SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - CRS-12 - LC-39A

[Grendal]

Launch date: Aug. 10
Launch time: 1807 GMT (2:07 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 14th Dragon spacecraft on the 12th operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 15, 1st Quarter, April 8 and June 1. [June 22]

It looks like the launch scheduling sites are leaving the launch location open in case SpaceX gets SLC-40 back up for this one. For now, the anticipated launch site is LC-39A though. It is also possible that the downtime will allow for the upgrade to Block 4 for this launch.

Unless something very strange occurs this will be a RTL for the booster.

SpaceX CRS-12 - Wikipedia

 

[Grendal]

CRS-12 has been pushed out to NET August 14th. Details to come as we get closer to the launch date.

 

[ggr]

CRS-12 has been pushed out to NET August 14th. Details to come as we get closer to the launch date.

Any hint why? (I could search myself, but don't do facebook, so you're my conduit...)

 

[Grendal]

Any hint why? (I could search myself, but don't do facebook, so you're my conduit...)

Sure. It looks like NASA re-prioritized the following launch in place of the CRS-12 August 10th launch:

Atlas 5 • TDRS M
Launch window: NET August 10
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-074, will launch the TDRS M communications and data relay satellite for NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) connects mission control with the International Space Station and other orbiting satellites. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Here's an article on it:
TDRS-M given priority over CRS-12 Dragon as launch dates realign | NASASpaceFlight.com

 

[ecarfan]

It looks like NASA re-prioritized the following launch in place of the CRS-12 August 10th launch

Making us SpaceX fans wait another 4 days during the current Falcon launch "drought"! Oh the agony...I got spoiled with the plethora of recent launches.

 

[Grendal]

Making us SpaceX fans wait another 4 days during the current Falcon launch "drought"! Oh the agony...I got spoiled with the plethora of recent launches.

The tragedy will be if there is a storm going through on the 14th. The article mentions that there will be a big delay if SpaceX doesn't launch on the 14th or 15th. The Russians are sending their cargo and it will block SpaceX from launching for a while. If that happens then we may get a repeat of the East/West coast back to back launches. Formosat 5 out of Vandenberg is tentatively scheduled for the 24th.

I prefer a nice two week pacing of launches rather than a bunch of them at once and then a long drought.

 

[ICUDoc]

Making us SpaceX fans wait another 4 days during the current Falcon launch "drought"! Oh the agony...I got spoiled with the plethora of recent launches.

I expect one on each weekend day, guys. What's the holdup??

 

[MitchMitch]

One!? Don't they have Launch facilities in California AND Florida?

 

[jkn]

One!? Don't they have Launch facilities in California AND Florida?

From California rockets can go only to polar (or nearly) orbits. Not so many of those.

 

[Grendal]

TDRS M has been pushed out so SpaceX has been pushed in,

August 13th.

Chris B - NSF on Twitter

Static Fire is now for the 8th.

 

[Grendal]

And pushed back out to Monday, August 14th....

Chris B - NSF on Twitter

SpaceX Falcon 9 (CRS-12) moving to NET August 14 - Static Fire Test moving to Thursday.

 

[Grendal]

Okay, if there are no more delays or issues:

Aug. 14 - Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 12
Launch time: 1631 GMT (12:31 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 14th Dragon spacecraft on the 12th operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will return to landing at Cape Canaveral few minutes after liftoff. Delayed from Dec. 15, 1st Quarter, April 8, June 1 and Aug. 10. Moved up from Aug. 14. Delayed from Aug. 13. [Aug. 9]

The static fire will happen tomorrow, Thursday.

 

[Grendal]

Static fire was successful.

SpaceX on Twitter

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting August 14 launch from Pad 39A for Dragon’s next resupply mission to the @Space_Station.

 

[Electroman]

Guess then SpaceX is all set for Monday landing

 

[Grendal]

Weather is pretty good at a 70% chance for Monday. The backup day is Tuesday and it has the same 70% chance.

 

[Grendal]

Pre-flight update:

The science payloads that CRS-12 will be carrying:

 

[Grendal]

NASA's pre-launch conference with Hans Koenigsmann:

What's on board? Science briefing:

 

[Grendal]

The launch webcast is up:

 

[Nikxice]

What a great shot of the cape during the booster descent. Landing was dead center. Just Awesome!

 

[Grendal]

100% success for all elements. The remaining element is for Dragon to maneuver and dock with the ISS. That will happen early Wednesday.