Space Stuff and Launch Info

AI Thread Summary
The discussion highlights the ongoing advancements and events in the aerospace sector, including the upcoming SpaceX Dragon launch and its significance for cargo delivery to the ISS. Participants share links to various articles detailing recent missions, such as NASA's Juno spacecraft studying Jupiter's Great Red Spot and the ExoMars mission's progress. There is also a focus on the collaboration between government and private sectors in space exploration, emphasizing the potential for technological advancements. Additionally, the conversation touches on intriguing phenomena like the WorldView-2 satellite's debris event and the implications of quantum communication technology demonstrated by China's Quantum Science Satellite. Overall, the thread serves as a hub for sharing and discussing significant aerospace developments.
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #253
This should be very interesting, I'm curious about the telemetry and what effect the radiation is going to have on it.
http://solarprobe.jhuapl.edu/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddar...n-to-honor-pioneering-physicist-eugene-parker
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/31/us/nasa-sun-mission/index.html
"(CNN)Wearing a nearly 5-inch thick coat of carbon-composite solar shields, NASA's Solar Probe Plus will explore the sun's atmosphere in a mission that begins in the summer of 2018."
 
Last edited:
  • #254
Here is a good example of aerospace engineering at its finest, definitely a "one of a kind" Aircraft.
http://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-rolls-out-giant-aircraft/
"The Stratolaunch aircraft is the largest in the world by wingspan, measuring more than 117 meters from tip to tip. The plane weighs 226,800 kilograms empty, and 50 percent more when fully fueled. It can accommodate payloads weighing nearly 250,000 kilograms, attached to the wing segment between the twin fuselages. - See more at: http://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-rolls-out-giant-aircraft/#sthash.VehuLlpr.dpuf"
 
  • #255
Still a 60% chance of launch for CRS-11 today, This ones a first for the reused Dragon, also the NICER will make a great addition to the ISS.

I can't seem to find a link for the technical webcast, that may be because NASA tv is also covering the launch.
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public
 
  • #256
SpaceX merged both webcasts to one. Edit: There is still a separate webcast, see below.
In terms of launch time and trajectory, large parts of Europe have a good chance to see both Dragon and the second stage. I made a thread. The weather, on the other hand, ... cloudy nearly everywhere.
 
Last edited:
  • #257
mfb said:
SpaceX merged both webcasts to one.
That is a shame, I thought the technical webcast was much better than the hosted. NASA is devoting considerable time on their site but seem to be spreading it out over several hours. Curious how their launch coverage will differ from the youtube webcast.
mfb said:
. I made a thread.
I have been watching it, very cool idea, I've often wondered what it would look like or if it would even be visible from Europe. On Sunday evening I get a very good 5 minute pass and I'll watch to see if Dragon is visible as it goes over.
 
  • #260
  • #261
:ok: Nice landing. they are making that part look easy
 
  • #262
Yeah, landing is getting routine.
In a year reflights will get routine.
 
  • #263
mfb said:
Yeah, landing is getting routine.
In a year reflights will get routine.
True enough, hope it doesn't get to the point that routine leads do extra risk. Any word on visibility from Europe?
 
  • #264
Had a thick cloud cover, I didn't even try to see anything.
Routine should lead to a lower risk.

Upcoming spaceflight stuff:

India will have the maiden flight of a bigger rocket on Monday, 4 ton payload to GTO, about half the Falcon 9 payload.

Next Falcon 9 flight: June 15, a booster recycled from the January launch.
 
  • #265
It appears that SpaceX is serious about the "competition is good for business" thing.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/07/technology/future/spacex-air-force-launch-contract/index.html
"SpaceX has won an Air Force contract to launch a secretive, unmanned X-37B space plane later this year. The upstart rocket outfit edged out United Launch Alliance -- a joint venture between Boeing (BA) and Lockheed Martin (LMT) -- that until recently had a monopoly on United States military launches."
 
  • #266
The Dragon capsule was the ~12th spacecraft to go to space more than once, and the 8th to reach orbit more than once (after five Space Shuttle orbiters and two X-37B).
NASA considers Dragon missions with a used booster as well. And we can probably see reused payload fairings soon. Then just the second stage is missing. We'll see what they try with the FH maiden flight.

1oldman2 said:
It appears that SpaceX is serious about the "competition is good for business" thing.
Especially if they get the contract.

They seem to collect US government agencies. NASA (as Dragon customer), NOAA (DSCOVR), NRO (weird ISS-approaching military satellite), Air Force (X-37B, later GPS satellites), what is next?
 
