1], [NLT Apr 1]
Cross-post:Quote from: Salo on 10/13/2023 09:35 amScheduled:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2024NET November 2023 March - VCLS (VADR) Demo-2FB/ELaNa 43: CatSat, KUbe-Sat-1, MESAT1, R5-S4, R5-S2-2.0, REAL, Serenity (3), SOC-i, TechEdSat-11 (TES-11) - Firefly Alpha (FLTA004) - Vandenberg SLC-2W (or NLT July)NET March - OTB 2 (Orbital Test Bed-2) - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET March - EOS SAR 1 - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET October 2023 Q1 - Tantrum - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WQ1 - iSIM-SAT - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2W / Canaveral SLC-20Q2 - TBD - Firefly Beta - Canaveral SLC-20NET January Q2 - SUV demo mission, FANTM Ride - Firefly Alpha (FLTA005?) - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET December 2023 Q2 - Spaceflight Inc. multi satellite launch - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WQ4 - TBD - Firefly Beta - Vandenberg SLC-2ETBD - Firefly Alpha - Lockheed Martin mission - Firefly Alpha - TBDTBD - TBD - Firefly Alpha - Canaveral SLC-20TBD - TBD - Firefly Alpha - Canaveral SLC-20Changes on October 13th
Scheduled:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2024NET November 2023 March - VCLS (VADR) Demo-2FB/ELaNa 43: CatSat, KUbe-Sat-1, MESAT1, R5-S4, R5-S2-2.0, REAL, Serenity (3), SOC-i, TechEdSat-11 (TES-11) - Firefly Alpha (FLTA004) - Vandenberg SLC-2W (or NLT July)NET March - OTB 2 (Orbital Test Bed-2) - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET March - EOS SAR 1 - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET October 2023 Q1 - Tantrum - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WQ1 - iSIM-SAT - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2W / Canaveral SLC-20Q2 - TBD - Firefly Beta - Canaveral SLC-20NET January Q2 - SUV demo mission, FANTM Ride - Firefly Alpha (FLTA005?) - Vandenberg SLC-2WNET December 2023 Q2 - Spaceflight Inc. multi satellite launch - Firefly Alpha - Vandenberg SLC-2WQ4 - TBD - Firefly Beta - Vandenberg SLC-2ETBD - Firefly Alpha - Lockheed Martin mission - Firefly Alpha - TBDTBD - TBD - Firefly Alpha - Canaveral SLC-20TBD - TBD - Firefly Alpha - Canaveral SLC-20Changes on October 13th
Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Technology DemonstratorNovember 22, 2023This self-funded payload demonstrator, which will launch aboard Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket, extends Lockheed Martin’s significant investment in scalable wideband ESA technology development to showcasing an actual on-orbit capability. This technology is critical to future remote sensing architectures and is built on a novel, scalable design, using highly-reliable commercial parts for quick, mass-producibility. For this demonstration, it was integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus.
Possible candidate?:QuoteElectronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Technology DemonstratorNovember 22, 2023This self-funded payload demonstrator, which will launch aboard Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket, extends Lockheed Martin’s significant investment in scalable wideband ESA technology development to showcasing an actual on-orbit capability. This technology is critical to future remote sensing architectures and is built on a novel, scalable design, using highly-reliable commercial parts for quick, mass-producibility. For this demonstration, it was integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus.
Possible candidate?:
Mission SummaryAlpha FLTA004, called Fly the Lightning, will launch a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin in low Earth orbit to help get on-orbit capabilities in the hands of U.S. warfighters faster. As a secondary objective, the mission team will further demonstrate responsive space capabilities by tracking and improving the total working hours required from payload receival to launch readiness compared to Alpha FLTA003, the record-breaking VICTUS NOX mission. During the final launch operations, the mission team will encapsulate and mate the payload to Firefly’s Alpha rocket using a similar responsive timeline. Our rapid, iterative operations and robust facilities, including Firefly’s payload processing facility at our launch site, allows the team to quickly ready the payload and rocket for liftoff.
@Firefly_Space's Alpha rocket was captured laying horizontal at SLC-2W on 2023-12-08 ahead of the Fly the Lightning mission for @LockheedMartin.
