SpaceX F9 - 19th Reuse - Iridium Next 66-75 - SLC-4E

[ecarfan]

I will let @Grendal correct my thread title and fill in the launch details.

 

[Grendal]

Launch Date: January 11th, Friday
Launch Window: 1531 GMT (10:31 a.m. EDT; 7:31 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Booster Recovery: ASDS - JRTI
Booster Type: B1049.2 - Reused B5
Orbit: LEO 9600 kg

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. This will be the last Iridium launch and the entire constellation will be active. Iridium currently has the largest constellation of satellites and all of them were launched within a two year period by SpaceX.

Iridium NEXT | Iridium Satellite Communications

Maybe the first launch of the New Year.

 

[Grendal]

Official slip to next year. Now January 7th. Data post updated.

And now the 8th.

 

[Grendal]

This will be the last time I post the running number of reuses in the title. I'll put that information in the launch details post instead. I will still put significant events in the title. Reusing boosters is now routine for SpaceX!

 

[Electroman]

While first time re-use may not be that significant anymore, I would think still any 2nd reuse and above is still quite significant

 

[Grendal]

While first time re-use may not be that significant anymore, I would think still any 2nd reuse and above is still quite significant

True. I still consider multiple re-uses significant and will put those in titles for the next couple years. Unless they become too routine as well.

 

[Grendal]

Static Fire complete. Weather isn't good. ASDS on the move anyway. Good luck. Shutdown will not affect this launch.

 

[e-FTW]

Delay? SpaceX on Twitter

 

[Grendal]

Delay? SpaceX on Twitter

There you go. Delayed until.... Rumor says the 10th.
EA's livestream - also delayed.

 

[Grendal]

Friday according to Desch:
Matt Desch on Twitter

 

[e-FTW]

And SpaceX: SpaceX on Twitter

 

[Grendal]

Iridium is a fun company.
Oops. We Did It Again… Introducing the Iridium®-8 Launch Soundtrack | Iridium Satellite Communications

 

[Grendal]

Webcast:

 

[Nikxice]

Less than 20 minutes until launch and the winds and rain appear to be a few hours away. Webcast should begin soon. A great promoter of SpaceX. Going to miss this guy!

Matt Desch on Twitter

 

[Cosmacelf]

Perfect launch and recapture of the first stage. Bullseye.

 

[Grendal]

SpaceX back on track with a successful landing.
Matt Desch did the countdown.

 

[ecarfan]

Great launch! Everything appears nominal so far.

We got a good view of the booster falling away from the second stage and the cold gas thrusters causing it to rotate 180 degrees. It always amazes me how quickly that occurs after stage sep.

Loved hearing Matt do the final count. Nice touch.

 

[MyJoule]

10 for 10 deployed. Way to go SpaceX.

 

[Nikxice]

John Insprucker made a nice call, 75 for 75! The 8 Iridium launches have been a spectacular success for SpaceX. Enjoyed the end of the webcast. SpaceX gave a nice video montage salute to Iridium.

 

[ecarfan]

It’s wonderful to see how excited Insprucker is over a successful mission, given his long experience in aerospace and many years at SpaceX.

I really enjoyed the closing sequence of the webcast, where SpaceX compiled clips from a variety of Iridium missions. It included what was for me the first time seeing how the view of the launch appears from the tent that I think SpaceX puts up somewhere near the Lompoc airport.