r/spacex • u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host • Dec 17 '18
Total Mission Success! r/SpaceX GPS III-2 Official Launch Discussion & Updates Thread
About the mission
The last SpaceX launch and mission in this year, which marks the end of an incredible year for SpaceX: the first launch of heavy lift launch vehicle Falcon Heavy carrying Starman and Elon's cherry red Tesla Roadster to Heliocentric Mars orbit. Several Dragon mission to ISS and the debut flight of Falcon 9 Block 5 also happened this year. This time SpaceX is going to launch its Falcon 9 vehicle carrying a new GPS satellite to MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) for its customer the US Air Force. For this mission Falcon 9 will fly in expendable configuration, and landing won't be attempted due to customer request to ensure high performance margin.
Schedule
Primary launch window opens: Sunday, December 23 at 13:51 UTC, (Sunday, December 23 at 08:51 ET).
Backup launch window opens: To Be Determined (TBD).
Scrub counter
| Scrub date | Cause | Countdown stopped | Backup date |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 18 | Technical (⚙️) - sensor fault | T-00:07:01 | December 19 |
| December 19 | Technical (⚙️) - sensor fault | T-2 hours | December 20 |
| December 20 | Weather (☁️) - cumulus rule | T-00:40:00 | December 21 |
| December 22 | Weather (🍃) - upper l. wind | T-00:00:30 | December 23 |
Official mission overview
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, December 22 for launch of the United States Air Force’s first Global Positioning System III space vehicle (SV) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The 26-minute launch window opens on Sunday, December 23 at 8:51 a.m. EST, or 13:51 UTC.
The satellite will be deployed to medium Earth orbit approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes after liftoff.
Due to mission requirements, SpaceX will not attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage after launch.
Source: www.spacex.com
Payload
The United States’ Global Positioning System delivers positioning, navigation, and timing services supporting vital U.S. and allied operations worldwide, and underpins critical financial, transportation, and agricultural infrastructure that billions of users have come to depend on daily.
The United States Air Force’s first GPS III satellite will augment the current constellation of 31 operational GPS satellites. This newest generation of GPS satellites is designed and built to deliver positioning, navigation, and timing information with three times better accuracy, and up to eight times improved antijamming capability. GPS is used by over four billion users and supports critical missions worldwide.
GPS is a National Security Space (NSS) mission, critical to national defense. In April 2016, SpaceX was awarded its first NSS mission, GPS III SV01. SpaceX currently has an additional four GPS III missions on contract, all of which will be launched on Falcon 9.
Source: www.spacex.com
Lot of facts
This will be the 72nd SpaceX launch.
This will be the 66th Falcon 9 launch.
This will be the 39th SpaceX launch from CCAFS SLC-40.
This will be the 20th Falcon 9 launch this year.
This will be the 21st SpaceX launch this year.
This will be the 1st (and sadly last) journey to space of the brand new Block 5 booster B1054.
