DocM Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 The next Falcon 9 launch is SES-8, SpaceX's first launch of a large geostationary communications satellite. SES-8 is currently scheduled for NET (no earlier than) October 23. That's only 3 weeks and 2 days out, though it may slip a bit. SES-8 info http://www.orbital.com/SatellitesSpace/Communications/SES-8/ SES-8, a hybrid Ku- and Ka-band spacecraft, is the sixth STAR? satellite ordered by SES WORLD SKIES. The satellite is based on Orbital?s Enhanced STAR 2.4 bus, and will carry 24 active Ku-band transponders of 36 or 54 Mhz capacity switchable among 33 channels and two beams. Certain channels in each beam are cross-strapped to multiple frequency bands, enabling flexibility for new services. In the addition, the spacecraft features a Ka-band payload. The spacecraft will generate approximately five kilowatts of payload power and will feature two 2.5 x 2.7 meter super elliptical deployable reflectors and a 1.45 meter fixed, nadir antenna. Performance: Repeater: 24 active transponders with one group of 18-for-15 and one group of 12-for-9 TWTAs TWTA Power: 120 W RF Antennas: Two 2.5 x 2.7 m single shell super-elliptical deployable reflectors and one 1.45 m single shell fixed reflector Stabilization: 3-axis stabilized Launch Mass: 3,200 kg (7,055 lb.) Mission Life: 15 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 SES-8 Falcon 9 v1.1 SLC-40 NET: Nov 1 2013, Launch window: 2228-2332 GMT (6:28-7:32 p.m. EDT) Perigee : 295 km Apogee :80,650 km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geertd Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 question for you doc will the shutdown of your governement have any effect on the launch of this mission ? and of further mission for SPACEX and or other launch providers ? Peter B. de Selding ?@pbdes14m SES: We'll wait for SpaceX details on non-reignition of Falcon 9 upper stage before shipping SES-8. Anyway Cape closed w/ govt shutdown... Geretweet door Jeff Foust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Dunno. Pete de Selding is doing a Space News story on the ramifications for NASA etc. so he's probably going to be the best source short term. I can tell you that Sierra Nevada is locked out of NASA Dryden and therefore Dream Chaser's hangar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Here is part of de Selding's SES-8 atticle- http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37513as-next-customer-on-falcon-9-manifest-ses-awaits-details-on-sept-29 > The shutdown of the U.S. government has rendered moot the date of SES-8?s launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Feltes said no new launches are moving forward during the shutdown. SES-8?s manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., is weighing whether to send the satellite to Florida aboard a truck once SES has authorized its shipment to the spaceport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geertd Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 thanks Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 There's apparently more to this. It could be that shutdown will effect NASA projects like commercial crew (thus the Dream Chaser lockout) but the SpaceX commercial missions are NOT for NASA - they deal directly with the US Air Force who occupies and runs the range. The funding rules are different for the military since it is constitutionally mandated. I say this because there are comments from.involved boat ties that the SES-8 spacecraft could ship to the Cape soon. Very much developing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Well, this is interesting. Contrary to implications in the Space News report the SES-8 satellite HAS BEEN SHIPPED from Orbital Sciences to SpaceX's LC-40 pad. This shipping could only occur if SES gave the go-ahead, which implies confidence in a launch date from the range. Checking the statements by the 45th Space Wing and Patrick AFB they are closing only a few services (commissary, library and donated goods center for airmen), only limiting hours at others. They plan to stay in business as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 It's in the news now as well that SES gave a green light to have SES-8 shipped to the Cape on October 2nd! PARIS ? Satellite fleet operator SES has authorized the shipment of its SES-8 satellite to Florida to prepare for the first fully commercial launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket despite the ongoing concerns of insurance officials that the Falcon 9 v1.1?s Sept. 29 demonstration flight did not meet the stated objectives. http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37547spacex-customer-ships-satellite-despite-insurers%E2%80%99-ongoing-concerns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Yup, and the F9 for Thaicom-6 is getting ready to ship. No lack of space - SpaceX has taken over a Delta II hangar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 F9-08 (Thaicom-6) first stage has left the building and is headed to McGregor for engine tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 We now have a launch window - Falcon 9 / SES 8: November 1, 2013 Launch window: 2228-2332 GMT (6:28-7:32 p.m. EDT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Hmm, that might be watchable for me... DST change comming up should push this to before midnight for me :) Also, DocM. Could you please tell more about that Delta II hangar? Is it close to their launch complex? Will they ship approved stages there or also payloads? Etc :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 SpaceX took over Hangar AO at KSC in 2011 and put almost $8 million in refitting and upgrading it. Most recently it was used for the Delta II, but it's also where the Voyagers were prepped. AO is large enough to process 2 Falcon 9's simultaneously, so with their main hangar at Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) they can now process 3 vehicles at a time. This is necessary in order to increase their launch rate. In addition to Hangar AO and LC-40 they are also bidding for a long term lease of the giant pad at LC-39A and access to the Vehicle Assembly Building, both previously used for the Saturn V and Space Shuttle. This is adjacent to LC-39B, the Space Launch System pad. LC-39A would be used for Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Falcon 9 / DragonRider (crew) and a future methane fueled SuperHeavy class launcher. Imagine a rocket more powerful than Saturn V with a half mile long blue flame. They are also close to announcing a new private spaceport and large factory in Brownsville Texas at Boca Chica beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Sweet, didn't know about that hanger before. Tnx :) Did know about the Pad 39A & Brownsville developments. To bad that the shutdown is now going to even further drag that GAO ruling on BO's protest :( About Brownsville, I had hoped SpaceX would have made it final already... but I guess they are waiting for the final version of the EIS by the FAA before announcing. Do they own enough plots of land yet to develop all desired structures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 The beach pad and processing areas are pretty much set. The area where they want to build their offices, launch control etc. is being bought up as properties come to market. They have most.of what they need. The properties are being bought by a shell company called Dogleg Park. A dogleg is a turn rockets make to change their payloads orbital inclination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 SpaceXer Padrat posted this pic of SES-8 (built by Orbital Sciences for SES) arriving at LC-40. Orbital also builds the Antates launcher and Cygnus ISS ferry. If you look image right you can see the SpaceX LOX tank and the new integration bay at the back of their hangar. The fairing decals and patch for this flight will probably end up as NewSpace icons :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share Posted October 11, 2013 SES-8: NET November 12 (change for 2nd stage work) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Launch window: 2228-2332 GMT (6:28-7:32 p.m. EDT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Bunch of Flikr pics taken in the last few days at McGregor showing the SES-8 first stage, Grasshopper 1, and some of the facilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Falcon9 / SES-8 now supposedly NET 22nd of November!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 A combination of pad updates and making sure they have the upper stage reignition issue nailed down. Looking good on the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 SES-8 second stage is at KSC and the restart fix is being implemented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I noticed here that the NET date for Falcon9/SES-8 moved to the 25th! This confirmed and what would the reason be? Spaceflightnow.com's schedule doesn't show this change! http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/11/12/busy-launch-schedule-rest-2013/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 More pad work and upcoming MAVEN launch (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft) on the 18th. Takes a few days to reset the range and MAVEN is launching from LC-41, right next door to SpaceX. F9, SES-8 etc. are ready to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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