SpaceX Prepared for 'Most Difficult Launch Ever' - STP-2 FH launch

[Grendal]

SpaceX is preparing for a Falcon Heavy mission today that Elon Musk calls the company’s “most difficult launch ever.” The STP-2 mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:30 p.m. ET. Deployments will begin approximately 12 minutes after liftoff and end approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes after liftoff. Falcon Heavy’s...

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[HankLloydRight]

I'm in!

 

[Grendal]

video of the action by SpaceX:

 

[e-FTW]

video of the action by SpaceX:

Wow, that is a lot! I think I saw two re-lights of the second stage. Would that be a first for SpaceX?

And it ends with a “Propulsive Passivation”. Had never heard that before, so the Interwebs to the rescue:

“Passivation” is an important part of the end-of-life disposal of a space system to avert the risk of spacecraft break-up that could result in debris scattering. With passivation, all the stored energy of a spacecraft or orbital stage that is left in the propulsive and in the power systems is used up to prevent accidental post-mission explosions. Passivation measures may include depletion burns, venting of fuel tanks and other pressure vessels, discharging of batteries, and inhibition of pyro devices.

Source: Space Debris Mitigation

 

[Andrejun]

I’d love to make this launch.
How crammed up is the supercharger network around Falcon Heavy launches?

 

[Earl.detty]

I’d love to make this launch.
How crammed up is the supercharger network around Falcon Heavy launches?

Honestly I thought this year would be worse with so many 3’s out now, but we had less people at chargers this year than last year. Port orange was about 16 cars deep last year on our way out. This year we only had to wait 5 mins an got a charger.

 

[NoirMS]

I’d love to make this launch.
How crammed up is the supercharger network around Falcon Heavy launches?

not bad if you can come through Orlando...
the 14 stall charger is east side of downtown and closest to space coast...
these are your options in Orlando...

 

[e-FTW]

Today, SpaceFlightNow listed this as NET June 22.

 

[bxr140]

And it ends with a “Propulsive Passivation”. Had never heard that before, so the Interwebs to the rescue:

Yeah, its sort of the equivalent of speeding up toward the end of a supercharged leg to use up more energy.

Barely related, in the future look for orbiting tankers to siphon off remaining propellant from dead assets for refueling of other assets.

 

[Snerruc]

I’d love to make this launch.
How crammed up is the supercharger network around Falcon Heavy launches?

You can stop by my house for all the electrons you need. Pm me.

 

[Sparky]

Today, SpaceFlightNow listed this as NET June 22.

Early morning, roughly 3am-5am.
If so, that should reduce the crowds a bit. But those 4 re-entry booms are gonna wake up some folks.

 

[Grendal]

Time frame for launch added.

 

[HVM]

"SpaceX's Falcon Heavy center core, powering SMC's STP-2 mission, arrived near Launch Complex-39A" AF SMC‏

 

[Grendal]

Moved to the 24th

 

[rowing guy]

Are you folks meeting up somewhere? I would love to get in on this.

 

[Sparky]

Moved to the 24th

ULA launch for USAF on the 27th. So, if STP-2 doesn't go off on 24,25 it will likely slip to end of June since range etc has to be secured again. I'm def going if on 24th. Not sure about later.

 

[Grendal]

STP-2 Mission
Elon has said that this will be the most difficult launch to date.
SpaceX Twitter: Static fire of Falcon Heavy complete—targeting June 24 launch of STP-2 from Launch Complex 39A in Florida

 

[ICUDoc]

Elon has said that this will be the most difficult launch to date.

Most difficult launch or most difficult landing, Grendal?
(Welcome back, btw)

 

[Grendal]

Most difficult launch or most difficult landing, Grendal?
(Welcome back, btw)

I'm guessing both. The launch for the complexity of the payload and the scrutiny the military will be giving the process. The landing because it will be the farthest and fastest booster recovery yet: the center booster, that is, not the side boosters.

And thanks, good to be back. Just in time for this big important launch.

70% go for weather according to the 45th.

 

[Electroman]

is it the payload weight, or the trajectory that makes this complex?

Is this launch also carrying the Bill Nye's mini 'Light Sail' satellite to go beyond Earth and towards other planets. Alteast that was the plan for the 2nd launch, but not sure if that happened.