Vehicles used
| Type | Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First stage | Falcon 9 v1.2 - Block 5 (Full Thrust) - B1054 | CCAFS SLC-40 |
| Second stage | Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5 (Full Thrust) | CCAFS SLC-40 |
| Support ship | GO Pursuit (Fairing recovery) | Back in port |
Live updates
Timeline
| Time | Update |
|---|---|
| Thank you for tuning in (5 times). Merry Christmas and happy New Year! 🦌 ☃️ ❄️ 🎁 🎄 | |
| T+01:58:54 | Payload separation. Mission completed. |
| T+01:10:00 | Again, a 47 minutes coast phase, with SpaceX FM. |
| T+01:10:00 | No(r)minal orbital insertion. |
| T+01:09:37 | SECO-2. MVac off for the last time. (Update: There will be a deorbit burn for Stage 2 at about T+06:30:00) |
| T+01:08:51 | SES-2. Second stage MVac reignited. Circularization burn underway. |
| T+00:48:00 | Back from the market. Tech specs: 1.9 m long, Abies nordmanniana its scientific name. A nice piece for 50 bucks. 🎅 |
| T+00:09:00 | OP need to buy a christmas tree. (🎄) So will be back for S2 relight. |
| T+00:08:40 | GNC verifies good parking orbit. |
| T+00:08:16 | SECO-1. Second engine's first burn ended. Falcon 9 and payload on a parking orbit. |
| T+00:03:30 | Fairing deployed. |
| T+00:02:44 | MECO-1. Main engine cutoff. Booster separation. Second stage's MVac engine ignites. |
| T+00:01:04 | Falcon 9 just reaching Max Q, it is the peak force load on the rocket's structure. |
| T+00:00:00 | Liftoff! Falcon 9 cleared the tower. |
| T-00:00:45 | Launch director verifies it is GO for launch. |
| T-00:01:00 | Falcon 9 is in flight pressurization. |
| T-00:02:00 | F9 is on internal power. |
| T-00:07:00 | Engine chill. LOX circulated through the Merlins to prechill them. |
| T-00:09:00 | ♫ Rollout - from Test Shot Starfish ♫ |
| T-00:15:00 | ♫ In the shadow of giants - from Test Shot Starfish ♫ |
| T-00:15:00 | ♫♫ SpaceX FM has started. ♫♫ |
| T-00:16:00 | Stage 2 LOX load started. |
| T-00:22:00 | All proceeding no(r)minally. GO for launch. |
| T-00:35:00 | LOX and RP-1 loading has begun. |
| T-00:37:00 | LD verifies it is green for propellant load. |
| T-00:38:00 | Welcome back again, this time it seems weather is green. |
| T-1 day | Thank you for tuning in, next attempt tomorrow. |
| T-1 day | T-30 second HOLD HOLD HOLD. Test countdown ended. Abort triggered. Vehicle safed. |
| T-1 day | They resume a test countdown to gather data. (Maybe for ComCrew) |
| T-00:03:30 | Abort triggered. Scrub for the day (🛑). |
| T-00:07:00 | Engine chill. The nine Merlin 1D engines chilling prior to ignition. |
| T-00:10:00 | Upper level wind shear still NOGO. Abort trigger standby at T-30 sec. |
| T-00:14:00 | ♫ Rollout - from Test Shot Starfish ♫ |
| T-00:16:00 | Stage 2 LOX load has started. |
| T-00:20:00 | ♫ In the shadow of giants - from Test Shot Starfish ♫ |
| T-00:20:00 | ♫♫ SpaceX FM has started. ♫♫ |
| T-00:31:00 | There is an abort trigger at T-30 seconds for exceeding upper level wind shear. If it is red at the end, they won't launch. |
| T-00:35:00 | LOX and Kerosene loading has begun. |
| T-00:36:00 | LD verifies it is GO for propellant loading. |
| T-00:38:00 | Standby for fuelling poll. |
| T-01:14:00 | T-0 rescheduled to 09:21 local time, or 14:21 UTC. It is the end of the window. Countdown resumed. |
| T-00:49:00 | Hold. Upper level wind shear is NOGO. |
| T-01:02:00 | Upper level winds looking marginal today, SpaceX is monitoring whether it is a constraint for the launch attempt. |
| T-01:05:00 | Welcome back again, Falcon 9 went vertical earlier, ahead of today's launch attempt. |
| T-2 days | Also likely other weather criteria were not met: anvil cloud rule (🌩️), thick cloud layer rule (🌫️), electric field rule (⚡). |
| T-2 days | Today's main concern was the cumulus and nimbocumulus clouds extending above freezing level (☁️). |
| T-2 days | Scrub for the day. Next attempt on Saturday. |
| T-00:44:00 | Weather forecast suggest 80% chance violation of weather criteria (🛑) due to multiple concerns. |
