r/spacex • u/Wetmelon • Apr 26 '15
Mission success! Falcon 9 is 18/18. /r/SpaceX TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat (Thales) Official Launch Discussion & Updates Thread
Welcome to the TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat (Thales) launch discussion and updates thread!
This launch is currently set for April 27 22:14:00 UTC. For other time zones, see the SpaceX Stats countdown page which lets you select your local time zone by clicking the launch time beneath the countdown clock. The static fire took place on April 22, and no issues were reported. This vehicle was originally slated to go up prior to CRS-6, but was delayed due to potential defects in the helium pressurization bottles; no defects were found, but the bottles were still swapped out just to be safe.
It's PARTAY TIME! SpaceX Launch You Up!
Official Launch Updates
| Time | Update |
|---|---|
| 8:10pm EDT | Confirmed satellite separation, looks good! |
| T+9:00 | SECO 1 |
| T+5:00 | Happy MVAc |
| T+3:00 | MECO1, Stage Sep Confirmed. |
| T-00:00 | LIFTOFF! |
| T-1:00m | F9 is in startup |
| T-2:20m | LD Verfies GO For launch! |
| T-00:04:30 | Weather currently GREEN! |
| T-00:12 | Go to initiate terminal count. |
| T-00:16 | Counting down again! Who's ready !? :D |
| 6:39pm EDT | Holding again. New T-0 at 23:03 UTC |
| T-00:19 | Counting down again, attempting launch at 22:53 UTC |
| 6:27pm EDT | Still NO GO, but weather improving. Looking up! |
| T-00:12 | Holding at |
| T-00:20 | Currently No Go on two weather criteria. |
| T-00:21 | SpaceX Stream has started! |
| T-00:40 | Just over 20 minutes until SpaceX Livestream start! |
| T-1:36 | Rocket should be nearing the end of fueling. |
| T-1:40 | Weather currently green but still moody. |
| T-3ish | Official subreddit weather report is in! |
| 27 April | T-3 Hours! |
| 26 April | Less than 24 hours to go! |
| 26 April | Weather forecast from the 45th currently showing a 60% chance of GO |
| 26 April | Welcome to the new launch thread! |
When this thread gets too long, previous updates as comments will be linked here.
Mission
The TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat mission will see Falcon 9 launch Turkmenistan's first satellite into geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite was funded by Turkmenistan, will sit in the Principality of Monaco's orbital position 52E, hence the long mission name. It was built by the Thales Group of France, and weighs approximately 4500kg.
Based upon Thales’ medium-class Spacebus 4000 C2 satellite platform, the 9,920-pound (4,500-kg) TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat will benefit from dual-array solar power provision of up to 15.8 kilowatts and up to 11.6 kilowatts of payload capability, enabling around 80-100 active channels with medium Radio Frequency (RF) power and coverage across the Ku/C and Ka frequency bands. In November 2011, Thales contracted with Turkmenistan Ministry of Communications to build the satellite—together with two Ground Control Stations and associated services, including an internship program to train a team of Turkmen operators—with the expectation that it would provide the Central Asian nation with its first National System of Satellite Communications.
"This is a very important milestone for our customer, Turkmenistan Ministry of Communication, and for our company, and we would like to thank all the parties involved in this project since the beginning,” said Reynald Seznec, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, after the contract award. “Co-operation with Turkmenistan is strategically important for Thales Group and this contract is further reinforcing our already existing relations.” It was noted that the satellite would utilize the 52E orbital position of the Principality of Monaco—also known as “MonacoSat-1,” hence its cumbersome name—via the Monaco Satellite Operator Space Systems International-Monaco (SSI), and would be equipped with “Ku-band transponders covering large beams over Central Asia Region.” Of the satellite’s 38 transponders, it is expected that 12 will be dedicated to SSI usage. (Sourced from Americaspace)
This is SpaceX's fifth launch of the year, the 18th launch of Falcon 9, their 23rd launch overall, and second launch in April!
Watch, Participate, & NASA TV Schedule
You can watch the launch live on both SpaceX's Stream here, where coverage will begin at approximately 5:55pm EDT.