  • #267
mfb said:
We'll see what they try with the FH maiden flight.
I can't wait for that one, last I had heard they didn't even have a payload selected. (That would launch a lot of cheese wheels :wink:)
mfb said:
Especially if they get the contract.
I believe it's a "Done deal"
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/...acex-to-launch-next-x-37b-spaceplane-mission/
mfb said:
They seem to collect US government agencies. NASA (as Dragon customer), NOAA (DSCOVR), NRO (weird ISS-approaching military satellite), Air Force (X-37B, later GPS satellites), what is next?
Now that's interesting o_O
 
  • #268
They have the X-37B contract. That's not what I meant.
SpaceX loves competition if that means they get the contract. I'm not sure how happy they are if others get contracts they wanted to get.SpaceX said they try to do something recovery-like with the second stage for the FH maiden flight. I don't expect a full recovery, but if they don't plan at least surviving atmospheric entry I don't understand the announcement.
 
  • #270
SpaceX is preparing to launch the second reused booster. Static fire is scheduled for tomorrow, the launch window is Saturday 18:10-20:10 UTC (4 days, 4-6 hours and 20 minutes after this post).
 
  • #271
  • #272
1oldman2 said:
https://phys.org/news/2017-06-opini...e=menu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=item-menu
How to spot that the article was written by someone from the US:
The USSR's Mars 2 orbited Mars for three months in 1971 but its lander module crashed onto the planet. The lander of the Mars 3 mission also failed.

NASA's Viking 1 performed the first successful landing on Mars, on July 20, 1976, followed by Viking 2 on September 3, 1976.
Mars 3 did achieve a soft landing and sent data for 15 seconds (including a very grainy picture) - more than 4 years before Viking 1.

There are indications that SpaceX wants to downscale ITS to make it (a) cheaper and (b) more interesting for satellite launches as funding source. Musk promised an update "soon".
 
  • #275
They have to repair a valve, the next launch opportunity is the 23rd.
The weather forecast for the next two days was bad anyway.

This could also delay the Iridium satellite launch from Vandenberg, currently scheduled for the 25th.
 
  • #276
mfb said:
They have to repair a valve, the next launch opportunity is the 23rd.
The weather forecast for the next two days was bad anyway.
Rocket science seems to require a lot of patience, maybe a "double header" launch next weekend will make up for the wait.
 
  • #277
I'm not sure if they can do that. We'll see, if the Iridium launch is delayed they will probably announce a new date in 1-2 days.
 
  • #278
mfb said:
I'm not sure if they can do that.
The story I linked in #274 gives it even odds on either launch, (for what that's worth) If SpaceX pulls off the double launch it's going to be a great PR Coup after the recent re-use success.
"Plenty of hurdles will have to be cleared for next weekend’s double header to work out including the valve repair on the East Coast and the Static Fire at Vandenberg. Additional concern will be with Florida’s weather now that convective season has fully set in, bringing thunderstorms to the Space Coast almost on a daily basis. Current planning forecasts from for Cape Canaveral show similar chances of precipitation and lightning throughout the week and BulgariaSat will likely be looking at 50/50 odds of getting off the pad on either opportunity."
 
  • #279
It is understood that SpaceX can support major operations, e.g. launch attempts or Static Fire Tests that are one day apart but capabilities are not yet in place to support same-day launches from the East and West Coast.
Looks like the two teams are not completely independent.
 
  • #280
mfb said:
Looks like the two teams are not completely independent.
That has got to change soon, considering the planned launch schedule as well as the Texas site coming online soon (I notice SES is planning on two of their Satellites being launched from Boca Chica Beach). I would imagine that either the Hawthorne facilities is going to get a major expansion or will get an East coast counterpart before long.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/02/25/ses-reserves-two-falcon-9-launches-from-texas/
 
  • #281
They don't need static fires or launches on the same day - at least not with the current launch frequency. Launching their satellite constellation will need higher launch rates.

In Boca Chica they have a permission for 12 launches per year, and they have to launch in a very narrow (~2 degrees) angle to avoid going over Florida or one of the many islands south of it. Missions to geostationary orbit are probably the only things they can launch from there.
 
  • #283
90% chance of go for the weather today.

http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-static-fire-for-second-iridium-launch/
"Falcon 9 carrying the BulgariaSat-1 communications satellite is working toward liftoff on Friday during a two-hour window opening at 18:10 UTC, to be followed - if all goes according to plan - by the west coast Falcon 9 on Sunday with an instantaneous launch opportunity at 20:25 UTC to send the second batch of ten Iridium-NEXT communications satellites on their way to Low Earth Orbit."

Update, launch is rescheduled for 3:10 EST. today. :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #284
Falcon 9 will experience its highest ever reentry force and heat in today's launch. Good chance rocket booster doesn't make it back.
Tweeted by Musk

SES-10 was heavier, so I assume they go beyond GTO (a larger apogee, makes it easier for the satellite to circularize its orbit) or do some plane change for the satellite (to get closer to the equatorial plane).
 