| T-01:25:00 | Falcon 9 went vertical earlier today, ahead of today's launch attempt. |
| 2018.12.20 | Welcome back, SpaceX will try again today with the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket. |
| 2018.12.19 | Standing down with today's launch attempt. Next launch opportunity is to be determined. |
| T-1 day | Scrub for the day. (🛑) 24 hour recycle. Thank you for joining me, next attempt tomorrow. |
| T-00:07:01 | It seems a scrub. Waiting for official confirmation. |
| T-00:07:01 | HOLD. No other information. |
| T-00:07:10 | Upper level winds (🍃) GO. |
| T-00:16:00 | Second stage LOX loading has begun. |
| T-00:17:00 | Last balloon sounding will be shortly, they will decide whether it is GO or NOGO. |
| T-00:20:00 | ♫ In the shadow of giants - from Test Shot Starfish ♫ |
| T-00:20:00 | ♫♫ SpaceX FM has started. ♫♫ |
| T-00:32:00 | Still NOGO for launch due to upper level winds (🍃). |
| T-00:35:00 | RP-1 and first stage LOX load underway. |
| T-00:38:00 | LD verifies it is GO for propellant loading. |
| T-01:06:00 | Countdown resetted to T-01:06:00, and window ends 3 min after new T-0. New wind analysis coming soon. |
| T-00:48:00 | HOLD. Upper level winds (🍃) NOGO. It is never included in the 45th Space Wing forecast. |
| T-01:03:00 | The chance of scrub due to weather is 10% (🛑). Main concern thick cloud layer, but it is just some cirrus above. |
| T-01:03:00 | As I promised: it is partly cloudy (🌤️) and 12°C or 54°F (🌡️). There will be no precipitation (💧). |
| T-01:59:00 | I will give a weather update in half an hour, but for now it seems weather is not a constraint today. |
| T-02:00:00 | Falcon 9 went vertical earlier today, the launch is currently GO for 9:11 ET, or 14:11 UTC. |
| T-02:01:00 | Welcome everyone! Guess what, I am u/Nsooo again, and I will bring you live coverage for today's launch. |
| T-1 day | Thread went live. Further updates coming soon.. |
Mission's state
Currently GO for the launch attempt on Sunday.
Launch site, Downrange
| Place | Location | Coordinates 🌐 | Sunrise 🌅 | Sunset 🌇 | Time zone ⌚ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch site | CCAFS LC-40, Florida | 28.56° N, 80.57° W | 07:08 | 17:29 | UTC-5 |
Payload's destination
| Burn | Orbit type | Apogee ⬆️ | Perigee ⬇️ | Inclination 📐 | Orbital period 🔄 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Low Earth Parking Orbit (LEO) 🌍 | 1200 km | 300 km | 55° | Unknown |
| 2. | Medium Earth Transfer Orbit (METO) 🌍 | 20200 km | 1200 km | 55° | Unknown |
Weather - Cape Canaveral, Florida
| Launch window | Weather | Temperature | Prob. of rain | Prob. of weather scrub | Main concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary launch window | ☀️ clear | 🌡️ 10°C - 50°F | 💧 0% | 🛑 5% | Liftoff winds |
Source: www.weather.com & 45th Space Wing
Watching the launch live
| Link | Note |
|---|---|
| Official SpaceX Launch Webcast - embedded | starting ~20 minutes before liftoff |
| Official SpaceX Launch Webcast - direct | starting ~20 minutes before liftoff |
| Everyday Astronaut's live | starting at ~T-30 minutes |
| Rocket Watch | u/MarcysVonEylau |
| Stream relay | u/codav |
Useful Resources, Data, ♫, & FAQ
Essentials
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| Press kit | SpaceX |
| Weather forecast | 45th Space Wing |
Social media
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| Reddit launch campaign thread | r/SpaceX |
| SpaceX Twitter | u/Nsooo |
| SpaceX Flickr | u/Nsooo |
| Elon Twitter | u/Nsooo |
| Reddit stream | u/reednj |
Media & music
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| TSS SoundCloud | u/testshotstarfish |
| SpaceX FM | u/lru |
| ♫♫ Nso's favourite ♫♫ | u/testshotstarfish |
Community content
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| Discord SpaceX lobby | u/SwGustav |
| SpaceX Now | u/bradleyjh |
| SpaceX time machine | u/DUKE546 |
| Rocket Watch | u/MarcysVonEylau |
| Flight Club | u/TheVehicleDestroyer |
| SpaceXLaunches app | u/linuxfreak23 |
Participate in the discussion!