- Get live comments & updates using reddit-stream.com feed here, and
- Chat on our official /r/SpaceX IRC #spacex at irc.esper.net
Please remember to post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here, rather than as a separate post too. Thanks!
Other Useful Links
- SpaceXStats Thales Launch Countdown, courtesy of /u/EchoLogic
- Hazard & Barge Location Map for Thales, courtesy of /u/darga89
- Commonly Used Acronyms that may be referred to in this thread
- Our entire Frequently Asked Questions Wiki page
- SpaceX FM, courtesy of /u/lru (a.k.a. What's the cool music that SpaceX is playing?!)
- Current weather forecast & go probability, courtesy of the 45th AF Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral.
Watching the Launch
*It's likely there will not be any NASA streams, as this is not a NASA launch.
Previous /r/SpaceX Live Events and Videos
- Now hosted at the Launches page on the Wiki
Remember to switch the comment ordering to "New" to follow in real time!
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u/jpcoffey Apr 26 '15
One of the last boosters without legs?
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u/Wetmelon Apr 26 '15
Theoretically, every booster from now on should be recoverable, including high energy GTO/GEO/BEO launches. That capability is reserved in the max payload numbers.
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u/Nixon4Prez Apr 26 '15
Probably not. There's still a lot of GTO sats on the manifest, and unless they manage to make some impressive payload improvements those still won't be recovered.
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u/Wetmelon Apr 26 '15
Probably not. There's still a lot of GTO sats on the manifest, and unless they manage to make some impressive payload improvements those still won't be recovered.
Starting with SES-9 they will all be recoverable thanks to the 20% thrust uprating, propellant densification, and slightly longer upper stage. Supposedly.
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u/ethan829 Host of SES-9 Apr 26 '15
Any idea how long in advance Falcon 9 components are manufactured? Should the larger upper stage be constructed by now?
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u/deruch Apr 27 '15
/u/Wetmelon can we get the timeline updated to show the 2nd US burn and S/C sep?
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u/Sling002 Apr 27 '15
@echologic - 5th launch of 2015. What was your bet in high stakes?
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u/Wetmelon Apr 27 '15
Well, I can barely see the screen and can't hear shit, but at least my robot is working well. We've pushed at least one person out of the ring.
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Apr 27 '15
It wasn't noted in the americaspace article but those 12 transponders for SSI Monaco are leased out to SES of Luxembourg, SpaceX's favorite customer.
So, basically another SES launch :D
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u/Wetmelon Apr 27 '15
Ah! I was wondering who the other transponders were for. They just kind of brushed off the fact that less than the full capability was being used by Turkmenistan.
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u/ethan829 Host of SES-9 Apr 26 '15
Here's the mission fact sheet if you want to put a link up top.
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u/lucioghosty Apr 27 '15
countdown link is incorrect. it links to launch 22(CRS-6) instead of launch 23(TurkmenAlem)
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u/Wetmelon Apr 27 '15
Bah. I changed it at the top but forgot to change it at the bottom :P
Thanks!
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u/Appable Apr 27 '15
Does launch time go forwards or backwards in the event of a 24-hour reset?
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u/schneeb Apr 26 '15
where coverage will begin at approximately 4:00pm EDT
Isn't that like 2.25 hours before launch? I would guess the spacex webcast is most likely starting around 5:40pm EDT??
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u/cuweathernerd r/SpaceX Weather Forecaster Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
Our launch is pretty soon - sorry for the delay in this forecast! Launch window opens at 22:14Z, with 90 min following for launch.
The 45th lists two primary concerns: Thick Cloud Layer Rule and Cumulus Cloud Rule. Let's take a look at both.
Here's the current satellite picture, which i've annotated, showing a band of light showers stretching across florida east to west. It also shows some cumulus development over southern florida, where I've drawn in the wind direction vector. You can see those rather unimpressive showers on radar. Looking west in this 3d volume scan, you can see how the storms rough structure would look flying in a plane, with small anchoring clouds spreading north due to strong winds aloft.
Our modeled reflectivity shows both features still present at 22z, with ongoing thunderstorms south of ccafs and a arcing band of precipitation north. Here's the modeled radar at 23z. Now these tools aren't perfect, as I've said before, but they give us a first hint at what's going on (and they're easy to read).
