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SpaceX F9 - 16th Reuse - SAOCOM 1A - SLC-4E
- Thread starter Grendal
- Start date
Well, since we both want to see this launch, we will hopefully meet at the intersection of Ocean Ave and Renfrew Ave! But I won’t know if I can make it until we have a reliable date/time from SpaceX, which won’t be until sometime next week I would say.
Looks like the date finally solidified. Saturday, October 6th 7:22 PM on the West Coast.
First post updated.
First post updated.
Thanks for posting the launch time!
Yep. See you there.We will... Vandenberg
Article from NASA Spaceflight with details on the upcoming launch.
SpaceX preparing Falcon 9 for static fire ahead of SAOCOM-1A mission, first west coast RTLS – NASASpaceFlight.com
B1048.2 is vertical on the pad at Vandenberg today for a likely static fire.
Successful static fire about 2 PM PST
SpaceX (@SpaceX) | Twitter
SpaceX preparing Falcon 9 for static fire ahead of SAOCOM-1A mission, first west coast RTLS – NASASpaceFlight.com
B1048.2 is vertical on the pad at Vandenberg today for a likely static fire.
Successful static fire about 2 PM PST
SpaceX (@SpaceX) | Twitter
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
I'm excited; This will be the first F9 launch I've watched in person. The winds are forecast to be ~17mph at ground level... hope that isn't too much...
Triple redundant bummer...
I have some relatives arriving Saturday afternoon, and we were going to watch the launch/landing from the Manhattan Beach area. With it now being moved to Sunday evening, we will be up in Mammoth for the night. Anyone know if any part of the launch or landing maneuvers will be visible from there?
RT
I have some relatives arriving Saturday afternoon, and we were going to watch the launch/landing from the Manhattan Beach area. With it now being moved to Sunday evening, we will be up in Mammoth for the night. Anyone know if any part of the launch or landing maneuvers will be visible from there?
RT
I don’t know with certainty, but that seems unlikely. The Sierra Nevada mountains will block your view.
Not a chance. VAFB is far away and the launch direction is just about exactly the opposite direction from mammoth.
Nikxice
Active Member
Judging from the scheduled launch time tomorrow of 7:22 PDT and the official sunset for VAFB listed as 6:38 PDT, seems there's a good chance of seeing F9 contrails illuminated a few minutes after launch. Maybe even catch the boost back burn. Good luck to those looking up to the sky Sunday night in SoCal.
Serendipity...at this point it looks like I can’t make the SACOM 1 launch because it slipped a day, but @nwdiver and I managed to meet in person anyway; today we were both at the Kettleman City Supercharger at the same time, parked just a few stalls apart. He recognized me based on my avatar; not many white X’s towing a Safari Condo Alto F7143 trailer.We will... Vandenberg
We had a nice chat!
palmer_md
Member
Anyone know if the first stage will be visible from Manhattan Beach area. How far south will it go before turning back north?
Serendipity...at this point it looks like I can’t make the SACOM 1 launch because it slipped a day, but @nwdiver and I managed to meet in person anyway; today we were both at the Kettleman City Supercharger at the same time, parked just a few stalls apart. He recognized me based on my avatar; not many white X’s towing a Safari Condo Alto F7143 trailer.
The switch to Sunday evening what with Monday being a workday for most really messed up a lot of plans I'm sure. That's really great that the two of you met up and great that your avatar helped.
Have a launch reminder on my phone set as I'd really love to see Stage 1 land back on Landing Zone 4 here in California. If we didn't have stuff going on here, would have loved to have made a long weekend trip down there but I know watching this via internet will be exciting all the same.
For those going there to view, Elon tweeted today that the sonic boom won't be subtle! Elon Musk on Twitter
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Yes it should be if it’s clear. Some binoculars could help.
Saocom is a sun synchronous orbit. I couldn’t find the exact trajectory, but my guess is it would turn back north somewhere around the South Pole.“palmer_md said:
palmer_md
Member
Anyone know where to check the high altiude wind forecast for this evening? Does the weather look favorable for the launch?
Weather forecast for Lompoc (ground level) looks great.
Weather forecast for Lompoc (ground level) looks great.
This might provide some indication, SpX Hazard Areas#8 [Raul] - Google My Maps
Stage separation happens at 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Boostback burn is at 2 minutes and 36 seconds.