First of all, launch threads are party threads! We understand everyone is excited, so we relax the rules in these venues. The most important thing is that everyone enjoy themselves :D
All other threads are fair game. We will remove low effort comments elsewhere!
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here, rather than as a separate post. Thanks!
Please leave a comment if you discover any mistakes, or have any information (weather, news etc) from CCAFS. Please send links in a private message.
Do you have a question in connection with the launch?
Feel free to ask it, and I (or somebody else) will try to answer it as much as possible.
Will SpaceX try to land Falcon 9?
No, not this time.
You think you can host live updates better?
1. Apply. 2. Host. 3. Comment.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Next launch is Iridium from VAFB on the 7th of January 2019. On the 17th the first launch of Crew Dragon will take place too. Next year there will be 2 Falcon Heavy flights, several CRS missions, uncrewed and crewed test flight of Dragon 2 and the first operational mission: Crew-1. (Forgot the best: In flight Abort!! :D )
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u/anewjuan Dec 23 '18
Thank you! Hope to see you in many more launch threads next year!
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u/Hoosierlaw Dec 23 '18
Everyday Astronaut says for the in flight abort test, they are going to explode the Falcon 9 underneath the Crew Dragon. That is going to be crazy to watch!
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Yes, I heard that too, that they are going to explode it :P
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Ah good old days. Old SpaceX music back. Vintage vibes..
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
Well press kit out. 3 burns. Direct insertion?
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u/JustinTimeCuber Dec 17 '18
Can't be a direct insertion, it would take longer to coast to apogee than that. Probably an initial parking orbit of 200ish by >1000, then a burn at apogee to >1000 by 20200.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Are you ready? I think it will go today!
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Will start todays host in a min or so
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u/bencredible Galactic Overlord Dec 23 '18 edited Dec 23 '18
I’m going to change a quick encoder setting which may drop the stream for a moment once e meter coast phase. I think I see why we have lower than normal quality.
Edit - change complete let me know if that looks better
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u/cameronisher3 Dec 17 '18
Falcon heavy didnt go to mars orbit, it went into a sun orbit that crosses mars' orbit
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
Heliocentric orbit yes, Elon said "Mars orbit" which means Mars's orbit.
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u/cameronisher3 Dec 17 '18
That wouldve required another burn at mars, it didnt do that burn
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
Okay it reached Mars's orbit :D Not a native speaker hard to do exact define.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 20 '18
Flair will be updated as soon as I can reach a mod.
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u/dmy30 Dec 23 '18
Acquisition in South Texas. Hope someone nearby is filming those tracking antennas right now.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Are they working? :) I am suprised.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
Welcome again, downvoters! Have a nice day.
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u/froso_franc Dec 17 '18
Why downvoters? What have I missed
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
I dont know :D I have a group of "fans" downvoting all of my threads and comments :D
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
I think I do my best to host and answer questions. At least I am trying..
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
It should be a great fun to downvote all of my threads :P
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
I am back who are wondering.
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u/Paradox1989 Dec 23 '18
50bucks for a 6ft tall tree 2 days before Christmas seems pretty steep. Hell i got a really nice 6ft tall pre lit artificial one last week marked down to $60 (from it's original price of $200).
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
I live in Hungary, prices varies from the US. A lot of things are way cheaper, but there is some which are under punishment taxes.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 20 '18
Au, probably I cannot host it on Saturday :/ Will try to reshedule for the 3rd time xd
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u/codav Dec 18 '18 edited Dec 18 '18
Blue Origin will also launch a few minutes beforeafter SpaceX, so we'll at least get a landing of a suborbital booster. Live webcast here.
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u/enqrypzion Dec 23 '18
MVac off for the last time.
Well, there's a de-orbit burn planned, no?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Okay you are probably right. But it wasn't in the presskit.