  • #286
The first stage landed (again!) - unusually far away from the center, but well within the size of the possible landing area.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes mheslep, 1oldman2 and OmCheeto
  • #287
Good Show!:woot:
 
  • #289
They changed the grid fins (used for steering) to titanium. They expect them to be more durable, so they can be reused without refurbishment. They are also a bit larger to improve the steering.

It is the 9th launch this year, breaking the 2016 record of 8 launches per year. And we are not even halfway through the year.
 
  • #290
  • #291
1oldman2 said:
I count 19 more F-9's and a couple of Heavy launches to go in 2017
Don't expect the time estimates to be reliable. SpaceX doesn't maintain a launch schedule (just a manifest without dates), so all we have are (a) a few random tweets, (b) announcements by the satellite operators, (c) rarely official announcements by SpaceX, and (d) educated guesses.

An odd flight profile today. Launch for 10 minutes, then coast for 40 minutes, then fire the second stage again for ... 3 seconds. Enough to circularize the orbit, and it is more efficient than going up steeper to make that earlier.
 
  • #293
Happy National Asteroid Day.:partytime:
This pass, the Great Red Spot will be the star of the show.
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news...._campaign=NASAJPL&utm_content=daily20170630-4
"Telescopes in Hawaii have obtained new images of Jupiter and its Great Red Spot, which will assist the first-ever close-up study of the Great Red Spot, planned for July 10. On that date, NASA's Juno spacecraft will fly directly over the giant planet's most famous feature at an altitude of only about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers)."
 
  • #294
We have yet another SpaceX launch tomorrow - a heavy satellite to geostationary orbit, which means no attempt to recover the first stage. If it doesn't get delayed, it is the fourth SpaceX launch in 30 days (June 3, June 23, June 25, July 2) and the tenth this year.

Taiwan will launch their first satellite (Formosat-5) in August. The satellite was originally planned to be launched on a Falcon 1. Then Falcon 1 got cancelled, the mission was combined with several other satellites and planned for Falcon 9. Then the satellite was delayed a lot, the other satellites were removed, Falcon 9 was upgraded... now a rocket that can deliver 20,000 kg to orbit launches a satellite with a mass of just 475 kg. They cannot even let the booster return to launch site because they don't have the permission to land there on the West Coast yet. I guess they will do something to use this massive overcapacity. Test something related to second stage reuse, test some different flight profile for the first stage, or something like that.Japan plans to send humans to Moon by 2030. Let's see if that actually gets funding.LISA got approved as mission! Note even the downsized eLISA - what ESA builds is now close to the original LISA mission where NASA contributed notably.
 
  • #295
China has had a second "anomaly" in as many weeks.
http://spacenews.com/long-march-5-launch-fails/
"Chinese broadcaster CGTN reported that the Long March 5 "started to malfunction shortly after take-off." Observers watching in-flight video of the launch noticed a plume of gas late in the first stage burn, suggesting a problem with one or both of the engines in the core stage."

Going live in Five hours from post time,(7:36 p.m. EDT, or 23:36 UTC.)

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/29/falcon-9-intelsat-35e-launch-
"SCRUB. The SpaceX launch director says a computer abort was triggered at T-minus 10 seconds in the rocket's guidance, navigation and control system."
 
Last edited:
  • #296
Next launch attempt is tomorrow at the same time.
 
  • #297

Deja vu o_O
 
  • #298
Not the same reason as yesterday apparently, but the countdown was halted at -9 seconds again.
July 4 - independent of problems?
 
  • #299
mfb said:
July 4 - independent of problems?
Never, but third times a charm.
 
  • #300
Here's a cool shot of Dragon.
iss052e010374.jpg
 

Similar threads

SpaceX Starship (/Super Heavy) testing: Mk1 stacked, 20 km flight this year
Replies
30
Views
9K
Could the Sea Dragon Rocket Have Revolutionized Space Travel?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Low Atmosphere Rocket Launch Stages Carry Their Own Oxygen -- Why?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Steering rockets in space by shifting CM
Replies
3
Views
3K
SpaceX SpaceX Makes History As First Company to Dock a Spacecraft At ISS
Replies
7
Views
4K
Kerbal Space Program - Duna Rocket Launch
Replies
3
Views
4K
B Can Unlimited Energy Launch Objects into Orbit Using Accelerator Technology?
Replies
32
Views
5K
Kerbal Space Program - Efficient Launch into Orbit
Replies
5
Views
11K
Kerbal Space Program - Rocket Design Basics
Replies
2
Views
9K
B Feasibility of a L1 Gravity Swing Cold Launch?
Replies
18
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top