Falcon 9: Echostar 23 (mission thread)

[DocM]

NSF report, supplemented

 

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/spacex-prepares-upcoming-falcon-9-amos-6/

 

Satellite bus: Space Systems/Loral SSL-1300
Band: Ku
Mass: ???? (up to 6,700 kg)
Position: 45°
Coverage: Brazil
Estimated life: 15 years

 

Launch pad: LC-39A
Launch date,: TBD
Launch T-0: 2330 Eastern (estimated)

 

 

[Blue-Vision]

Oooh, a heavy bird, eh? Good one for Falcon-9 to push uphill.  I assume this will not be an ASDS landing?

[DocM]

Dunno. If it is that makes a helluva statement.

[Blue-Vision]

They might try for it anyway. Another "hot landing" with hoverslam just to prove that they can.  

[DocM]

The Echostar-23 S1 and S2 are on the test stands at McGregor, and likely batting #2 behind Iridium NEXT #1.

[DocM]

NET January 8 or January 9, evening launch because it's to geo.

 

Iridium NEXT #1 will go first from Vandenberg.

[DocM]

Peek a Boo

 

 

[FloatingFatMan]

^ Content unavailable...

[DocM]

24 minutes ago, FloatingFatMan said:

^ Content unavailable...

Must have been made private. Anyhow, the first stage is on the road.

[DocM]

NSF reprtss,

 

Moved to NET January 15 at 23:50 Local (Eastern)

Iridium NEXT still first.

Pending FAA finalizing the AMOS-6 report review.

[anthdci]

looks like they'll be launching a lot in a short space of time to ease the backlog then.

[DocM]

CRS-10 can't fly until Jan 22 as it's berthing at Harmony nadir, which until Jan 20 is housing HTV-6. February 2 another Progress arrives and they'll be busy with that, so mid February maybe. 

 

That said, there's plenty to do from Vandenberg. It looks like they picked up an 8th Iridium NEXT launch since Russia killed the Dnepr launcher which was to fly that flock.

[Draggendrop Veteran]

Hopefully we will hear about fit checks this week at 39A...

 

The last NET that I have seen for this launch, is the 26th of January...which I assume will change due to the setup for first launch from 39A and whatever gremlins appear.....

 

I require another quick launch to "get my  fix"....

[Draggendrop Veteran]

A rumor...not verified, has a possible static fire on Saturday.....KSC employee conversation...still rumor...

 

[DocM]

That came from a KSC'er who got it from someone working on LC-39B. Those folks would need to bug out for an LC-39A static fire, so it could be credible. 

 

Let's get a run 'n gun started 

 

[Blue-Vision]

There still could be gremlins, a lot of work has been done there. And remember they're using a pad below the "classic 39-A", and there's been a hell of a lot of retro fitting to make it work. There's technically two pads there now, a smaller one for Falcon 9 and FH and then the big one a couple hundred feet or so away up on the "Main Pad" (where the Shuttles and Apollo/Saturn would launch from). A lot to check out and declare fit for purpose, and the chances of launching on the penciled-in date aren't completely certain yet. ITS will use the big pad, when it's ready to be used and when Dragon 2 is ready to fly.

[Draggendrop Veteran]

 

 

[Blue-Vision]

Okay, this picture gives the layout better. The new digs are right on the old pad. Heh. I stand corrected. I thought there were two pads, one alongside the old 39-A.

 

[EDIT] Holy crap they're close to the pad. Are they too close for ITS to launch from there? 

[DocM]

Nope, and it's further than it looks due to foreshortening. The hangar at LC-40 was unscathed by the AMOS-6 conflagration.

Edited January 19, 2017 by DocM

[DocM]

Another point,

 

Placing an x*1 larger rocket at the pad does not mean a proportional increase in overpressure at the target in question.

 

ISTM,

 

The propogation of a detonation is spherical, which spreads the energy out. Point or spherical charge detonation propogates by the cube root of the distance, which also applies to linear or cylindrical charges at a long distance (which reduces their angular size to more point-like.) Closer to a linear/cylindrical charge you'd apply the square root of the distance.

 

The propogated energy for a rocket will be less because it's a conflagration, not a detonation. The pressure wave has a longer rise time and duration, which minimizes the effect. The only detonation involved would be a linear shaped charge used as a Flight Termination System - to open the tanks.

 

Net: a large rocket like ITS may release the energy of a 3-5 kiloton tactical nuke, but at 3-4 miles the pressure wave may only break windows and rattle nerves.

Edited January 19, 2017 by DocM

[Blue-Vision]

I was thinking more of the acoustic energy being generated by ITS at t+3~12, when those energies will be at their maximums upon anything in the immediate vicinity.

[DocM]

More & bigger rainbirds, maybe a semicircular berm between the pad and civilization.

[DocM]

Media Contact:
John Taylor
[email protected]
310.363.6703

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – Jan. 19, 2017. Media accreditation is now open for SpaceX’s first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for no earlier than Jan. 30.  Pre-launch media activities are currently targeted for no earlier than Jan. 29.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deliver a commercial satellite to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Members of the media who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens (green card holders) and interested in covering the launch must fill out the media accreditation request form by 5:00 p.m. EST, on Monday, Jan. 23.

Requesting accreditation is not required of media who hold current annual press credentials issued by Kennedy Space Center, but it is appreciated for planning purposes.

For launches from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center decides which media are credentialed to cover launches, not SpaceX. Please keep in mind, simply making the request in a timely fashion does not guarantee the request will be granted. Please be sure to provide all the information included on the SpaceX form. SpaceX typically obtains confirmation that these requests are approved about 48 hours prior to launch.

More details on the mission, the customer and pre-launch activities will be made available at a later date closer to launch.

[Draggendrop Veteran]

I will feel a lot better with a good static fire to signal that "most" gremlins  have been spotted.

 

[DocM]

George ‏@gdoehne
@elonmusk Next SpaceX flight (Echostar) has v heavy GTO payload (5500kg)
Will Falcon fly expendable, or try low-margin droneship landing?

Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk
@gdoehne Expendable. Future flights will go on Falcon Heavy or the upgraded Falcon 9.

George ‏@gdoehne
@elonmusk When you say upgraded Falcon 9 are you referring to the Block 5 you mentioned here? Timing fits.

Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk
Yes. Block 5 is the final upgrade of the Falcon architecture. Significantly improves performance & ease of reusability. Flies end of year.

 

Once Block 5 R&D is done ITS becomes the focus. Production in the Seattle area, Hawthorne, and somewhere(s) along the Gulf of Mexico.