DocM Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 NOAA's DSCOVR (Deep Space Climate Observatory) just left for KSC yesterday. It's due to be launched to the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point in January by F9, a Beyond Earth Orbit (BEO) mission. S-E L1 is about 1.5 million km out between the Earth and Sun, a solar orbit whose period equals that of Earth because of Earths gravitational influence. Being closer to the Sun it would normally orbit faster and not be in synch with Earth. Originally conceived as "GoreSat"/Triana, just a cam showing Earths lit side for PR (Al Gore's bright idea), it's since been evolved to serve as a replacement for the Advanced Composition Explorer mission (ACE) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Composition_Explorer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 21, 2014 Author Share Posted November 21, 2014 Launch date: NET Jan. 23 Launch window: TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 Bump Launch NET January 29, though it may slip a few days. Confirmed that this F9 will have legs, making it very likely there'll be another ASDS landing attempt. This F9 will have 50% more hydraulic fluid, so no grid fins running dry. Based on today's Bloomberg interview with Musk, the CRS-5 F9 grid fin hydraulics ran dry almost a minute before it reached ASDS, making its accuracy even more impressive. Its avionics package apparently did it using only gas thrusters and engine gimballing. Unobscured Vision and watkinsx2 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherITguy Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Bear this in mind: the guy in charge of Falcon 9's landing systems came from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL.) After arriving at SpaceX he co-developed with JPL NASA's next-generation Mars entry, descent and landing (EDL) system for future landers & rovers. It increases accuracy and is smart enough to select alternate landing sites. In short: they have a ringer, who'll also be handy when it's time to go to Mars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 DSCOVR's F9 first stage has arrived at KSC. Legs and grid fins will be attached in the hangar. +John. 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+John. Subscriber¹ Posted January 15, 2015 Subscriber¹ Share Posted January 15, 2015 DocM absolutely loving the SpaceX updates. Keep up the good work! SALSN, Unobscured Vision and bguy_1986 3 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarK0Y Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Bear this in mind: the guy in charge of Falcon 9's landing systems came from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL.) After arriving at SpaceX he co-developed with JPL NASA's next-generation Mars entry, descent and landing (EDL) system for future landers & rovers. It increases accuracy and is smart enough to select alternate landing sites. In short: they have a ringer, who'll also be handy when it's time to go to Mars. really not good idea to compare Mars landing against Earth one by the way, what about video of last attempt to land??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 As expected DSCOVR slipped 2 days, Launch: NET January 31, 2015 Time: looking like ~1830 Local (Eastern) Launch will be in the dark, but F9 will likely enter sunlight on the way up. Should look spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 And another week slip. Still on a weekend though. Marcia Smith ?@SpcPlcyOnline NOAA confirms DSCOVR launch date slip to Feb. 8 at 6:10 PM EST. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+John. Subscriber¹ Posted January 20, 2015 Subscriber¹ Share Posted January 20, 2015 Might actually be able to watch this one then, fingers crossed for no further delays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 F9 static fire attempt today. January 30, 2015 NASA TV Coverage Set for NOAA DSCOVR Launch Feb. 8 The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is scheduled to launch at 6:10 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 8 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. A backup launch opportunity is available at 6:07 p.m. on Feb. 9, if needed. NASA Television coverage of the launch will begin at 3:30 p.m. In addition to launch coverage, NASA TV also will air a prelaunch news conference at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. DSCOVR is a partnership between NOAA, NASA and the U.S. Air Force and will maintain the nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torolol Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR)why its has the 'VR' and not just The DSCO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 I gave up trying to understand the NASA acronym factory a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpc3939 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'd say that's obvious. It's not just an acronym, they also consider the connotations the abbreviation gives you. The most most obvious connotation of "DSCO" is "Disco", while "DSCOVR" makes "Discover". I'm pretty sure NASA prefers to be associated with an act of exploration, than a leisure activity. /JPC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 Static fire completed. Waiting for data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZMINATOR Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 why its has the 'VR' and not just The DSCO? DSCOVR = Deep Space Climate Observatory It also can be mean DISCOVERY If they meant that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 Reminders, The DSCOVR launch is Sunday Feb 8 at launch at 1810 EST. The backup opportunity is Feb. 9 at 1807 EST. The static fire test was completed today. Waiting for data. The ASDS Just Read the Instructions location will be 31 bguy_1986 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 DSCOVR encapsulated, joined to Falcon 9. SALSN 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Man, that is an absurdly tiny sat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 ASDS position conditions: Wind: 10-20 km/h Wave: 1 meter If they hold it's looking good for a stage landing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 <10% chance of a weather violation for Sunday's launch. Looking good. ASDS Just Read the Instructions, Elsbeth III etc. are underway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 Just Read the Instructions, Elsbeth III and the other tender have left port for the stage landing zone. Only 1-2 meter seas. All Launch reviews completed, the SpaceX & NASA mission controls are prepping and the weather is 90% GO or better. Launch viewing, NASA TV (Chromecast by casting screen) http://mobile.nasa.gov/content/watch-nasa-tv/ SpaceX Webcasts SpaceX website http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ LiveStream.SpaceX Channel https://new.livestream.com/spacex Youtube SpaceX Channel (Events appear day of launch) https://youtube.com/user/spacexchannel KSC live viewing locations, tickets etc. https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events/2015/february/launch-falcon9-dscovr.aspx SALSN 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 From presser just now: - The ASDS & support ships have arrived on location. - There will be a higher stage1 velocity due to the L1 flight profile, so reduced chance of landing succes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 Yup - its a beyond Earth orbit launch so it'll be a Sandy Koufax fastball right down the middle on a 3-2 count. You either hit a home run it's a strikeout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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