SpaceX F9v1.1 Launch: Orbcomm OG2, July 14, 2014 (finally!)

[chickensevil]

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...)

I mean that is late may... doesn't get much later than the 27th! So it is likely to be true!

 

[rabar10]

OK, earliest launch date is now approx. June 10th, according to NSF forum posts.

Some repairs are needed to the F9v1.1 first stage after the last static fire attempt -- someone mentioned on Twitter that a component was removed from the rocket and sent back to CA for testing. Based on the initial reports after the static fire, most likely has to do with the helium subsystem on the rocket, which is used to pressurize the LOX and RP1 tanks as well as deploy the landing legs.

SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - ORBCOMM OG2 - Pre-LAUNCH UPDATES

 

[jerry33]

June 11 is official (at least until it changes again)

An update to SpaceX's launch manifest has occurred
	Orbcomm OG2 Launch 1 The launch of Orbcomm OG2 Launch 1 is now scheduled for 11 Jun 2014 00:00:00 UTC (was previously June). Visit SpaceX Stats for more information, to track SpaceX's progress via really large numbers, countdown to upcoming launches, and access resources from completed missions.

 

[rabar10]

Pushed back a day to June 12. Hope all goes well this time -- they need to get into a regular cadence of launches to start working through their manifest...

 

[rabar10]

Pushed back a day to June 12. Hope all goes well this time -- they need to get into a regular cadence of launches to start working through their manifest...

Less than a week away now, and the date is holding -- Thursday, June 12th at 9:07pm EDT. Orbcomm has a fancy countdown clock on their site: http://www.orbcomm.com/networks/og2-launch

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Now hearing that it's pushed back to the 15th of June. I swear I'll learn to just put the expected launch year in the thread titles...

 

[Mario Kadastik]

This is what Orbcomm posted:

The OG2 Mission 1 Launch is scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at 8:00 pm ET with Monday, June 16 as the back-up launch date.


During final integration on one of the OG2 spacecraft, we encountered a minor issue resulting in a few extra days of delay to perform precautionary steps to ensure there are no operational concerns with the satellite.


We intend to re-encapsulate the satellites this evening, with static test firing of the rocket scheduled for Thursday or Friday this week.

 

[Skotty]

When are they going to announce the next delay? They need to hurry up, there are only a few days left!

 

[Mario Kadastik]

Well the static fire is planned for tomorrow

 

[Skotty]

I'm just poking fun. In a way, it's somewhat nice this launch was delayed as it gave the folks trying to restore the first landing video more time to see their work realized. I think they need to try and wrap it up soon though, or at least put out a public best-effort-so-far video before the OG2 launch.

 

[Mario Kadastik]

Well you got what you asked for June 15th is off the menu.

ORBCOMM's 6 OG2 satellites were re-encapsulated on Wednesday, June 11, and we are proceeding toward a static test fire of the rocket on Friday, June 13.


All six satellites have completed additional testing and are functioning as expected. In an effort to be as cautious as possible, it was decided to perform further analysis to verify that the issue observed on one satellite during final integration has been fully addressed. The additional time to complete this analysis required us to postpone the OG2 Mission 1 Launch. We are working with SpaceX to identify the next available launch opportunity, and we will update the schedule shortly.

- - - Updated - - -

Ok, seems that they did the static fire successfully and now are targeting June 20: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/06/spacex-completes-falcon-9-static-fire-delays-launch/

 

[Skotty]

So what's the next launch after OG2? Because before long, it will be before OG2 and I'd like to be on the lookout for it.

 

[Mario Kadastik]

Next one should be AsiaSat 8, that has been delayed multiple times and is targeted for July. However it launches from the same SLC-40 pad as OG-2 so doubt the order swaps

 

[Skotty]

So...gonna update the thread title again? lol

 

[rabar10]

So...gonna update the thread title again? lol

*sigh*

 

[Mario Kadastik]

I see the thread title has gotten more conservative Now see them launch on time

 

[chickensevil]

I see the thread title has gotten more conservative Now see them launch on time

I don't know... we might get pushed into July at this rate, haha! Seriously, though, I hope this thing launches soon! I want to see what their next landing test looks like!!!

 

[Mario Kadastik]

Well it's Tuesday so there's still time for another delay, but the latest from Orbcomm is June 20th:

We are currently targeting launch of OG2 Mission 1 on Friday, June 20 at 6:08 pm ET at launch pad SLC-40 with a back-up date of Saturday, June 21.

 

[Grendal]

The weather doesn't look good for Friday's launch: 30% chance.

Forecast poor for SpaceX's Friday launch attempt

 

[doug]

Video: Orbcomm OG2 | Falcon 9 Satellite Launch

Orbcomm OG2 | Falcon 9 Satellite Launch - YouTube

 

[Grendal]

Ooo A countdown. SpaceX is getting serious this time around. They must be getting antsy to get those satellites into orbit.