TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

SpaceX F9 - GPS III SV03 - SLC-40

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by Grendal, Dec 10, 2019.

  1. adiggs

    adiggs Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2012
    Messages:
    4,172
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    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.
     
    • Love x 1
  2. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    60% chance of good weather for launch.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. 808?

    808? Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Messages:
    182
    Location:
    Hong Kong
     
    • Love x 1
  4. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2014
    Messages:
    1,054
    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    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.
    cgMhgL4JcxmW2eoanwpgii-970-80.jpg
     
    • Like x 5
    • Informative x 2
  5. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2013
    Messages:
    19,181
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    Ho hum...another successful F9 launch and booster landing...:cool:
     
    • Like x 3
    • Funny x 2
  6. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    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.
     
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 1
  7. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    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)_/¯
     
    • Like x 1
  8. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    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):
     
  9. adiggs

    adiggs Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2012
    Messages:
    4,172
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    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.
     
  10. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    And they already have. There was an article recently saying that Space Force is considering using pre-flown boosters.
     
    • Like x 1
  11. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    • Informative x 1
  12. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    • Funny x 2
  13. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    For completeness' sake, this booster made it back to port on Saturday July 4th. So 4 days at sea.
     
    • Informative x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC