Falcon 9: Intelsat-35e Epic-NG commsat


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Another Big Bird expendable. Eventually, Falcon Heavy will absorb these and be recoverable.

 

Core: 1037
Static fire: June 29 (Thursday)
Launch date: TBD (NET July 1)
Launch time: 1935 EDT (2335 UT) 
Stage recovery: NO

 

Note: above date pending pad shakedown after Bulgariasat-1

 

Satellite: Intelsat-35e


Destination: GTO
Slot: 325.5ºE
Satellite bus: Boeing-702MP EpicNG (HTS: high throughput satellite)
Bands: C-band (43 spots), Ku-band (39 transponders)
Propulsion: chemical
Coverage: Americas, Africa and Europe
Mass: 6,000+ kg

 

It's a really capable satellite, taking over for the retiring Intelsat 903. The latter also covered parts of the Middle East but with fewer spots (44 C, 12 Ku) and far less throughout.

 

36540b26d1384f1af2988640f38273b2.jpg


 

Edited by DocM
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Ahhhh ... gonna be a good one. Maybe we'll see a repeat of the Inmarsat-5 launch characteristics? Block-4 ish Mode? :D We had a ton of discussion on that one. Watch SpaceX attempt some playful shenanigans with this one. If we see the landing legs then we'll know that SpaceX isn't just gonna accept "unrecoverable" laying down. :yes: 

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There's no confirmed date yet. The range approval has been waiting for the 39A post-launch pad shakedown, and this usually happens on Monday after a weekend launch. That out of the way, and the Range Gods smiling, we should see a range approved date soon.

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Since they are doing static fires without the payload on top, would it be possible for them to do the SF on the F9 then just wait for the payload to arrive? 

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Its not that simple. Here's most of the flow,

 

Most all payloads arrive about 30 days before launch for extensive processing; initial ground tests, loading the (usually hypergolic) propellants, attaching the payload mount, testing that fit and the connections, and encapsulating the payload in the fairing. That done, it has to be very slowly tractored to the clean room at the back of the hangar for final tests. Then comes the rotation to horizontal and attaching to S2 using a special crane.

 

That said, LC-39A's hangar can prepare 3 F9's at once and store 2 more.  Or prepare one FH and 2 stored.

 

Once a rocket is in the center position for its static fire and launch the others wait. No burger flipping because putting an F9 on the Transporter Erector is a BIG ASS JOB.

Edited by DocM
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And if, IF SpaceX's operations get expanded (which is gonna be a "probably" -- we'll know more in the next year) then a much larger SpaceX HIF building will be constructed and they'll begin building more TEL's, etc. Then we'll see SpaceX launching once a week, maybe even twice, as the manifest requires and/or as supplies allow. :yes: 

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We'll need to watch the flight profile very carefully ... I'm willing to bet that Inmarsat-5's thrust curve will be in play again on this one. :yes:(Y) 

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Yup....they'll likely crank the Merlins up to 120%. Shotwell said on The Space Show they've tested them at 240,000 lbf (126.3%.)

Edited by DocM
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Now we're talking ... :D:yes:(Y) ... the boffins are gonna have to restate FH's performance numbers again. Heh.

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Ran it through my calculator -- at the figure specified above, the new T:W/R stands at 233:1 (since it's been tested at that thrust level, it counts). The most efficient RP-1 engine gets even MORE efficient, up from 180:1. 

 

Just gets better and better. SpaceX constantly improving an already good design. :yes: 

 

(Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_(rocket_engine_family)#Merlin_1D, paragraph 6.)

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My calculations are showing it can haul 28.75 mT of whatever to LEO at the "kitchen sink" throttle setting ... Fully expendable mode, of course. Not gonna get that one back. It's outclassing the Space Shuttle (27.5 mT maximum) AND the Delta-IV Heavy (25.98 mT) now. And this is before the Block-4 and Block-5 S1's arrive.

 

(Citations: Space Shuttle, specifications | Delta-IV Heavy + RS-68A Upgrade

 

SpaceX has done it -- queue the anthem. :D:yes: 

 

(Video Link) Queen - We Are The Champions

 

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And please note, everyone, that these numbers are likely not going to actually be put to the test by SpaceX -- ever:laugh::rofl: They're never, ever gonna use the "kitchen sink" throttle setting.

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