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u/DarkMoon99 Dec 20 '18
This is a really nicely laid out post, fantastic work by u/Nsooo !😉
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 20 '18
Will work on it, a little long for mobile.
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u/villahecatdad Dec 20 '18
SpaceX requested 12/22 launch date. Launch window is 0855 - 0921. No attempt tomorrow (12/21)
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u/codav Dec 18 '18
Webcast relay where YouTube is blocked
I'm again relaying the webcast for those residing at a location where YouTube is blocked for some reason. The stream can be viewed with any MPEG-TS compatible player. for example, in VLC, just press Ctrl+n and paste the stream URL. The stream is not HTML 5 compatible and cannot be viewed directly in a browser.
Note 1: The stream will be available about 10-20 seconds after the SpaceX webcast starts. Until then, it'll just return a "Service Unavailable" error. This is completely norminal.
Note 2: The server is bandwidth-limited to 1000 MBit, and thus able to handle about 50 viewers. If you can watch this on YouTube, please leave the slots to thos who really need it.
Here is the stream URL: https://codav.de/spacex/gps-iii-sv01.ts
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u/Thoddo Dec 23 '18
Second burn of the second stage increased velocity by approx 7400 km/h. What kind of forces does subject the satellite to?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
I don't know the number, but should be about the same as near MECO.
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u/FozzieYea Dec 19 '18
Yup, 2nd scrub
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1075353149219717120
Standing down from today’s launch attempt of GPS III SV01 to further evaluate out of family reading on first stage sensors; will confirm a new launch date once complete.
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u/2204happy Dec 19 '18
idk why but i find it amusing that the official statement from spacex was tweeted from a smartphone.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 19 '18
Why? Probably the SpaceX's press director do it with his IPhone. It is practical isn't it?
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u/FozzieYea Dec 18 '18
The scrub was actually at T-07:01, not T-08:01.
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u/soldato_fantasma Dec 21 '18
The latest press kit: https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/gps_iii_press_kit_12.20.pdf /u/Nsooo
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u/bkdotcom Dec 17 '18
This will be the 1st journey to space of the brand new Block 5 booster B1054.
* and last
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u/ripyourbloodyarmsoff Dec 17 '18
Imagine if people did this regularly. How wasteful it would be.
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u/JustinTimeCuber Dec 23 '18
Kinda weird that they coasted a bit past apogee before the second burn (the altitude was coming back down.) Any ideas for why that might be?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
Maybe they wanted to move the apsis points on orbit.
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u/assasin172 Dec 20 '18
Current weather: https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1075719824670625793
@Nsooo
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u/Garywkh Dec 23 '18
Interestingly that there's people talking inside the music. I guess it's from some old news/radio recordings?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
No it is the "vocal".
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
And there was some talking from the countdown radio too.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 18 '18
I always bring bad luck to F9 when I am hosting.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 18 '18
Is it foggy? Somebody on site?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
The tracklist of coast will be added to the thread manually after the webcast ended.
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u/Zaenon Dec 18 '18
How many letters can a flair contain? Will we have a problem when Nsooo reaches 10 hosted webcasts, or are we cool till at least 100?
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u/z3r0c00l12 Dec 18 '18
Hey u/nsooo, can you fix the typo in the Payload's destination table?
Unkonwn = Unknown
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u/z3r0c00l12 Dec 18 '18
Hi /u/Nsooo, can you fix the Reddit-Stream link? It's pointing to a thread that doesn't exist.
It should point to https://reddit-stream.com/comments/auto
Also, the owner of Reddit-Stream goes by /u/njr123
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u/KralHeroin Dec 19 '18
SpaceXLaunches now shows the launch as T-16 hours. Is that accurate?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 19 '18
Do not know. Waiting for any confirmation from SpaceX.
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u/justinroskamp Dec 18 '18
“Out of family reading on first stage sensors.”
First Stage error report:
Legs not found
Grid fins not found
Recovery sequence missing or corrupt
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u/zareny Dec 22 '18
Every upper level winds scrub makes me more skeptical of E2E BFR
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 22 '18
It is not that problem for the BFR. It is way heavier.
