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 - NROL-108 - SL-39A

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by Grendal, Oct 1, 2020.

Tags:
  1. Cosmacelf

    Cosmacelf Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2013
    Messages:
    8,229
    Location:
    San Diego
    Looks like another successful mission.
     
    • Like x 1
  2. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2014
    Messages:
    1,054
    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    The ground camera provided a nice clear view of stage separation and boost back burn. The RTLS landing looked dead center and silky smooth. The fly reappeared at T-22, but understand his government security connection ends after 1/20/21.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Funny x 1
    • Love x 1
  3. ICUDoc

    ICUDoc Active Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2015
    Messages:
    1,624
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    Cleanest images of reentry ever. Great stuff- looked like the rocket was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing :)
     
    • Like x 2
  4. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    "NRO launches second dedicated mission with SpaceX

    CHANTILLY, Va, Dec. 19, 2020 —

    The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) successfully launched its NROL-108 mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 9:00 a.m. EST on Dec. 19, 2020.

    The mission carried a classified national security payload designed, built, and operated by the NRO in support of its overhead reconnaissance mission.

    “We are excited to partner with SpaceX again,” said NRO’s Principal Deputy Director Dr. Troy Meink. NRO’s first dedicated launch with SpaceX was NROL-76 in May 2017.

    “The successful launch of NROL-108 by SpaceX just days after the launch of NROL-44 by United Launch Alliance, underscores NRO’s commitment to a robust launch schedule supported by a growing number of partners and locations,” Meink continued. “Despite the challenges of 2020, NRO this year has successfully launched six missions from two countries. We are dedicated to delivering reconnaissance capabilities that keep this nation and our allies safe, while prioritizing the security and health of our launch teams.”

    Data collected by NRO’s national security systems are used to provide intelligence to United States’ senior policy makers, the Intelligence Community, and Department of Defense, as well as U.S. allied partners. Additionally, information collected by NRO systems can be used to assist emergency and disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world."

    NRO launches second dedicated mission with SpaceX > National Reconnaissance Office > News Articles
     
    • Informative x 1
  5. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    I still think NROL-76 was the best. This was pretty spectacular though. The dramatic wobbling as the booster was getting close to the LZ was new. Since it steadied out halfway through the landing burn I surmised it was a strong crosswind kicking the booster around.
     
    • Like x 1
  6. scaesare

    scaesare Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2013
    Messages:
    8,178
    Location:
    NoVA
    Wow that grid fin on the right was really experiencing some significant during landing...
     
  7. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    What I especially liked about the view from the ground was the speed at which both stages moved away from each other, first when the second-stage lit the MVAC and then the first-stage boost-back burn.

    Also, focusing on the fist stage (and showing the telemetry for it) allowed us to see how much the thicker air closer to the ground slows down the stage. Like an invisible force (ugh, humans and their inability to see air density) working against gravity. The speed increases a little after entry burn shutdown, but not for long: pretty soon the numbers go down dramatically as the stage gets closer to the ground (and its landing burn) and encounters thicker and thicker air.

    Entry burn shutdown @ 2258 km/h:
    E5A031E5-3A07-40AC-80EF-5C3A95631692.png

    13 seconds later, free fall speed peaks at 2495km/h:
    1B436E90-E16E-4CD8-BAE6-30B632F4050A.png

    35 seconds later, just before the landing burn, speed has dropped to 1108km/h or just a bout the speed of sound:
    D739E295-654F-4EF9-A95E-BA73D7DB33CA.png
     
    • Like x 2
    • Informative x 1
  8. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    Launch, Land, and Relaunch:
    E03D2033-5E80-4975-AA6B-EAA1EE0A2640.jpg 75FDD1BF-CE48-46FD-9728-E5399364CD0D.jpg
    SpaceX & NSF Fleetcam
     
    • Like x 3
  9. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    NROL-76 also followed the booster stage throughout its return to the LZ. That particular shot of the second stage boosting away for NROL-108 was new though. Usually the booster is too busy spinning away. This time it lingered for about a second or two longer.

    I wonder if they even have cameras on the second stage.
     
    • Like 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