Our dedicated, hardworking Alpha launch crew successfully completed a static fire over the weekend. As part of our “test what you fly” approach, these full-duration hot fires verify all systems are GO for launch. Stay tuned for more on Alpha #FLTA004 #FlyTheLightning for @LockheedMartin.
Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA for Western Range 2343 from 8:48am on 20 December, 2023 until 10:26am on 21 December, 2023. Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:....
Get ready for Alpha #FLTA004 Fly the Lightning! We’re prepared to launch no earlier than Dec. 20 with backup dates through Dec. 22, depending on local weather in Vandenberg. This mission for @LockheedMartin will serve as another opportunity for us to demonstrate our responsive space operations. Stay tuned for the livestream in collaboration with @NASASpaceflight! More on the mission here:
December 18, 2023Firefly Aerospace Ready to Launch Alpha FLTA004 for Lockheed Martin No Earlier Than December 20Alpha FLTA004 Livestream with NASA SpaceflightAs Firefly’s second responsive space operation, Fly the Lightning will get on-orbit capabilities into the hands of U.S. warfighters fasterVANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif, – December 18, 2023 – Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced its Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission is prepared to launch no earlier than December 20 with backup dates through December 22, depending on local weather. The daily 20-minute launch window will open at 9:18 am PST.The Fly the Lightning mission will deploy an Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) payload developed by Lockheed Martin to demonstrate rapid delivery of on-orbit capabilities for U.S. warfighters. As a secondary objective, the mission team will further demonstrate responsive space capabilities by tracking and improving the total working hours required from payload receival to launch readiness compared to Alpha FLTA003, the record-breaking VICTUS NOX mission.“On the heels of our successful Alpha launch for the U.S Space Force, the Firefly team will continue to push the limits and set new standards in the industry, operating at a rapid pace for Alpha FLTA004 and future missions in response to the needs of our customers,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “This team is utilizing lessons from our VICTUS NOX mission to fundamentally change how quickly both government and commercial customers can process their payloads and launch assets to space.”During the final launch operations, the team will transport the payload faring to the launch pad and mate it to Firefly’s Alpha rocket using similar responsive operations to VICTUS NOX. The launch is being observed by members of the U.S. Space Force Tactically Responsive Space team to inform future missions and the requirements for repeatable on-demand launch capabilities.“Through the VICTUS NOX demonstration, the Space Force proved the United States can rapidly respond to national security threats in space on an unprecedented timeline,” said Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, Materiel Leader and Chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division of the U.S. Space Force. “We’re now focused on transforming Tactically Responsive Space from a groundbreaking achievement into a repeatable capability. By partnering with Firefly to observe Alpha FLT004, we can continue to build synergy with commercial industry and further define the training, infrastructure, and operational requirements for long-term repeatability.”Fly the Lightning will launch from Firefly’s SLC-2 complex at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Firefly’s new payload processing facility at its launch site allows the team to rapidly fuel and integrate payloads in a clean room environment. The company’s flight-proven Alpha rocket, lifting more than 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit, further enables direct, on-demand deliveries when and where customers need to fly. “What we’re most excited about is that this mission features several firsts – a new payload, built rapidly in a new way, with Firefly as a new launch partner,” said Bob Behnken, director of Technology Acceleration for Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization. “This also marks the first of our self-funded technology demonstrations through Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization, created to accelerate development projects like this, push limits and expand capabilities for customers.”Lockheed Martin’s ESA demonstrator payload, integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus. The payload was developed by Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization stood up to focus on exploratory research and development, accelerating the pace of technology development, and introducing new product innovations.For more details on the Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission and livestream, visit https://fireflyspace.com/missions/fly-the-lightning/.
Alpha FLTA004 Livestream with NASA Spaceflight
It’s L-1 for the Fly the Lightning mission on our Alpha #FLTA004 rocket! Fireflies are preparing for another rapid launch operation where the encapsulated payload fairing will be mated to the rocket just hours before liftoff. We're hoping Mother Nature cooperates for a liftoff of @LockheedMartin's payload tomorrow morning from @SLDelta30. Sign up for the livestream here: youtube.com/watch?v=QMJv-5…
Heads up West Coast, if weather conditions cooperate, you may be able to catch a glimpse of our Alpha rocket launch! Our Fly the Lightning mission is scheduled to liftoff from Vandenberg, California, as early as tomorrow morning at 9:18 am PST. Starting at T-0, use this visibility map to see when you can view Alpha #FLTA004.
