SpaceX Launches Used Rocket for 13th Time

Jun 4, 2018 at 6:21 AM

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SpaceX successfully launched today a satellite using a used rocket for the 13th time.

A Falcon 9, which previously lofted the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B space plane, successfully deployed the SES-12 satellite to orbit. The mission was for Luxembourg-based SES, which launched the satellite to offer data and video services to the Asia-Pacific region.

SES has an important place in SpaceX history, as it was the first SpaceX customer that agreed to employee a used Falcon 9. The SES-10 satellite was launched on March 30, 2017.

The mission lifted off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 12:45 a.m. ET.

SpaceX did not attempt to recover the first stage booster for this flight, as it’s phasing out this generation of rocket in favor of the more resilient “Block 5″ version of the Falcon 9.

Watch the launch webcast below.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hcM5hqQ45s” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Electroman

Supporting Member

May 13, 2018

No recovery? why bother launching if you are not interested in landing?

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Doug_G

Lead Moderator

May 13, 2018

Block 4 only gets reused once.

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Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

May 13, 2018

Doug_G said:
Block 4 only gets reused once.

I am crossing my fingers that a Block 4 gets a third reuse with the In Flight Abort test for Commercial Crew. The TESS booster (B1045) landed on OSCILY in spectacular shape. It's next launch for CRS-15 will also be an easy RTLS recovery with minimal wear and tear as well. So I'm hoping that booster gets a third reuse with the In Flight Abort test.

The ongoing rumor is that they will reuse the KoreaSat 5A (B1043) booster for the In Flight Abort though.

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mongo

Well-Known Member

May 24, 2018

Static fire good. Targeting May 31st.
Twitter

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Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

May 28, 2018

The launch date has been modified. Now June 1st.

SpaceX on Twitter

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Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

May 29, 2018

Weather for Friday early morning is terrible. Only 40% chance of a launch opportunity. It does improve toward the tail end of the window though.

Chris G - NSF on Twitter

croman

Active Member

May 31, 2018

Grendal said:
Weather for Friday early morning is terrible. Only 40% chance of a launch opportunity. It does improve toward the tail end of the window though.

Chris G - NSF on Twitter

Already been pushed to the 4th.

Twitter

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Electroman

Supporting Member

May 31, 2018

I was hoping to start the weekend watching a glorious launch.

Last edited: May 31, 2018

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Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

May 31, 2018

SpaceX to fly 'hybrid' Falcon 9 with Block 4 and 5 stages on June 4 launch

Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

Jun 2, 2018

First post modified to reflect new launch date of June 4th.

Heads up to the West Coast people that the launch will happen on Sunday night for you: 9:29 PM.

ecarfan

Well-Known Member

Jun 2, 2018

Grendal said:
First post modified to reflect new launch date of June 4th.

Heads up to the West Coast people that the launch will happen on Sunday night for you: 9:29 PM.

That’s past my usual bedtime but I will stay up for a launch.

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Electroman

Supporting Member

Jun 2, 2018

I will stay up if there is a landing. But there isn’t one this time.

Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

Jun 3, 2018

Webcast:

Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

Jun 3, 2018

Active commentary on the webcast by Everday Astronaut.

Mike1080i

Member

Jun 3, 2018

Chris G - NSF on Twitter
Launch time has been pushed 16 minutes to 00:45 EDT (0445 UTC).

Prop load has started.

ICUDoc

Active Member

Jun 3, 2018

At last! A launch at a sensible time of day!

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Fiver

Active Member

Jun 3, 2018

Question about the time gap between the end of second stage burn two and when they release the satellite. After the second burn is over, why hold onto the satellite for so long if the second stage is done at that point? Why not release it shortly after the burn is over once everything checks out? If there aren’t any additional burns planned what’s the point of holding onto it for so long after?

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ICUDoc

Active Member

Jun 3, 2018

Yay! Went great.
I love the way the altitude climbs and velocity falls even after SECO2- remarkable to think about that elegant silent HIGH-altitude trajectory....

Grendal

SpaceX Moderator

Jun 3, 2018

Successful launch. Some drama over a lens flare after liftoff. Nothing fell off. Everything else went successful except some mylar shielding came loose on the second stage and flapped around. It didn't prevent the successful deployment of the satellite in the desired position.

Fiver said:
Question about the time gap between the end of second stage burn two and when they release the satellite. After the second burn is over, why hold onto the satellite for so long if the second stage is done at that point? Why not release it shortly after the burn is over once everything checks out? If there aren’t any additional burns planned what’s the point of holding onto it for so long after?

They are waiting for a specific pre-arranged point in space to release. It may take a while to reach that point. Maybe there are some satellite checks that SES needs to do.

It's a good question and I am just speculating.