DocM Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) 14 days and once more unto the breach, dear friends. Formosat 5 Type: hi-res Earth observation satellite Owner: National Space Organization (NSPO), Taiwan Falcon 9 core: 1038 Launch pad: Vandenberg SLC-4E Launch date: August 24 Launch time: 1150-1234 PDT, 1450-1534 EDT, 1850-1934 UTC Stage landing: ASDS Just Read the Instructions Orbit: 720 km sun synchronous Inclination: 98.28° Mass: 475 kg (1,047 lb) Mission life: 5+ years Quote FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil Falcon 9 scheduled to launch VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch the FORMOSAT-5 satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here Thursday, Aug. 24, between 11:50 a.m. and 12:34 p.m. PDT. Col. Gregory E. Wood , 30th Space Wing vice commander, will be the launch safety authority. "We are proud to provide a safe and secure launch location for our mission partners," said Wood. "This mission is the practical demonstration of the professional spirit and teamwork found in the everyday operations of Team Vandenberg and SpaceX." For questions about the booster please contact John Taylor, SpaceX communications director The local community can view this launch from the Hawk's Nest on Hwy 1 south of Vandenberg Air Force Base's main gate. Gate opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 11:40 a.m. As a reminder the public is asked not to bring or consume alcohol, smoke, nor have any open fires or barbeques. Weapons are not allowed, additionally, the use of small unmanned aerial systems within five miles of any active runway is prohibited. - 30 - Unobscured Vision and Emn1ty 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingskippy Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 This F9 is going to jump off the pad with only a 1,000lb payload! DocM and Unobscured Vision 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthdci Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 4 hours ago, flyingskippy said: This F9 is going to jump off the pad with only a 1,000lb payload! that's what I was thinking, could this not have been doubled up with another sat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+John. Subscriber¹ Posted August 16, 2017 Subscriber¹ Share Posted August 16, 2017 5 hours ago, flyingskippy said: This F9 is going to jump off the pad with only a 1,000lb payload! Might as well just launch it on the S1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthdci Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 2 hours ago, John. said: Might as well just launch it on the S2 fixed Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobscured Vision Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 A payload this light could have been launched on the Falcon 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 10 hours ago, anthdci said: that's what I was thinking, could this not have been doubled up with another sat? We don't know if there are secondaries, but F9 has launched dual commsats to GTO twice - both were matched pairs of Boeing 702SP's. Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 1000lbs? I've got a slingshot around somewhere... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 It was to be a Falcon 1e payload for 2014/15, but it was delayed long enough for F1e to be cancelled. Result: NSPO got their "seat" upgraded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 (edited) Weather: 90% Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobscured Vision Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 (edited) Wonder what a Merlin-D (say, a Block 5) would do for its' performance numbers ... Personally, I think it would give a new meaning to the word "overkill". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Like squirrel hunting with a .50 Barrett. BANG, POOF, a cloud of fur Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bguy_1986 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Are they still working on a landing pad for Vandenberg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 (edited) The pad is pretty much done save for paint. The issue is getting environmentalists calmed down over the marine refuge offshore. Perfect mission! Highlight reel Unobscured Vision and Jim K 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 @elonmusk Falcon 9 boost stage on droneship Just Read the Instructions https://t.co/fZTPmwsnOz > Touchdown: Vertical Velocity (m/s): -1.47 Lateral Velocity (m/s): -0.15 Tilt (deg): 0.40 Lateral position: 0.7m from target center > Max velocity: Mach 6.9 Max altitude: 247 km Highest so far, but velocity matters much more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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