As of November 24 the launch date was set to be December 20. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/ Anyone know if this has been pushed back as a result of the delays with SES-8?
Don't suppose you would have a source for any of this unofficial speculation? - - - Updated - - - Have only been able to find the following from a November 12 entry. www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/spacex-crs-3-dragon-spacesuit-relay/ "It was previously understood that minimum separation of one month (30 days) was required between launches, and with the Christmas holidays coming into play, resulting in Thaicom-6's launch was deemed to be “highly likely” to move into a January launch window. "However, SpaceX have since responded, noting they are still targeting a December 20 NET for the Thaicom-6 launch, which points to another feather in the cap of SpaceX, based on an extraordinary ability to turn around their Cape site for two launches in quick succession."
SpaceX hopes to launch another commercial satellite from the Cape before the year is out, for Thaicom. And even: Musk said SpaceX might try to recover that rocket's first stage from the ocean, depending in part on data collected during the SES-8 mission. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/12/04/spacex-launch-successful/3866655/ But I agree with rabar10, it highly unlikely that SpaceX would try to squeeze Thaicom 6 launch attempt before year end.
If they can pull off a 2.5 week turnaround time and deliver another successful launch, then this is extremely impressive. Consider that they did a post-ignition abort and were ready to relaunch within 50 minutes. They only aborted due to being paranoid. Then they didn't lower the rocket, but kept it upright and successfully launched the next time with perfect trajectory and mission execution. If they now turn around the launch pad in 2.5 weeks and relaunch, then this is already extremely impressive.
Thank you for that. I had completely missed that. Though not sure if that is based on any new information, or just usa today recycling old information? I thought maybe rabar10 had a reliable source for his speculation, is all.
Falcon 9 v1.1 successfully lofts SES-8 in milestone launch | NASASpaceFlight.com "One more Falcon 9 launch is currently planned before the end of the year, with a Falcon 9 v1.1 scheduled to deploy the Thaicom 6 communications satellite. That flight is currently scheduled for no earlier than 20 December - along this date is highly like to slip." (along with several comments in the forums there, noting that it would be remarkable for SpaceX to do a 20-day turnaround on the pad)
Speculation over on Reddit that 2013 might still be on for Thaicom, though it might slip to between Christmas and New Years: http://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/1s57z0/looking_ahead_what_is_the_plan_for_thaicom_6/
Info in a recent NasaSpaceFlight article (wrapping up SES-8) pointing to Thaicomm launch early January, though still no official confirmation. "While the launch date {for Thaicomm} has not yet been made official, the NET (No Earlier Than) date in the third week of December is likely to slip, not least because the Eastern Range will be under maintenance for a week, beginning December 20. The Range also shows no launches are booked to take place throughout the remainder of December."
In case someone missed, QUOTE: both the satellite and the First and Second stages have arrived at Cape Canaveral
No date set yet according to: Space bits: SpaceX in shuttle pad talks; ISS spacewalks delay Orbital launch - WacoTrib.com: Joe Science
SpaceX Thaicom-6 communications satellite launch set for Dec. 31 http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/joe_science/spacex-satellite-launch-set-for-dec/article_b31d65b4-6822-11e3-9f40-001a4bcf887a.html Can the OP update the thread title with new date?
SpaceX has not officially confirmed this date yet -- I changed it to TBD and will update it once confirmed.
Looks like the Dec. 31 NET might have been pushed to Jan 2014 according to this discussion board: http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=32795
Thanks! - - - Updated - - - http://www.americaspace.com/?p=47039 - - - Updated - - - http://www.wacotrib.com/blogs/joe_science/next-spacex-launch-moved-to-jan/article_0e367922-69bd-11e3-aae0-0019bb2963f4.html
Looking good for a SPACEX FALCON 9 launch for Jan 3rd Very Cool: SEE THE LAUNCH FROM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests may view the dusk launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the closest possible public viewing area, or special areas at the Visitor Complex. http://spacecoastdaily.com/2013/12/spacex-falcon-9-launch-set-for-jan-3/
Detailed article about the upcoming launch. SpaceX had a successful Static Test Fire which is a prerequisite to their launch on January 3rd. SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 conducts Static Fire test ahead of Thaicom-6 launch | NASASpaceFlight.com
Launch window opens tomorrow at 5:05pm, and the weather should cooperate. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140101/SPACE/301010018/Weather-looks-good-SpaceX-launch Couple of observations: - This will be the fastest turnaround on the same launch pad that SpaceX has done thus far - No issues or schedule changes resulted from the Static Fire this time, so from the outside looking in everything looks good to go - Seems like they are being pretty tight-lipped about this launch (though their site is currently claiming that they already launched it in 2013, oops: Launch Manifest | SpaceX)
Plus minus couple days - who cares? Or might be webmaster had a severe hangover after New Year party...