What time is the launch tomorrow?
Somewhere over the rainbow, our Alpha rocket is feeling the good vibes as the Fly the Lightning launch countdown is officially underway. This hardworking team is once again conducting their rapid operations for this @LockheedMartin mission. Tune into the #FLTA004 livestream here, starting at T-60 minutes: youtube.com/watch?v=QMJv-5….Photo credit: Firefly Aerospace / Sean Parker
Quote from: jstrotha0975 on 12/19/2023 06:51 pmWhat time is the launch tomorrow?Launch window is 9:18 am - 9:38 am PST (17:18 - 17:38 UTC)
Firefly's Alpha rocket is set to launch the FLTA004 "Fly the Lightning" mission from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday.The 20-minute window opens at 9:18 AM local time (17:18 UTC).https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/12/fly-the-lightning/- By Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998)
Happy launch day y'all! The countdown for Alpha #FLTA004 is underway. Teams are monitoring weather, which is currently a 30% go. Alpha stands ready to launch. Go Fly the Lightning! Watch live at T-60 minutes to liftoff scheduled for 9:18 am PST: https://youtube.com/live/QMJv-54Dpcc?si=Mk5KBCUU9OvZnbn7
Alpha LOX loading is underway. On track for liftoff at 9:18 am PST from @SLDelta30 #FLTA004 #FlyTheLightning
As the team continues to countdown for today’s Alpha launch, we have adjusted the T-0 to 9:24 am PST to support optimal ground tracking for the mission. #FLTA004 #FlyTheLightning
scrubbedToday’s launch attempt of our Alpha rocket has been scrubbed due to weather conditions.
Our Alpha launch is rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 22 at 9:18 a.m. PST, following today’s scrub due to inclement weather. The rocket and payload remain healthy - we’re just waiting on Mother Nature! Livestream will begin T-60 minutes to liftoff. #FTLA004 #FlyTheLightningPhoto credit: Firefly Aerospace / @TrevorMahlmann
Following Wednesday's scrub due to unfavorable weather, Firefly Aerospace plans to conduct its second launch of the year on Friday in just under 24 hours. NSF will provide Livestream Production Services for this launch.➡️youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS…Liftoff of an Alpha rocket from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is scheduled during a 20-minute launch window, opening at 9:18 a.m. PST / 17:18 UTC.The mission, dubbed Fly The Lightning, is a dedicated commercial launch for Lockheed Martin, lofting the company's Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Demo to Low Earth Orbit. ESA is to demonstrate faster on-orbit sensor calibration to deliver rapid capabilities to U.S. warfighters.Photo: Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer)/NSF for Firefly.
So pumped to be here in California with @Firefly_Space! Here’s a few shots of final launch preps. Alpha takes to the skies Friday at 9:18 a.m. PST 🚀 #FlyTheLightning ⚡️🎥Tune-in live here, beginning 60min prior to liftoff: youtube.com/live/QMJv-54Dp…
Twas the morning of launch and all throughout the pad The rocket is ready and no issues to be had.Today’s T-0 for Alpha’s Fly the Lightning Mission is 9:32am PST. Tune in to the livestream, beginning an hour before launch at https://youtube.com/live/QMJv-54Dpcc?si=-qnlE84k-t8hq7PV #FLTA004
Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket (FLTA004) with the "Fly the Lightning" mission livestream begins in 60 minutes.Overview:https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/12/fly-the-lightning/ - by Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998)NSF is providing Livestream Production Services for this launch. ➡️
Live behind the scenes from Alpha’s Fly the Lightning Mission control room, ACE (Alpha’s Chief Engineer) is monitoring systems as the team counts down to 9:32 a.m. PST, tune in live to the @NASASpaceflight broadcast one hour before launch! youtube.com/live/QMJv-54Dp…
Update: weather has improved to 40% POV and trending better for launch – range is GREEN! GO for launch Alpha, let’s Fly the Lightning! #FLTA004
Update from the range's weather plane, conditions are still GREEN for today's mission! GO Alpha, Fly the Lightning! #FLTA004
Firefly is go for launch.youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS…
Strongback retract.