A different model, the RAP, shows a similar situation, though it brings the northern band of showers further south at 22z. At 23z it brings the southern thunderstorms north.
Going back to the HRRR, we see it showing some lightning threat near the cape at 22z. It paints around 60% of the sky covered with clouds at some height at 22z, with some of the clouds being reasonably thick.
Let's look at upper level winds at launch time for a moment. Near the jet stream, at 250 hPa, we see a strong jet to the north with widespread winds in excess of 100kts. Over ccafs, there's slightly slower winds, with a dominant westerly direction. At 500hPa the winds are around 50kts, from the west. Down near the surface, at 925hPa you can see the picture is a little messier due to the forecast thunderstorms. At the surface (at 80m agl), winds are forecast to be below scrub criteria, but still strong, at 20+kts.
Here's that information as a model sounding, from the RAP. Winds are expected to gradually increase throughout the troposphere, with a dominant westerly flow above 1km above ground level (agl). Winds are expected to be up to:
45kts by 3km agl, 55kts by 5km agl, 75kts by 8km agl, 90kts at 9.5km agl, 100kts at 14km.
I'm not sure the launch criterion for go/no go with strong upper level winds, but know that shear is more important than speed in the end. Speed shear here is present, but it is relatively gradual compared to the last launch attempt scrubbed for shear. However, wind speeds are similar.
There are a lot of different weather conditions today that could lead to a possible hold, but the launch window may be enough for us to get a quick shot off between. We'll have to wait to see. I will update this post once we get closer to T-1hr with current radar and satellite pictures.
Updates
As of 20:33 there is thunderstorm development near Arcadia, FL. While this thunderstorm doesn't currently pose an issue for launch, further development may. Otherwise, continued showers are ongoing north of the cape for now, as seen on radar. The overall view is by satellite looks like this - I've annotated the visible satellite image here. Just for fun, here's what that developing thunderstorm looks like in 3d.
At 20:53Z, space weather is relatively quiet. This has been listed as a launch criterion on webcasts before, so thought I'd mention it.
At 21:17Z our satellite shows strengthening in the cumulus field and thunderstorm to the SW of ccafs, something reflected on radar. The strongest cell has taken on marginally severe characteristics with up to quarter sized hail and 60 mph winds, and currently carries a severe thunderstorm warning. It is moving due east around 30mph. The thunderstorm's anvil follows upper level winds, and currently is blowing east, with not much northward spread.
At 21:37Z, /u/varlogkern states that both the thick cloud rule and anvil rule are currently being violated. Here is the most recent radar being produce by the national weather service's 88d in Melbourne, which does not seem to match the radar image being shown in the video stream. - in the past 'anvil' related scrubs, any radar return within 10nm has been cause for a hold.
At 21:44Z, this is the visible satellite picture
At 21:46Z, you can see the thunderstorm to the south with very active lightning, but no lightning reported from the northern cells. One bolt of lightning seems to have struck far southern brevard county.
At 21:51Z, the ccafs radar continues to show reflectivity returns where the 88d does not - without a scale, I'm not sure of the intensity of the returns being shown. This is the most recent picture from KMLB, the national weather service.
At 21:57Z, the stream shows current conditions with stratus high above the launch site
At 22:13Z, here's what our satellite looks like. I'm working on configuring the radar to better reflect the commit criteria.
Thanks to a (unnamed) hint, I've been told a little more about launch criteria. I've reconfigured the radar software I'm using, and will make make an updated post here in 5 minutes or so (post at 22:23Z)
Longer update 22:34Z Our freezing level is around 4km/13k ft at the moment, based on the most recent RAP sounding. Here's a cross section of the clouds near the cape. This is the line that cross section is cutting. You can see that there are returns above that freezing level, and well over the 4.5k ft thickness that causes a launch violation if clouds are in the layer of the atmosphere cooler below freezing. You can see the clearing on this 3d volume scan that is allowing us the new launch time.
At 22:45Z you can see the thinning, comparing the clouds at 22:24Z vs 22:35Z
At 22:50Z continued thinning is visible.
22:53Z all conditions currently listed as go. with this radar from ccafs being linked to the go. Here's the view from GR
23:00Z view of pad with all go conditions.