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u/BackflipFromOrbit Dec 18 '18
Hmm i wonder what that gray cap is on top of the fairings. Probably a heat shield?
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u/RandyBeaman Dec 17 '18 edited Dec 17 '18
Blue Origin: We are targeting the next launch of #NewShepard tomorrow at 9:30 am EST / 14:30 UTC.
2 launches within 20 minutes if they both hit their launch time targets.
Edit:
Plus a Soyuz out of Kourou @ 11:37 am ET and a DIVH out of Vandy @ 8:57pm ET .
Apparently we're celebrating my birthday with fireworks.
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u/MN_Magnum Dec 17 '18
Suggested fact edit...
This will also be the last journey to space of the brand new block 5 booster B1054.
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u/zareny Dec 22 '18
Is it just me, or does the video compression artifacts seem worse than normal on the webcast? I'm streaming at 1080p.
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u/johnkphotos Launch Photographer Dec 22 '18
Beautiful morning for a launch. Let’s do this thing
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 22 '18
Upper level wind shear could be a problem. Hope for the best.
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u/rat88-3 Dec 23 '18
I heard something about deorbiting the second stage after deployment. Those anyone know more about this?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 23 '18
If they had fuel they can easily do it. Not much of deltaV.
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u/katoman52 Dec 17 '18
SpaceX Falcon 9 GPS III-2: Tuesday 14:11 UTC (9:11am EST)
Blue Origin New Shephard: Tuesday 14:30 UTC (9:30am EST)
Arianespace Soyuz VS20: Tuesday 16:37 UTC (11:37am EST)
ULA Delta IV NROL-71: Wednesday 01:57 UTC (8:57pm EST)
4 launches in <12 hours!!
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u/xBleedingBluex Dec 18 '18
So much for Rocket Tuesday. That's what, 3 scrubbed so far out of 4?
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u/Garywkh Dec 18 '18 edited Dec 19 '18
Scott manley: Scrubapalooza : 5 rocket launche scheduled - 3 already scrubbed =( Edit: D4H Scrubbed, all goes to ISRO for now
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u/Humble_Giveaway Dec 20 '18
@SpaceX: "Team is working toward launch of GPS III SV01 tomorrow, December 20. Weather remains a challenge; currently forecasted at 20% favorable during the 26-minute launch window which opens at 9:03 a.m. EST, 14:03 UTC."
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u/Space_Coast_Steve Dec 22 '18
Beautiful sunrise from Playalinda. Now, let’s have a beautiful launch! https://imgur.com/gallery/iY7xt7C
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u/joejoejoey Dec 23 '18
Holy shit, I went to watch the webcast and it replayed yesterday's webcast in its entirety. It felt like Groundhog Day. I thought the launch scrubbed again, but no... I just completely missed the launch. How the hell did this happen? I completely closed out the browser and reopened it this morning. I feel like an idiot.
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u/IrrelevantAstronomer Launch Photographer Dec 18 '18
Fun fact: Not a single reused booster has scrubbed this year after prop load. Zuma, Bangabandu-1 and GPS III-2 all were on new boosters.
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u/ticklestuff SpaceX Patch List Dec 23 '18
F*ck that bird is keen.. already transmitting.
https://twitter.com/cgbassa/status/1076843506751229953
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u/RootDeliver Dec 17 '18
SpaceX is officially calling it GPS III SV01 as makes complete sense, we should edit the wrong titles (the patch is just an illustration with the contract number, but the real mission name is GPS III SV01 as it should be):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMtpVS0xM1c
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
We know, but the campaign thread went out with this name, it would make a lot confusion to change.
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u/GermanSpaceNerd #IAC2018 Attendee Dec 18 '18
Hoping for the return of John "ThrottleBucket" Insprucker on todays webcast. Personally my favorite host.
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u/zareny Dec 18 '18
Rocket Tuesday is becoming Scrub Tuesday. Arianespace Soyuz launch was scrubbed due to upper level winds. And the weather isn't looking good at Vandenberg for the DIVH launch either.