LAUNCH! Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket (FLTA004) - with the "Fly the Lightning" mission - launches from Vandenberg SLC-2W. Overview: nasaspaceflight.com/2023/12/fly-th… - by Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998)Livestream➡️youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS…
Staging 1-2.
SECO-1 - nominal.
Beautiful picture-perfect view of our Alpha rocket as we lifted off from @vandenberg_sfb at 9:32 a.m. PST this morning. Next, our second-stage engine will place the @lockheedmartin payload in its final orbit! Photo credit: Firefly Aerospace/Trevor Mahlmann
Beautiful launch of @Firefly_Space's Alpha rocket this morning from Vandenberg SFB. @NASASpaceflight
Alpha reached orbit and the second stage engine shut off as planned. In about 40 minutes, we’ll briefly relight Firefly’s second stage engine to circularize our orbit. GO ALPHA, way to Fly the Lightning!! #FLTA004 @LockheedMartin
Congratulations @Firefly_Space on today's launch of Alpha #FLTA004 and thanks for the lift! Our Electronically Steerable Antenna technology demonstrator is on its way to orbit. 🛰️
.@Firefly_Space's Alpha #FLTA004 takes off from SLC-2W at Vandenberg SFB, carrying @LMSpace's Tantrum demo satellite to low Earth orbit.
Two objects cataloged by Space Force in 215 x 523 km x 140.0 deg orbit. If this is the LM satellite and the Firefly second stage, it may suggest the second stage restart was not successful.
Groundtrack of the 2023-202A/202B objects from SpaceTrack TLEs, consistent with being the Firefly launch. Orbital elements have epoch of 1907 UTC, which should be after the circ burn, and the fact there are two objects argues against it being a mesaurement pre-SECO2.
Hopefully the silence means they are still trouble shooting and haven’t yet written off achieving the correct orbit.
Quote from: JCM tweetTwo objects cataloged by Space Force in 215 x 523 km x 140.0 deg orbit. If this is the LM satellite and the Firefly second stage, it may suggest the second stage restart was not successful.
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 12/22/2023 07:27 pmQuote from: JCM tweetTwo objects cataloged by Space Force in 215 x 523 km x 140.0 deg orbit. If this is the LM satellite and the Firefly second stage, it may suggest the second stage restart was not successful.Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/22/2023 07:34 pmHopefully the silence means they are still trouble shooting and haven’t yet written off achieving the correct orbit.How much delta-v does the satellite have? The L-M team could still raise the perigee to a closer-to-circular orbit.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/22/2023 08:47 pmQuote from: GewoonLukas_ on 12/22/2023 07:27 pmQuote from: JCM tweetTwo objects cataloged by Space Force in 215 x 523 km x 140.0 deg orbit. If this is the LM satellite and the Firefly second stage, it may suggest the second stage restart was not successful.Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/22/2023 07:34 pmHopefully the silence means they are still trouble shooting and haven’t yet written off achieving the correct orbit.How much delta-v does the satellite have? The L-M team could still raise the perigee to a closer-to-circular orbit.Here is that from the the fact sheet for the Nebula bus as well as the fact sheet itself.
Quote from: Jrcraft on 12/22/2023 08:52 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/22/2023 08:47 pmQuote from: GewoonLukas_ on 12/22/2023 07:27 pmQuote from: JCM tweetTwo objects cataloged by Space Force in 215 x 523 km x 140.0 deg orbit. If this is the LM satellite and the Firefly second stage, it may suggest the second stage restart was not successful.Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/22/2023 07:34 pmHopefully the silence means they are still trouble shooting and haven’t yet written off achieving the correct orbit.How much delta-v does the satellite have? The L-M team could still raise the perigee to a closer-to-circular orbit.Here is that from the the fact sheet for the Nebula bus as well as the fact sheet itself.Electric thrusters only? Not well-suited for raising the perigee before atmospheric entry.L-M has their work cut out for them.✂️ Feels like a contingency mission.Come on, little satellite! 🛰🙏
You put on a good show. Glad to have seen it in person thanks to the weather delay.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/22/2023 08:47 pmHow much delta-v does the satellite have? The L-M team could still raise the perigee to a closer-to-circular orbit.It only takes like 100m/s to raise its orbit, the problem is that drag is gonna be heavy at 215km.