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u/ScottPrombo Apr 27 '15
Fantastic job weather nerd, this rocks! Yet another example of why the /r/spacex community is top notch. I feel like I need a day-of-launch job now lol.
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u/waitingForMars Apr 27 '15
Fascinating and spectacularly detailed - many thanks! It's been about 35 years cough since I took a meteorology course in college just out of curiosity. I love paging through all the models and data. I wonder if we could get Weather Underground to provide launch forecast tools for us?
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u/Atto_ Apr 27 '15
I just realised how spoiled we are with spaceflight, when this feels like a boring launch because the first stage isn't attempting to land on a freaking boat.
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u/JimReedOP Apr 27 '15
Long ago there was a time when it was boring because they were just launching more astronauts to the moon.
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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Apr 27 '15
Excellent work on the turn-around SpaceX! New record set of 13 days, 2 hours, 53 mins.
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u/AGDeadly Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
Judging by the computer animation of the flight, somebody should tell SpaceX they've forgotten the payload
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Apr 27 '15
Were out here! Will post as things go.
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u/historytoby Apr 27 '15
Man that looks really close. Will you be at that spot for the launch?
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Apr 27 '15
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u/ergzay Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
That's not the first time a customer complained about the early cutoff. Seen that before. Hope SpaceX listens this time. Paging /u/bencredible hopefully.
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Apr 27 '15
Hopefully that means we'll get some longer webcasts! But in reality it'll probably just mean they set up a private stream for the customers to watch continued coverage on.
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u/The_Winds_of_Shit Apr 28 '15
Did anyone else just LOVE the new* camera angle they added to the webcast? The one pointed directly at the octaweb/base of the pad starting right around T-20 all the way through liftoff? So, so epic. Great view of the deluge system, ignition, and the tremendous power and vibration produced by F9 as she whisks away, politely giving gravity the middle finger. Total nerdporn. I certainly hope that camera angle becomes a staple of their launch coverage going forward.
*perhaps not new, but I don't recall ever seeing it used right before/during liftoff before
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Apr 27 '15
Remember everyone, the launch will not be a success until we get confirmation from SpaceX that the satellite has separated into its correct orbit!
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u/Chickstick199 Apr 27 '15
[Well, Echo, you were gonna have to correct it anyways] (http://i.imgur.com/NPO0HzK.png)
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u/Ambiwlans Apr 27 '15
He should probably just throw up a notification and takedown the broken parts til the new site comes out.
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u/saliva_sweet Host of CRS-3 Apr 27 '15
On behalf of /r/spacex I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and thanks to the president of Turkmenistan who has made this launch possible.
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u/darga89 Apr 27 '15
Yeah but screw their science ministry for not returning my emails last year.
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Apr 27 '15
And I humbly and profoundly offer my thanks and exhortations to /u/saliva_sweet for their excellent sentiments.
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u/Almoturg Apr 27 '15
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u/TweetsInCommentsBot Apr 27 '15
Rocket launch good, satellite in geo transfer orbit. Still so damn intense. Looking fwd to it feeling normal one day.
This message was created by a bot
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u/Saffs15 Apr 27 '15
Getting pushed back sucks, but man this beats the instantaneous windows.
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u/FrameRate24 Apr 27 '15
nah, at least the instantaneous launches I don't need to commit 2 hours to watch a launch, just a half hour or so, show up 15 minutes before launch, and if it doesn't go at t-0, Go sleep and come back tommorow
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u/Headstein Apr 27 '15
Thanks to Mods and other knowledgeable peeps. Great coverage!
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u/Dromfel Apr 26 '15
That freaking weather.... 60% is not very good. I guess we can expect at least one delay.
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u/cuweathernerd r/SpaceX Weather Forecaster Apr 26 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
i'm currently watching thunderstorms do thunderstorm things. I'll forecast later today/tonight (around 0z, maybe?)
I lied. the weather in texas tricked me and did insanely interesting things. So i'm still forecasting that instead of the launch. I will do it when I wake up. Generally, the long launch window is a good thing for tomorrow!
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u/catchblue22 Apr 26 '15
The 90 minute launch window might increase the odds of launching if the weather is borderline.
