Twitter / pbdes: Orbcomm CEO: Our SpaceX launch, ... edit: can a mod please correct the spelling of Orbcomm for me in the thread title? Thanks!
Got it. More info on why 6 sats on this first launch, and 11 sats on the later launch in this article: With 17 Satellites Slated To Launch in 2014, Orbcomm Eyes Larger Share of M2M Market | SpaceNews.com
Interesting tidbit from the article: "Rochelle Park, N.J.-based Orbcomm originally expected the second-generation constellation to be operational sometime in 2011. The launches have been successively delayed for multiple reasons, the latest being the availability of the SpaceX Falcon 9. Industry officials have said Orbcomm secured the SpaceX launches, originally aboard smaller Falcon 1 rockets before that vehicle was retired, at an exceptionally low price, leaving the company little alternative but to wait its turn on Falcon 9."
I should have my MS by then, I am only 140+ miles from KSC, any up for a meet up to view this launch?
So this is the next launch. The current schedule indicates only that it's due in May 2014, but any details on more concrete time slots? I'm guessing the rocket manufacturing didn't get impacted by the delays even though the launch site is also at Cape. Any clues as to when they can move ahead with it. And I sure hope they don't spray water at this launch so that the rocket goes nice and clean not dirty like in the CRS-3 launch
According to their website, the launch is now scheduled for May 17-25, 2014. http://www.orbcomm.com/networks/og2-launch
The Orbcomm website has an update posted April 22,2014: http://www.orbcomm.com/networks/og2-launch Based on this next thread at nasaspaceflight.com I'm lead to believe that the Orbcomm dates are the most recent and most accurate SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Orbcomm OG2- TBD - DISCUSSION THREAD edit: Maybe a mod can change the thread title to: date TBD
All those launch dates are in May. Any news of whether there will be any testing for reusability on this flight? Will the F9 have landing legs attached for this launch?
I changed it to state May after I saw his post :biggrin: AFAIK all future flights will have landing legs, and unless the payload requirements and previous customer agreements dictate a fully-expendable launch, SpaceX will reserve propellant to complete 1st stage return testing on each launch from here on out.
Launch date set for this Saturday. May 10, 9:39AM. NASA Rocket Launch & Viewing Information | Kennedy Space Center Anyone want to take bets on a delay? SpaceX has not once launched on schedule to date.
What's with the negative waves? It's a mother beautiful launch and it's gonna happen. Have a little faith, baby. Negative Waves Scenes from Kellys Heroes Movie - YouTube
Never rush a rocket launch. That's how you get a Challenger disaster. It's better to have a spacecraft on orbit late, then have it in 10,000 pieces earlier.
So the static fire was cancelled on Thursday due to some issues with umbilical as reported by NASA spaceflight. The test should be conducted on Friday i.e. today and at least for now there is no indication that the Saturday launch would be postponed. The secondary launch window is on Sunday just a few minutes earlier than on Saturday. SpaceX move Falcon 9 Static Fire test to Friday | NASASpaceFlight.com
Only one or two days between the static fire test and the launch? That faster than they've ever done before. I'd bet SpaceX is pushing the envelope to make things happen at a faster pace. They've said they want to get the prep for launch down to one hour. I'm sure they are still focused on everything being safe and spaceworthy, but they still are trying hard to improve their timetables. You gotta love these people. Go SpaceX.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v1.1 – tasked lofting six ORBCOMM OG2 satellites into orbit – scrubbed her second attempt at a Static Fire test on Friday. Thursday’s Static Fire was postponed following problems with umbilical connections between the SLC-40 pad and the rocket. Friday’s issue is unspecified but is likely to result in SpaceX delaying the launch that was set for Saturday. SpaceX move Falcon 9 Static Fire test to Friday | NASASpaceFlight.com
nasaspaceflight.com I blame jdevo2004 for being a storm crow (pahanilmanlintu -> for jinxing it ) and bad plumbing at SLC-40.
Updated launch date/time: Tuesday, May 27 at 3:27 am EDT Rocket Launch Viewing at Cape Canaveral: Where & How to Watch, View and See Delta 4, Atlas 5 & Falcon 9 Launches (not an official source, not sure if this is 100%, but written as if it's not just speculation...)