SpaceX F9 - Transport Layer, Tranche 0, Flight 1 - SLC-4E

Launch Date: April 2
Launch Window: 7:29am PDT (10:129am EDT, 14:29 UTC) - 1hr 54min window
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Core Booster Recovery: RTLS - LZ-4
Booster: B1075.2
Fairings: Reused
Mass: 10 Tranche satellites - 5 tonnes?
Orbit: LEO
Yearly Launch Number: 22

First launch of SDA Transport and Tracking Layer satellites. The Transport layer is an interoperable mesh network of satellites intended to provide periodic low-latency and high-capacity data connectivity, while the Tracking Layer consists of interconnected satellites with cross-links and wide field of view infrared sensors for hypersonic missile tracking.

T0TL A-Class 1, ..., 6 (Transport Layer Tranche 0 A-Class, Checkmate)

The Transport Layer is an experimental military satellite constellation developed by the SDA (Space Development Agency), which will serve as the ba...

space.skyrocket.de

https://www.sda.mil/transport/

Lockheed Martin to Build 10 Small Satellite Mesh Network in Two Years

LITTLETON, Colo., Sept. 1, 2020 – The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded a Tranche 0 contract of the Space Transport Layer to Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to demonstrate a mesh network of 10...

news.lockheedmartin.com

 

[Grendal]

If it launches this month, this will be the ninth launch in one month. That breaks the record for most launches in a single month for SpaceX.

 

[Grendal]

 

[Grendal]

Abort at 3 seconds. If okay, launch will happen at the same time on the 31st.

 

[JohnnyEnglish]

You don't get much closer than that - 3 seconds!

Good to hear the vehicle seems undamaged.

 

[MyJoule]

Interesting, no ignition after the TEATAB green flash- means no fuel flow- It will be interesting to see what the cause was.

Hopefully, it's something simple and they can go again tomorrow and get that 9th flight in March

 

[808?]

Updated link:

 

[ecarfan]

Abort at 3 seconds. If okay, launch will happen at the same time on the 31st.

Well that was pretty unusual for SpaceX. Anxious to know what the issue was.

 

[Grendal]

Well that was pretty unusual for SpaceX. Anxious to know what the issue was.

It had to be pretty minor. SpaceX had a tweet out within an hour saying the launch was a go for tomorrow.

 

[Electroman]

They forgot to load the payload...

 

[MyJoule]

Standing down again today No launch on March 31st

1641782239108423680

 

[ecarfan]

Third time’s a charm?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1641956590671794177

 

[808?]

 

[Grendal]

"One of the nine engines triggered the abort"

 

[Cosmacelf]

Flawless first stage landing back on land.

 

[Cosmacelf]

"One of the nine engines triggered the abort"

For the first time they tried to liftoff a few days ago. Today was flawless.

 

[ecarfan]

Jesse said on the webcast:

At the request of our customer we will not be showing any views today of the second stage.

Which meant not even a view from that stage of the RVac igniting. Because, you know, that’s top secret stuff!

 

[MyJoule]

Jesse said on the webcast:

Which meant not even a view from that stage of the RVac igniting. Because, you know, that’s top secret stuff!

Well you could see it from the first stage's interstage camera when it lit. but yeah, I can't imagine what they would be hiding - it's not like the trajectory isn't known for the 2nd stage, I get not showing the satellites, but not showing the 2nd stage nozzle is simply silly.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Well you could see it from the first stage's interstage camera when it lit. but yeah, I can't imagine what they would be hiding - it's not like the trajectory isn't known for the 2nd stage, I get not showing the satellites, but not showing the 2nd stage nozzle is simply silly.

Does it matter? We’ve seen it lots of times. SpaceX is just going above and beyond for their customer so everyone feels comfortable and there couldn’t be any mistakes. It is easy enough to press the wrong button when doing a live video production, so best to eliminate that possibility.

 

[Grendal]

Space Development Agency’s missile warning satellites transmit first images

Space Development Agency’s missile warning satellites transmit first images

spacenews.com

The next set should launch this summer on a F9.