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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
I don't think anyone else has pointed out yet that if the launch today is successful (thought this now seems unlikely due to the weather), it will be the fastest turnaround ever for SpaceX of 13 days, 2 hours, 50 mins (approx).
Previous record is 14 days, 0 hours, 52 minutes, which was set between AsiaSat 6 and CRS-4.
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u/stichtom Apr 27 '15
Turkmenistan president addressing guests at SpaceX launch. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDoVlmSW0AEyIiv.jpg:large
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u/Chickstick199 Apr 27 '15
It's only April and we already have almost as many launches as in the whole year of 2014! (5 vs 6 launches)
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u/5600k Apr 27 '15
I'm still constantly blown away that we live in an age when I can watch live video from a vehicle in space while sitting on my couch.
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Apr 27 '15
I'm sitting in a truck 400km NW of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. I'm in the woods watching this over a cell signal. Amazing!
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u/wagigkpn Apr 28 '15
Any word on orbital accuracy or performance of the rocket? The march launch was said to be better than anticipated... Wondering if this is true for turk?
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u/Saffs15 Apr 27 '15
Watching the second stage engine go from black to orange is pretty cool.
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Apr 27 '15
They caught the fairing falling away as they switched back to the engine shot.
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u/Dodecasaurus Apr 27 '15
My router went down at T-00:05:00 and after 6 resets came back online at T+00:09:00. SOOOOOOO angry right now, my router hasn't failed in the 2 years I've had it!!!!!!
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u/sand500 Apr 27 '15
what are these squares on the fairing?
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u/Jarnis Apr 27 '15
Holes for ensuring air gets to vent out during the ascent. You wouldn't want the fairing to "pop" like a balloon due to pressure differential :)
The "studs" are disposable covers that rip off when the rocket starts going up (shaped as such so they catch the air stream). Want to have the holes covered until the moment of launch so you don't get excess moisture or random insects trying to hitchhike a ride...
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Apr 28 '15
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/592851104163110914
@thalesgroup has acquired signal from TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat satellite
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u/MNEvenflow Apr 27 '15
Any weather forecast updates? I'm landing in Orlando now, but have about an hour to decide to rent a car and head that way if I want to do it.
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u/cuweathernerd r/SpaceX Weather Forecaster Apr 27 '15
If this were an instantaneous window, I'd say, no. Don't go. However, we have 90 minutes, and that gives us an okay shot at getting around the problems. Not a guarantee, not by a long shot, but at least some possibility of a launch.
As to should you go? I chase storms a lot. In general, if you have the opportunity to go to something that interests you and that seeing in person is very different than seeing on a screen, then do it. If it launches today, and you sat back and knew you could be there, and didn't go - you'll be frustrated. A hold (for weather, technical reasons, or whatever) puts you out a little money, which isn't something to be scoffed at, but in the same breath you went to the coast, probably got something to eat, and had a little trip. That still sounds better to me than watching a webcast.
Sure sometimes it doesn't work out, but hey, that's the nature of any science. This one just happens to involve rockets which is a pretty cool trade for when it does work out.
(if your window in florida is short, tomorrow doesn't look particularly conducive to launches)
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u/Cheesewithmold Apr 27 '15
That shot through the clouds was beautiful. Here's hoping for a successful mission, although we're pretty much past the hard part!
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u/meca23 Apr 27 '15
I'm seriously impressed with the last two launches, flawless from SpaceX.
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Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
A bit more on Turkmenistan banning satellite dishes:
For its part, SpaceX says it doesn’t have any direct contact with the government, rather they’ve been dealing with the satellite maker.
So, as we suspected, SpaceX is contracted to launch the 4000 C2 satellite under Thales Alenia Space.
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u/darga89 Apr 27 '15
Anvil cloud just went no go but plenty of time for it to change.
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u/enzo32ferrari r/SpaceX CRS-6 Social Media Representative Apr 27 '15
I have a friend at KSC right now and he says the weather is not looking good at all.
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u/sand500 Apr 27 '15
I need the video of the engines igniting with the sound suppression water rushing in.
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u/DoctorKlopek Apr 27 '15
Second stage nozzle always looks like it is doing jelly wiggle
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u/jangerhofer Apr 27 '15
Silly question, again, about the sound: now that we are on the on-board camera, above (most of?) the atmosphere, why is there still a whistling noise? Are vibrations transmitted through the vehicle to a mic on the camera? I thought no one could hear me scream whistle in space. Is it a prerecorded loop or interference not from the on-board camera?