How much delta-v does the satellite have? The L-M team could still raise the perigee to a closer-to-circular orbit.
What I would like to know is why the customer opted to stop the coverage after Seco-1, rather than at faring sep, even though we had some visibility of the satellite before that. Maybe the vehicle was engaged in some activity to prepare for seco-2 that we are not permitted to observe? Usually, the customer does not want us to see the vehicle at all under these circumstances.
There's also the time needed to get 100 m/s from a 1.1 mN thruster that was intended for station keeping on a 380 kg (?) satellite, not for orbital maneuvers. About a year?
8 hours post launch, still no statement from Firefly?
How many of these thrusters are aboard, and how many could be used in concert to produce net delta-v to raise perigee?I am interested in what the amateur satellite observers, visual and RF, will observe in the coming days.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/23/2023 12:45 amHow many of these thrusters are aboard, and how many could be used in concert to produce net delta-v to raise perigee?I am interested in what the amateur satellite observers, visual and RF, will observe in the coming days.In the absence of anything official, I'd be watching this page to look for any positive changes in apogee or perigee. https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202
Quote from: Jrcraft on 12/23/2023 01:39 amQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 12/23/2023 12:45 amHow many of these thrusters are aboard, and how many could be used in concert to produce net delta-v to raise perigee?I am interested in what the amateur satellite observers, visual and RF, will observe in the coming days.In the absence of anything official, I'd be watching this page to look for any positive changes in apogee or perigee. https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202Semi major axis seems to slightly increase.I think this can be put in a stable orbit.
CelesTrak has GP data for 2 objects from the launch (2023-202) of a military demonstration satellite atop an Alpha rocket from Vandenberg SFB on Dec 22 at 1732 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/12/20/liv…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202
Today, Firefly’s Alpha launch had a successful liftoff & progressed seamlessly through each stage of flight, including MECO, stage separation, fairing separation and the first SECO. Alpha’s scheduled stage 2 engine relight did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit. Communications to the spacecraft has been established and mission operations are now underway. Read more here
Mission UpdateFirefly’s Alpha FLTA004 launch had a successful liftoff and progressed seamlessly through each stage of flight, including stage one main engine cutoff (MECO), stage separation, stage two ignition, fairing separation, and second stage engine cutoff (SECO) 1. Following SECO 1, Alpha’s scheduled stage 2 engine relight did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit. However, communication to the spacecraft has been established and mission operations are now underway.Firefly recognizes all that went into preparation of the payload and would like to thank Lockheed Martin for their continued support. In line with our core principals as a company, we will rapidly and continuously innovate to find a solution and ensure complete resolution of any anomaly we see during flight. We will work with our customer and government partners to investigate the stage 2 performance and determine the root cause. As more information is available, we will be providing updates here.
Following SECO 1, Alpha’s scheduled stage 2 engine relight did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit.
QuoteFollowing SECO 1, Alpha’s scheduled stage 2 engine relight did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit.Sounds like the second stage did relight to some extent, but it underperformed in some way, maybe because reduced thrust or an early cutoff. How long was the burn was supposed to be? I would guess it would be pretty short, maybe <5 seconds.
The ESA sensor is expected to calibrate in a fraction of the time it takes to operationalize traditional on-orbit sensors, which historically can take months to be powered on, fully calibrated and ready to perform their mission.
Quote from: spacenuance on 12/23/2023 05:02 amQuoteFollowing SECO 1, Alpha’s scheduled stage 2 engine relight did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit.Sounds like the second stage did relight to some extent, but it underperformed in some way, maybe because reduced thrust or an early cutoff. How long was the burn was supposed to be? I would guess it would be pretty short, maybe <5 seconds.10 seconds.