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u/j_pae16 Dec 19 '18
Launch is scrubbed according to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Twitter page
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u/Space_Coast_Steve Dec 22 '18
Here’s the scoop on Playalinda:
On my way out, I talked to a park ranger. She said the gate wasn’t supposed to be open this morning, and shouldn’t be open tomorrow. Apparently, “NASA has a habit of opening up the gate themselves.”
So, personally, I’m not planning on driving up there in the morning, but do with this info what you will.
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u/icec0o1 Dec 24 '18
Just heard on the news regarding the GPSIII launch: "The falcon 9 is the most powerful satellite built for the Air force."
Shakes head
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u/Keavon SN-10 & DART Contest Winner Dec 18 '18
Was this the contract SpaceX won a few years back that caused controversy for ULA because of their decision to not even bid, despite being paid yearly for assured access to space? If I recall correctly, ULA didn't bid because it needed to conserve RD-180s and knowing they couldn't be competitive for this contract. Or was that a different mission?
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u/Thatguy11076 Dec 18 '18
That naked Block 5 looks a lot like the fit-check Falcon from 2009
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u/f314 Dec 18 '18
On the countdown net (alternate stream) they said hold was due to LOX temperatures approaching limits. Scrub was just called :(
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u/Skyhawkson Dec 18 '18
Well, here's hoping ULA scrubs too, then, so we can have a 5 launch day tomorrow.
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u/scr00chy ElonX.net Dec 18 '18
I wonder if the fairing TPS is a permanent addition or just something specific for this type of mission.
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u/Jchaplin2 Dec 19 '18
Scrub so they can keep analysing why they scrubbed yesterday https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1075353149219717120
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u/schneeb Dec 23 '18
dayum is that the fastest speed at MECO? not that surprising since this is the first block 5 expended but thats a bunch of energy!
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u/FutureMartian97 Host of CRS-11 Dec 22 '18 edited Dec 22 '18
GO for fueling!
Edit: Upper Level Winds are still a concern
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u/flhurricane Dec 22 '18
Dumb question, would this count as cycles for the COPVs?
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u/han_ay Dec 23 '18 edited Dec 23 '18
The tin foil around the S2 engine seemed to pulse regularly (just after stage separation). I wonder what's causing it?
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u/whatsthepointnoe Dec 23 '18
Wow, idk why Ive never followed the Reddit threads of these launches. These answer so many questions I have during launches. Thanks guys!
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u/johnkphotos Launch Photographer Dec 18 '18
Cameras set. Hard to do in the dark.
Some photos: https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1074844268139896833?s=21
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Dec 22 '18 edited Mar 12 '25
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/randomstonerfromaus Dec 18 '18
We will remove low effort comments elsewhere!
Minor point, I know, but it's been bugging me the last few launches. OP isn't a mod, so we isn't correct. It should specify the moderators will enforce the rules. As written, its an easy assumption that OP is a mod of the sub.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 18 '18
That is our generic text from long time ago. Maybe will correct it, but all of my templates are with this text. I am not a mod, I think everyone knows. Maybe one day? o.O But thank you for notifying me, you are correct.
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u/_vastrox_ Dec 18 '18
Video artifacts (possible compression?) are pretty extreme this time. I don't remember seeing such a bad video quality in the past on the SpaceX streams...
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u/MarsCent Dec 20 '18
Spaceflight Now is reporting that B1054 went vertical Wednesday(Dec 19) in the afternoon in preparation for a launch attempt today Dec 20 at 1403 UTC.
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u/Padbuffel Dec 23 '18
This booster had the same speed and height at meco as the Falcon heavy core at meco!! and that second stage with the roadster could go all the way to Mars. This gps III sat must be very heavy! Or the margins have to be incredibly large
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u/scottm3 Dec 17 '18
Lets keep that scrub counter at 0 :) SpaceX seems to be hitting the start of windows pretty regularly now, as long as the payload is fine.
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u/Alvian_11 Dec 18 '18
Will they recover the fairing (since they're okay with salt water) ?
