SpaceX F9 - GPS III SV03 - SLC-40

[adiggs]

It'd be nice if later today, on the launch webcast, if we got an angle on the launch pad with the 2nd rocket upright in the distance. I don't even know if that's a thing (as it'd require two launch pads), but I'd get a kick out of that.

 

[Grendal]

60% chance of good weather for launch.

 

[808?]

 

[Nikxice]

T plus 5 hours and nobody has posted here? I was busy today too, but was lucky enough to watch the launch on my phone. Statement from Lockheed Martin,
"After a successful launch, the third Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite is now headed to orbit under its own propulsion. The satellite has separated from its rocket and is using onboard power to climb to its operational orbit, approximately 12,550 miles above the Earth.
GPS III Space Vehicle 03 (GPS III SV03) is responding to commands from U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin engineers in the Launch & Checkout Center at the company’s Denver facility. There, they declared rocket booster separation and satellite control about 90 minutes after the satellite’s 4:10 p.m. EST launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Standing upright on the deck of JRTI, the booster is so clean it doesn't look flown. Apparently there was no attempt to net the fairings, but they were both successfully scooped out of the Atlantic.

 

[ecarfan]

T plus 5 hours and nobody has posted here?

Ho hum...another successful F9 launch and booster landing...

 

[Grendal]

Complete success including fairing recovery. The first stage fleet is increased to five for F9 launches. Two more boosters (B1061 and B1062) have been completed and are going through testing. Those two are currently going through testing and are already assigned to Crew 1 and the next GPS III (4) launch. Both of those are contracted to be new boosters.

 

[e-FTW]

Complete success including fairing recovery. The first stage fleet is increased to five for F9 launches. Two more boosters (B1061 and B1062) have been completed and are going through testing. Those two are currently going through testing and are already assigned to Crew 1 and the next GPS III (4) launch. Both of those are contracted to be new boosters.

Once NASA starts flying astronauts on flight-proven boosters, one has to think that other customers are going to start thinking that might be ok for satellites... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[e-FTW]

Did anyone notice how the Mylar was pulsating with a very regular “heartbeat” on the second stage? Like top right of one of the views. See at 18:57 (or T+2:58):

 

[adiggs]

Once NASA starts flying astronauts on flight-proven boosters, one has to think that other customers are going to start thinking that might be ok for satellites... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Or even gasp, *better*!

That's a paradigm I'm looking forward to flipping on its head. Use new boosters on something with low risk / expense if it fails like a Starlink launch, and use flight proven boosters for crew, national security, and other particularly sensitive / expensive missions. Someday it'll happen.

 

[Grendal]

Once NASA starts flying astronauts on flight-proven boosters, one has to think that other customers are going to start thinking that might be ok for satellites... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And they already have. There was an article recently saying that Space Force is considering using pre-flown boosters.

 

[Grendal]

Once NASA starts flying astronauts on flight-proven boosters, one has to think that other customers are going to start thinking that might be ok for satellites... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And here is that article:
Space Force more receptive to reusable rockets as it continues to review SpaceX missions - SpaceNews.com

 

[e-FTW]

And here is that article:
Space Force more receptive to reusable rockets as it continues to review SpaceX missions - SpaceNews.com

NASA: “You guys are buying new rockets?? LOL!!!”
Space Force: “But we let them land it this time!”
NASA: “2009 called and wants its launch program back...”

 

[e-FTW]

For completeness' sake, this booster made it back to port on Saturday July 4th. So 4 days at sea.