Quote from: TS Kelso tweetCelesTrak has GP data for 2 objects from the launch (2023-202) of a military demonstration satellite atop an Alpha rocket from Vandenberg SFB on Dec 22 at 1732 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/12/20/liv…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202[Dec 23 UTC]
CelesTrak has GP data for 2 objects from the launch (2023-202) of a military demonstration satellite atop an Alpha rocket from Vandenberg SFB on Dec 22 at 1732 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/12/20/liv…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202[Dec 23 UTC]
Should the mission outcome be a partial success?I feel that "partial failure" sounds too negative based on what Firefly stated.
Launch day views from the @Firefly_Space #FlyTheLightning Mission from @SLDelta30 more to come!! @LockheedMartin 12-23-23
🚀Liftoff of @Firefly_Space's Alpha #FLTA004 'Fly The Lightning' mission⚡️
Sadly, Celestrak data (https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202) seem to indicate that atmospheric drag is winning.
EDIT: Cancel and replace.I have a glimmer of hope, based on what is likely a flawed physical model, that under constant thrust and absent atmospheric drag Tantrum could have raised both its orbital perigee and apogee by 1 km in 2.28 days.Sadly, Celestrak data (https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202) seem to indicate that atmospheric drag is winning.
Quote from: sdsds on 12/23/2023 06:08 pmEDIT: Cancel and replace.I have a glimmer of hope, based on what is likely a flawed physical model, that under constant thrust and absent atmospheric drag Tantrum could have raised both its orbital perigee and apogee by 1 km in 2.28 days.Sadly, Celestrak data (https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202) seem to indicate that atmospheric drag is winning.I would not expect them to even have begun thrusting yet. Will likely take a few daysto plan an emergency mission *if* they should do so.Most likely: will just be allowed to decay.
Quote'Fly The Lightning' mission⚡️
'Fly The Lightning' mission⚡️
Either way, it appears that three of the first four Alpha's have failed, two at second stage restart. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 12/22/2023 11:03 pm Either way, it appears that three of the first four Alpha's have failed, two at second stage restart. - Ed KyleDoes anyone happen to have breakdown of how many launch failures (for either the US or the world) have been due to an upper stage problem vs a booster problem (using the strict definition of failure to achieve target orbit safely)? My gut says more failures are due to upper stages, but I haven't taken the time to dig up all the numbers.
Disagree. They still can get valuable engineering data for various systems of the spacecraft even if it doesn't make orbit. Maybe the spacecraft can stay up long enough to do some tests with the ESA array.
Quote from: sdsds on 12/23/2023 06:08 pmSadly, Celestrak data (https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-202) seem to indicate that atmospheric drag is winning.The Celestrak data looks to me like there is ONLY a slow orbital decay happening.I don't see evidence for any significant spacecraft thrusting taking place- or if any is, as you note drag is winning.
Something to remember with orbit decay is that the rate of decay speeds up exponentially as altitude decreases.
Can anyone explain what’s going on here? Is this change of slope of SMA due to a real ongoing transfer of orbital energy from B to A?Or is it an artifact of how Celestrak plots SMA (as altitude rather than apogee and perigee separately)?Anyway, the plot seems to suggest that A (presumably the Lockheed ESA payload) will last a tad longer than previously expected.
Quote from: VLN on 12/29/2023 02:31 amCan anyone explain what’s going on here? Is this change of slope of SMA due to a real ongoing transfer of orbital energy from B to A?Or is it an artifact of how Celestrak plots SMA (as altitude rather than apogee and perigee separately)?Anyway, the plot seems to suggest that A (presumably the Lockheed ESA payload) will last a tad longer than previously expected.My guess is nothing physically happened but the software that decides which radar returns belong to which object had a bad day and swapped the two objects for the last point in time. If you plot object B's last SMA and eccentricity on object A's plot and vice versa the last point in time continues the trend lines.
58616 TYVAK-1015 (TANTRUM) 2023-202A 140.01 501 21458617 FIREFLY ALPHA R/B 2023-202B 140.02 487 210
ORLANDO, Fla. — A Lockheed Martin satellite that was placed in the wrong orbit Dec. 22 is expected to de-orbit in February. Despite a much shortened mission, the company said it successfully accomplished many of the objectives of the technology demonstration....Bob Behnken, director of technology acceleration at Lockheed Martin Space, told SpaceNews in a statement that the company’s antenna technology demonstration payload “exceeded our expectations and successfully completed all primary mission objectives. This feat is even more impressive in light of the spacecraft being placed in an unplanned, lower orbit, which resulted in a dramatically compressed mission timeline.”...From the lower orbit location, he said, “we’ve completed more than 100 payload testing events to date, and continue to achieve more each day.”
