Falcon 9 FT Block 4 - Zuma - SLC-40 (changed)

[Grendal]

There is a placeholder launch set for Cape Canaveral. The license for the launch was okayed. No real details as yet.

Launch Date: November 10th

Speculation is that this is a NROL launch. The license mentions an RTLS. The last NROL SpaceX launch was an RTLS.

The next launch after this is CRS-13 on Nov 28th and is very likely a return to SLC-40.

 

[Electroman]

That means the camera will be focused only on the first stage throughout.. cool

 

[e-FTW]

Yay, RTLS! Usually means fantastic visuals.

 

[N5329K]

Polar orbit? Perhaps a different sort of "Koreasat"?
Robin

 

[dhanson865]

Word is now that Northrop Grumman put the payload together.

NASASpaceflight.com has confirmed that Northrop Grumman is the payload provider for Zuma through a commercial launch contract with SpaceX for a LEO satellite with a mission type labeled as "government" and a needed launch date range of 1-30 November 2017.

 

[e-FTW]

OT

Northrop Grumman

Every time I see this name, I cannot help but have this pop into my mind's eye:

I used to work in a shop that maintained those trucks.
Today, you know many of them as “the food truck”.

The history of Northrop Grumman: Grumman - Wikipedia
They made some awesome planes like the F4 and the iconic F14 Tomcat
And you know, this thing:

Sorry, back to regular programming.

 

[Grendal]

The mystery launch has been called the "Zuma" launch.

The next Iridium will not be a RTLS according to the CEO of Iridium.

Here is a great article on the mystery launch:
SpaceX adds mystery “Zuma” mission, Iridium-4 aims for Vandenberg landing | NASASpaceFlight.com

It is a real launch. SpaceX just put out the paperwork for media professionals to participate and get accredited.

 

[ecarfan]

The next Iridium will not be a RTLS according to the CEO of Iridium.

Darn. So when is the first RTLS launch at Vandenburg? Enquiring SpaceX minds want to know!

 

[Grendal]

The launch date has been pushed out to the 16th. There were also rumors it was moved to the 15th for a while.

Launch Date: November 16th
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing type: RTLS

So this will very likely be a LEO launch based on the fact it is an RTLS. The payload was made by Northrop Grumman. It is technically a commercial launch with oversight and support by the government (or a government agency) as some sort of initial test. Perhaps Zuma is part of a larger program that the government will activate if this payload is successful. This launch will use a new Block 4 booster. It is speculated that this new booster was originally intended for the 4th Iridium launch but re-prioritized for this launch. That is why Iridium is choosing to use a previously flown booster instead of waiting and being delayed waiting for a new booster. Zuma is the 17th F9 launch of the year and, if successful, it will be the 20th recovered booster.

This will probably be the last launch out of LC-39A until the modifications to the pad and TEL are finalized to allow for Falcon Heavy. The timing (2 months) for that has been downgraded to a month because of all the modifications that have happened while the pad was active.

 

[bxr140]

Polar orbit? Perhaps a different sort of "Koreasat"?
Robin

I feel like I've comments on this enough times that I'm kind of the polar nazi at this point, but no. Florida launches do not go to polar. That's what vandenberg is for.

 

[N5329K]

No sweat. I'm a grammar/spelling Nazi myself. Typing "hanger" when you meant "hangar" drives me bonkers.
With Vandenberg available, there's no pressing reason for polar orbit flights from Florida. They have done so in the past, however:
Tiros 9 - 22.01.1965 - inclination 96,4°
Tiros 10 - 02.07.1965 - inclination 98,6°
ESSA 1 - 03.02.1966 - inclination 97,9°
ESSA 2 - 28.02.1966 - inclination 101°
ESSA 9 - 26.02.1969 - inclination 101,8°
Robin

 

[Grendal]

More details about the Zuma launch is in this article:
SpaceX aims for late-December launch of Falcon Heavy | NASASpaceFlight.com

So now we know:
Launch Date: NET November 15th, Wednesday
Launch window: 20:00-22:00 EST (01:00-03:00 UTC on 16 November).
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing type: RTLS

So another late night launch.

 

[e-FTW]

So another late night launch.

Those are beautiful with the color cameras!

 

[Grendal]

The static fire happened for the Zuma launch today.

SpaceX on Twitter

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting November 15 launch of Zuma from Pad 39A in Florida.

 

[Grendal]

70% chance of weather being favorable for launch.

 

[macpacheco]

Launch delayed 24 hours.
"SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, Nov. 16 for launch of the Zuma mission. Both Falcon 9 and the payload remain healthy; teams will use the extra day to conduct some additional mission assurance work in advance of launch. The launch time and window remain the same for Thursday, opening at 8:00 p.m. EST and remaining open until 10:00 p.m. EST."
Source: Nasa Space Flight Zuma mission public updates thread

 

[Nikxice]

This launch delay will push Zuma up against Thursday's Semi Truck reveal. Zoom-Zoom, Win-Win for Elon.

 

[ecarfan]

Both Falcon 9 and the payload remain healthy; teams will use the extra day to conduct some additional mission assurance work in advance of launch.

I wonder what “mission assurance work” means? I can only make deeply uninformed guesses, so I will refrain.

 

[Grendal]

I wonder what “mission assurance work” means? I can only make deeply uninformed guesses, so I will refrain.

I read that to mean: The customer is checking something on their end and so we have to wait 24 hours. Since we have to wait we'll check some of our stuff, but really we're ready to go.

It is 24 hours.

Launch Date: November 16th, Thursday
Launch window: 20:00-22:00 EST (01:00-03:00 UTC on 17 November).
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing type: RTLS

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

This launch delay will push Zuma up against Thursday's Semi Truck reveal. Zoom-Zoom, Win-Win for Elon.

Launch 8pm EST
Truck 8pm PST
Plenty of time between the two.