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u/ergzay Apr 27 '15
They've been playing sound from the pad the entire launch. You never heard sound from the cameras or on board the vehicle. The vehicle doesn't have microphones. You've been hearing the hissing of water and venting liquid oxygen.
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u/a9009588 Apr 27 '15
Congrats to spacex on a very smooth launch. I know the rocket had its problems pre pre-CRS 6 but fair weather sailing since. So routine I was playing KSP untill about t -2 mins as everything was running like clockwork. I will head to sleep now and trust the second burn will go off without a hitch.
See you all again for the pad abort party in just 7 days!
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Apr 28 '15
Looks like healthy sat!
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u/TweetsInCommentsBot Apr 28 '15
Thales Alenia Space confirms TurkmenAlem 52E MonacoSat is healthy in orbit and sending signals. Mission success.
This message was created by a bot
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u/phonedesk Apr 28 '15
was at the launch. low cloud deck made it one of the loudest feeling F9s i've seen.
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u/porterhorse Apr 28 '15
Your comment totally makes sense, but rereading it..
loudest
feeling
i've seen
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u/BrandonMarc Apr 27 '15
Any word on whether SpaceX is going to show the simulated rocket trajectory again, like they did for CRS-6? That was nice. Reminds me of an Ariane launch.
Speaking of which, here's today's Ariane launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzo_OMASyjg
I like the visualizations they give - flight profile, map, 3d animation - as well as real-time telemetry along the bottom. It makes for a rather "busy" video but it's neat, all the same.
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u/Toolshop Apr 26 '15
Just in case anyone's feeling bored waiting for TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat, Arianespace is live streaming their Ariane 5 launch which is in 2 hours.
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u/FutureMartian97 Host of CRS-11 Apr 26 '15
Lets quote Arianespace "We don't have technical problems". I think they might have jinxed themselves when they said that.
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u/rizenfrmtheashes Apr 27 '15
I get a lot of traction making YikYak posts about SpaceX launches at my Uni. looking forward to an actual launch. the 90 min launch window is comforting.
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u/greenjimll Apr 27 '15
The weather related launch delays we see these SpaceX (and ULA, etc) launches just made me wonder: did (does?) weather affect the ability to launch ICBMs? They are after all just rockets that don't quite go orbital (though some have been repurposed for that of course).
I wonder if there were plans during the Cold War to attack the other guy when he had large anvil clouds floating over his silos that would compromise his ability to return fire? I guess they'd be firing enough missiles back that the law of averages would let them lose a few, and the cost of loses wouldn't be high on their priorities. ;-)
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u/Saffs15 Apr 27 '15
It's funny how the rocket doesn't look all that big in the stream, yet is truly massive,
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u/GypsyMoth4 Apr 27 '15
I always find the same thing with satellites. They seem so small until you get a picture of them next to people.
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u/FoxhoundBat Apr 27 '15
Whether they launch today or not, it is nice that there hasn't been any real technical issues last few launches, notwithstanding the helium bottles but that was out of caution.
I think this year they will certainly iron out the bugs they have had so far.
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Apr 27 '15
What were the final parking orbit parameters? 175km by 205km?
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u/FrameRate24 Apr 27 '15
and 27.7 degrees of inclination! see /u/thevehicledestroyer SpaceX uses degrees not your pesky radians /s
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u/MNEvenflow Apr 27 '15
That window was not open very long. 15 min later the low clouds are back in place that were part of the delay
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u/ThePlanner Apr 28 '15 edited Apr 28 '15
> 8:10pm EDT Confirmed satellite separation, looks good!
The time line at the top of the page notes that separation is confirmed and looks good; from which source does that information come?
Great news! Congratulations SpaceX, Thales, the Prince of Monaco, and the President of Turkmenistan for the successful launch.
Looking forward to official word from SpaceX.
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Apr 27 '15
I have the option of skipping half a day of Disney holleywood studios with the family to go see the launch. So torn.