January 31, 2024“As Firefly communicated in the immediate hours following Alpha FLTA004, we experienced a mishap when the second stage failed to achieve the planned target orbit for payload deployment. The subsequent investigation is progressing very well, and we will have more information to share in the weeks ahead as we wrap up our review and take corrective action. As part of that process, we invited our mission partner and future customers to serve as external oversight of the investigation for full transparency, and that exchange has been extremely valuable for the entire community.Despite these challenges, the Firefly team placed our mission partner in an orbit where they successfully completed their primary mission objectives, including rapid commissioning of the satellite following insertion. Before communicating any further mission-related status on our partner’s payload, we waited until their confirmation of performance and success, which they released in a recent statement.Ultimately, the important long-term outcome is the rapid, thorough maturation of Alpha as the dependable one metric ton class rocket the market is demanding, which Firefly is dedicated to and is delivering. In the near term, it is a testament to the hard work and commitment of Firefly as a company that we were able to work alongside our partner to achieve this positive outcome.” – Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
[...] So Feb 14, 2024 looks like the No Later Than date for re-entry.
Tantrum reported to have reentered sometime between 1426 and 1518 UTC Feb 10. That almost 1 hr uncertainty corresponds to a track from Brazil to S Africa to NW Australia to Papua to Wake Island.
https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martins-misplaced-satellite-to-fall-back-to-earth-next-month/QuoteORLANDO, Fla. — A Lockheed Martin satellite that was placed in the wrong orbit Dec. 22 is expected to de-orbit in February. Despite a much shortened mission, the company said it successfully accomplished many of the objectives of the technology demonstration....Bob Behnken, director of technology acceleration at Lockheed Martin Space, told SpaceNews in a statement that the company’s antenna technology demonstration payload “exceeded our expectations and successfully completed all primary mission objectives. This feat is even more impressive in light of the spacecraft being placed in an unplanned, lower orbit, which resulted in a dramatically compressed mission timeline.”...From the lower orbit location, he said, “we’ve completed more than 100 payload testing events to date, and continue to achieve more each day.”edit/gongora: trimmed, do not post copyrighted articles in their entirety
The payload maker & operator claims 100% success for their mission, despite the failure to reach the intended orbit. It seems to me that makes the Firefly Alpha FLTA004 mission success close to 100% also, because of the fortuitously relaxed needs of the customer.
The payload maker & operator claims 100% success for their mission, despite the failure to reach the intended orbit. It seems to me that makes the Firefly Alpha FLTA004 mission success close to 100% also, because of the fortuitously relaxed needs of the customer.Of course, we also hope Firefly will be able sort out the second stage problem so that a normal customer mission can be fully satisfied.
Our dedicated team has completed the flight data review for Alpha FLTA004 and determined root cause after Alpha’s second stage did not achieve the target orbit for payload deployment. With corrective actions underway, Alpha will be ready to fly again in the coming months. Learn more here: https://fireflyspace.com/missions/fly-the-lightning/
…The investigation determined the mishap was due to an error in the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) software algorithm that prevented the system from sending the necessary pulse commands to the Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters ahead of the stage two engine relight.…… Firefly is now implementing corrections actions to ensure the GNC software issue is resolved, including process changes to detect and prevent similar issues in the future. Alpha will be ready to fly again in the coming months.
Software again - writing reliable code is hard.So my question is, were the RCS commands supposed to perform propellant settling, and the engine didn’t fire, or was it supposed to set/stabilize attitude, meaning engine fire was in the wrong direction?
just adding a comment to the above posthttps://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1759954805584203955QuoteSoftware again - writing reliable code is hard.So my question is, were the RCS commands supposed to perform propellant settling, and the engine didn’t fire, or was it supposed to set/stabilize attitude, meaning engine fire was in the wrong direction?
Retired software guy here and yes, reliable software can be hard. but it can be done. With the necessary time and money, of course. Mostly comes down to the company culture. I'm afraid.
