SpaceX Falcon 9 FT launch - Eutelsat 117 West B + ABS 2A - SLC-40

[Grendal]

Next up:

Launch time: Approx. 1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, June 16th (without any more delays)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Eutelsat 117 West B and ABS 2A communications satellites. Eutelsat 117 West B will provide Latin America with video, data, government, and mobile services for Paris-based Eutelsat. ABS 2A will distribute direct-to-home television, mobile and maritime communications services across Russia, India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region for Asia Broadcast Satellite of Bermuda and Hong Kong. Built by Boeing, the satellites will launch in a conjoined configuration and will use all-electric propulsion for orbit-raising. Delayed from 4th quarter 2015, March, April, May 3 and late May. [May 19]

Another ASDS landing on OCISLY will be attempted. The Falcon 9 rocket for this launch arrived at the Cape yesterday.

The next, on land, landing will be attempted with CRS-9 in July.

 

[Matt Stanley]

The launch date has been changed to June 14 @ 10:32am (Source: @SpaceX on twitter)

 

[Grendal]

As noted by Matt Stanley, the launch date has been moved up to Tuesday, June 14th (Flag Day) with a time frame of 1432-1517 GMT (10:32-11:17 a.m. EDT).

The ASDS (OCISLY) has left port this morning in preparation of an anticipated landing attempt. Weather permitting, this should be an easier attempt than the last two GTO launches.

Update edit:
ULA has a delayed launch of their NROL 35 which will likely impact the SpaceX launch since the Cape has a 48 hour turnaround. To stay on the timetable the Delta IV launch must succeed tomorrow (unlikely due to weather issues) for SpaceX to get their Tuesday launch.

 

[TI Sailor]

Are overcast skies considered weather issues?

 

[Grendal]

Are overcast skies considered weather issues?

The simple answer is yes, maybe. There is a very detailed and internal metric that determines whether it is safe to launch or not. You could even have clear skies but the wind is too strong at higher altitudes that would cause a scrub.

 

[SOLARUSA]

Are overcast skies considered weather issues?

Here is most of what you might want to know about the Falcon 9 Launch commit criteria:

https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/649911main_051612_falcon9_weather_criteria.pdf

 

[Grendal]

The static fire test was delayed because of the weather delayed Delta IV launch (it did get launched today) and so the launch has been bumped to Wednesday. Weather is an 80% chance to be favorable.

 

[Grendal]

Static Fire test successful. Still on for Wednesday.

 

[Davp99]

Go SpaceX

 

[GoTslaGo]

EUTELSAT and ABS | SpaceX

Webcast for tomorrow (1029am EST)

 

[miimura]

Live streams for the Technical and Hosted Webcasts are also scheduled and visible on the SpaceX YouTube Channel.

 

[Grendal]

As mentioned and linked by GoTslaGo and miimura, here are the direct videos:
Hosted:

Technical:

Sadly, I might miss it since I have a Vet appointment 30 minutes before launch for my puppy.

 

[Gerasimental]

SpaceX about to launch ball-earth propaganda again. T-1 minute!

 

[hockeythug]

Looked like one of the landing legs was completely on fire.

 

[Nikxice]

Everyone holding their breath. Landing video froze. Is it upright? Stay tuned!

 

[Vitold]

Photoshop crashed!

 

[Yonki]

"Conjoined Triangles of Success!" - Best Silicon Valley reference worked into a rocket launch I've heard yet...

 

[xmetal]

"Conjoined Triangles of Success!" - Best Silicon Valley reference worked into a rocket launch I've heard yet...

HAHA, it took me a bit to remember where I'd heard that, but yes that was quite amusing. Looks like no one knows if the first stage made it or not. I thought I saw a frame of it standing pretty close to the bullseye, but hard to say if it was able to stay that way. Either way, these launches are really exciting to watch!

 

[Grendal]

Boo. Lost the first stage. It looked like a good landing but maybe one of the legs didn't hold up properly. We'll get more details later.

 

[Nikxice]

The only thing guaranteed is that once the media has the video footage they'll be sure to play it 5 times more than the previous landing successes.