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Falcon 9: SES-9 commsat, stage landing (March 4)

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  • Falcon 9: SES-9 commsat, stage landing (March 4)

    Launcher: Falcon 9 FT (Full Thrust)
    Spaceport: SpaceX LC-40 KSC

    The Falcon 9 Full Thrust uses supercooled propellants; strengthened Octaweb engine bay, tank structure and landing legs; higher thrust on both stages and a larger upper stage tank for 33% greater performance. A beast.

    Date: February 24, 2016
    Backup: February 25, 2016
    Time: TBD

    Landing: ASDS Of Course I Still Love You drone ship
    Landing coordinates: 28° 16' 20" N, 73° 49' 5" W

    Payload: SES-9 commsat
    Type: Boeing 702HP
    Payload mass: 5,330 kg
    Orbit: Super-Synchronous GTO (high apogee)

    Webcasts:


    YouTube SpaceXChannel (Live Event appears day of launch)
    Livestream SpaceX

    SES has said that if this launcher lands intact they want to be SpaceX's first customer to re-fly on a Falcon 9, even if they have to do it uninsured. That could be SES-10 later this year. So much for the idea that reusability* customers will be hard to find.

    Scheduled for launch in 2016, SES-9 will be positioned at the orbital slot of 108.2° E and provide incremental as well as replacement capacity to the well established slot over Asia, where it will be co-located with the existing satellites. The satellite will expand SES's capability to provide DTH broadcasting and other communications services in Northeast Asia, South Asia & Indonesia, as well as maritime communications for vessels in the Indian Ocean.
    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 8 February 2016, 20:07.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

  • #2
    We have a launch window for SES-9

    1846-2023 Eastern, 2346-0123 UTC

    Because of the performance required for this launch, ASDS OCISLY will be on station but the odds of a successful landing are reduced.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

    Comment


    • #3
      Static fire test today, looking good for Wednesday's launch.

      ASDS Of Course I Still Love You has left Port Canaveral with 3 tender ships and is steaming due East to the landing zone.

      Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 22 February 2016, 20:49.
      Dr. Mordrid
      ----------------------------
      An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

      I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

      Comment


      • #4
        Streams

        The YouTube "Technical" stream only carries their LauncherNet, no talking heads. This a new feature.

        SpaceX YouTube (Full webcast): http://youtu.be/Ml1RO4IcOG0

        SpaceX YouTube (Technical): http://youtu.be/6HSb_yBnJXA

        Live stream prime: http://livestream.com/spacex/events/4862005

        SpaceX site (Livestream mirror): http://www.spacex.com/webcast
        Dr. Mordrid
        ----------------------------
        An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

        I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

        Comment


        • #5
          @SpaceX
          Weather remains 60% go for tomorrow's launch attempt. Window opens at 6:46pm ET. Webcast → https://t.co/tdni53IviI https://t.co/nPgm32vwA9
          Dr. Mordrid
          ----------------------------
          An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

          I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

          Comment


          • #6
            Postponed till Thursday.

            Comment


            • #7
              Scrubbed. Better weather tomorrow.

              "Team opting to hold launch for today. Looking to try again tomorrow; window also opens at 6:46pm ET. Rocket and spacecraft remain healthy."
              Dr. Mordrid
              ----------------------------
              An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

              I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

              Comment


              • #8
                Reason,

                Launch update

                The Falcon 9 remains healthy in advance of SpaceX and SES’s mission to deliver the SES-9 satellite to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. Out of an abundance of caution, the team opted to hold launch for today to ensure liquid oxygen temperatures are as cold as possible in an effort to maximize performance of the vehicle. SpaceX is now targeting tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 25, at 6:46pm ET for launch of SES-9.
                Dr. Mordrid
                ----------------------------
                An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                Comment


                • #9
                  The 45th Space Wing says the weather is now 95%, with the sole concern being winds.
                  Dr. Mordrid
                  ----------------------------
                  An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                  I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    @SpaceX
                    Weather for today's launch attempt at 80% go, though upper level winds and ground level winds remain watch items. https://t.co/PM0vnDGuq3
                    Dr. Mordrid
                    ----------------------------
                    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      @SpaceX
                      One hour away from our live webcast at 6:25pm ET.
                      Launch targeting 6:47pm ET → https://t.co/tdni53IviI https://t.co/Bqc10Frlx9
                      Dr. Mordrid
                      ----------------------------
                      An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                      I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Scrubbed again for LOX loading issue.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          15 sec behind schedule. This isn't an issue at the Texas test site, so there's a GSE plumbing gremlin to chase down.
                          Dr. Mordrid
                          ----------------------------
                          An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                          I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            SpaceX ✔ ‎@SpaceX
                            Tracking towards a 6:46pm ET launch attempt today; watching upper-level winds closely

                            Full Webcast:
                            Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


                            Technical Webcast (no talking heads):
                            Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


                            The ASDS landing attempt is low odds due to the high payload mass and supersynchronous trajectory, meaning F9 is going to stage going nearly 2x as fast (~9,000 m/s) as the ORBCOMM launch and come in hot. Because of this the landing burn will use 3 engines instead of one for a high-G brass balls landing.
                            Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 28 February 2016, 13:32.
                            Dr. Mordrid
                            ----------------------------
                            An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                            I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The boat was a tanker that violated the exclusion zone.

                              Elon Musk ✔ ‎@elonmusk
                              @SpaceX Launch aborted on low thrust alarm. Rising oxygen temps due to hold for boat and helium bubble triggered alarm.
                              Dr. Mordrid
                              ----------------------------
                              An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                              I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                              Comment

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