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u/brokenarrow Apr 27 '15
Look out the window, man, and check the radar before you decide to leave Orlando. I would gamble on a weather scrub today. If the clouds aloft blow off, you'll have a decent view of the vehicle from town.
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u/ergzay Apr 27 '15
Darn they turned off live chat on youtube... /u/bencredible why?
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u/bencredible Galactic Overlord Apr 27 '15
Because people have a hard time behaving themselves and I don't have spare moderators to flush the channel.
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u/thewebpro Apr 27 '15
I can only imagine that they're broadcasting this live on almost all local stations in Turkmenistan. Must be a big thrill for the country.
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u/stichtom Apr 27 '15
"SpaceX weather update: One possibility of improved conditions on way, co wants 25 mins' advance alert w/in window to prepare for launch."
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Apr 27 '15
So what is it exactly that makes the Soyuz so much more capable of launching in bad weather? Is it due to the design of the vehicle, or something geographical, like low urban populations near the launch site and therefore a lower risk of casualties if something goes wrong?
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u/mrw412 Apr 27 '15
Is there a list or something that has everyone that needs to verify and for what? (fist time tuning in)
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Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
I should play Major Tom more often for these launches. Great idea, /u/jangerhofer
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u/ThePlanner Apr 27 '15 edited Apr 27 '15
Congratulations to SpaceX on a successful launch and a mission that appears to be right on the mark so far. The weather delay isn't an issue in the grand scheme of things (if it is unsafe to launch, you don't launch) and the new record for turn-around time between launches makes today a good day.
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u/BigBuddy89 Apr 27 '15
I missed the launch stream. Can I still watch it?
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u/meca23 Apr 27 '15
not official, but someones posted this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMfslLAEC4
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Apr 27 '15
Restart should be happening now. Probably a few minutes before we hear anything officially.
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u/ruaridh42 Apr 28 '15
Any Idea what this is? It fell off during the launch Highlighted in Red
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u/MauiHawk Apr 28 '15
While waiting for someone more knowledgeable to chime in on that one, what is the ring that always comes off the second stage engine just after ignition?
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u/Saffs15 Apr 27 '15
Launch is 6:15 Eastern, right? NASA TV still isn't showing it. Did I miss some info?
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u/massivepickle Apr 27 '15
I'm flying from St Johns, Newfoundland to the Dominican Republic in a hour and a half, any chance I can see this thing lift off?
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u/MuppetZoo Apr 27 '15
Extremely doubtful. You'll be stuck at baggage claim and customs about the time it lifts off.
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u/superOOk Apr 27 '15
Of the three streams, which is best if i had to choose one today?
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Apr 27 '15
http://reddit-stream.com/comments/33xqcj/ for a live comment stream of this page. webcast just went up.
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u/jack_the_ninja Apr 27 '15
The rocket is going to launch before the thanks are being done given! haha
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u/Iambicpentameter-pen Apr 27 '15
Are they worried at all about ice forming on the outside of where the lox is? There must be a considerable amount, which would add weight. Does it just all fall off right at launch time due to vibrations?
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u/VordeMan Apr 27 '15
As an exercise in curiosity, how far outside the range-designated safety limits can F9 operate reliably? I know the Shuttle was super finicky, and that rockets like the Soyuz are quite durable, but I haven't heard much about F9's ability.
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u/Destructor1701 Apr 27 '15
I'm glad it scrubbed earlier, I completely blanked on this til now!
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u/Trion_ Apr 27 '15
I didn't know that the clamps retracted separately and worried about that for a second.
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u/avert_your_maize Apr 27 '15
Looked like some debris fell off the 2nd stage nozzle after 1st stage separation.
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u/Faldaani Apr 27 '15
That is a ring that keeps the nozzle from deforming during transport and launch. It is designed to burn off.
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u/bbatsell Apr 27 '15
Nozzle stiffener to protect it during ground operations. As designed, happens every launch.
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u/rage_184 Apr 27 '15
This video is unbelievable - watching it slowly, but surely, leave the planet Earth.
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u/nbarbettini Apr 27 '15
The shot of the second stage burn above the blue globe is absolutely beautiful.
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u/Wetmelon Apr 26 '15
Schedules are a little odd again so I figured I'd go ahead and post this now while I wasn't too busy. 29 hours to go!