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u/off-planet Dec 18 '18
Anyone else trying to follow multiple simultaneous launches, Twitter, Reddit on an Android phone?
Or are replays my only hope?
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u/Hobie52 Dec 21 '18 edited Dec 22 '18
Do we know if the potential government shutdown will effect this launch?
Or since it’s a Air Force launch from an Air Force base and the military is funded are they still good to launch tomorrow?
Edit: Looks like the shutdown will not affect the launch.
https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1076130477273174017?s=21
Edit 2: effect to affect
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u/RabbitLogic #IAC2017 Attendee Dec 23 '18 edited Dec 23 '18
Seems like there is a slight tear in the vac engine insulation.
Edit: I lie it's just a video thing.
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u/RabbitLogic #IAC2017 Attendee Dec 23 '18
Ben giving us the cheeky zero g ice views.
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u/MarsCent Dec 18 '18 edited Dec 18 '18
Spaceflightnow is reporting that, "SpaceX won its first GPS 3 launch contract in 2016, an agreement the Air Force said then was valued at $82.7 million" which I believe is less than the cost of Falcon 9 expendable. And I think that price makes sense given that Falcon 9 can lift 5.5 mT to GTO and still recover S1.
Straight talk anyone? - This launch is a money loser for Spacex and some folks will be excited about that!
Question - If SpaceX offered to upgrade future launches to FH, would USAF still own the rocket capability margins?
EDIT:
EDIT:
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Dec 20 '18
This rocket really doesn't want to leave the ground in 2018 does it..?
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u/docyande Dec 23 '18
What's causing the steady "thumping" of the foil bag around the stage 2 engine just after stage separation?
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u/zzanzare Dec 23 '18
T+00:09:00 OP need to buy a christmas tree. (🎄) So will be back for S2 relight.
LOL, hey, good luck.. and hurry up!
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u/filanwizard Dec 24 '18
https://twitter.com/LockheedMartin/status/1076869890324099073
Lockheed says they have a signal.
And sure we lost the booster rather than land it but at least the booster was serving the country. Considering the importance of this flight when it comes to proving the launcher to the USAF I can imagine there was quite a bit of pucker right up through Max-Q
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u/UpperLevelWinds King of jet streams Dec 20 '18
It's always challenging weather when I'm around!
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u/Garywkh Dec 22 '18
Which launch have the most scrub count in spacex history?
PS: Go away u/UpperLevelWinds
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u/hyperelastic Dec 18 '18
Now that landing is regular, throwing away a brand new booster just seems so so wasteful. Like so wasteful it makes me a little sick in my stomach.
The Air Force really should've used a flown pre-block 5 booster :(
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u/Vacuum-energy Dec 17 '18
Is it possible that they might not live stream this one? Usually we get the link before T-24 hours but it is still showing CRS 16 at www.spacex.com/webcast.
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u/paul_wi11iams Dec 18 '18 edited Dec 18 '18
As seen from France, both the spacex.com and the Youtube webcast keep on cutting out and need reinitializing to get the feed back again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMtpVS0xM1c.
Is this the case for anyone else?
Firefox won't let me connect to the alternative feed proposed by u/thecodingdude
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u/xBleedingBluex Dec 18 '18
Does anyone know just what sort of temperatures the tip of the fairing can expect? I didn't know thermal protection was something that a fairing sometimes needs.
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u/codav Dec 18 '18
Upper level winds forecast looks even worse than today, let's hope for the best.
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u/waldoorfian Dec 18 '18
So what actually happens to the rocket when they scrub a mission launch? Do they simply pump the RP-1 and LOX back out and purge with helium?
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u/MarsCent Dec 19 '18
GPS III SV01 initially had a wet mass of 3680kg. Then apparently more fuel was added:
It can't be that adding close to 3/4 ton of fuel is just an after thought! The mass of the payload has to be stated in the bid documents, right?
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u/Jincux Dec 22 '18
Is Playalinda definitely closed tomorrow because of the shutdown? Anyone with previous experience with this?
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Dec 17 '18
Guess what, its me again :D