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Forum:	Commercial Space - Military Space
Topic:	SpaceX Falcon 9/SES-9 and droneship attempt

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Your Reply: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	[QUOTE]Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: [B]SES release <blockquote><font size="+0">[b]SES-9 Launch Targeting Late February[/b]</font> <div align="justify">SES S.A. announced Monday (Feb. 8) that it is targeting a Feb. 24, 2016 launch date (with a backup date of the 25th) for its new satellite, SES-9. This date was mutually set by [URL=http://www.ses.com]SES[/URL] and the launch operator for SES-9, [URL=http://www.spacex.com]SpaceX[/URL], the Hawthorne, California based company that designs, manufactures and launches the Falcon 9 rocket and other spacecraft. SpaceX is currently completing an extended series of testing and pre-flight validation in advance of the SES-9 launch, which will take place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. In order to minimize the impact of moving the launch from late last year, SpaceX is supporting a mission modification. The changed mission will reduce the time needed for SES-9 to reach its orbital slot, keeping the Operational Service Date (OSD) in the third quarter of 2016, as previously foreseen. SES-9 will be positioned at 108.2 degrees East and provide both replacement and incremental capacity for a video neighborhood over Asia which already serves over 22 million households with high quality broadcast solutions. The spacecraft will be co-located with SES-7 and increases SES's global video capabilities to serve fast-growing markets in Asia, including South Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The spacecraft is also designed to deliver reliable data connectivity to homes and enterprises across Asia, and provides dedicated beams to support growing mobility communications needs across the Indian Ocean. SES-9 is part of a fleet investment program that supports SES's strategy to further globalize its services and grow its offer in the dynamic emerging markets. Along with six other spacecraft under construction, this program will increase SES's satellite capacity for emerging markets by 21 percent by end of 2018. SES-9 was built by Boeing Satellite Systems and is designed to operate for 15 years in geosynchronous orbit with a 12.7-kilowatt payload and 57 high-power Ku-band transponders (equivalent to 81 by 36 MHz transponders). SES-9 will use a chemical bi-propellant apogee motor to quickly achieve a 24 hour synchronous orbit and then electric propulsion to circularize the final orbit and to remove eccentricity at 36,000 kilometers over the equator. Subsequent on-orbit maneuvers will be executed with electric propulsion.</div></blockquote>[/B][/QUOTE]
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<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="600"><TR><td bgcolor="#000000"><TABLE BORDER=0 cellpadding=4 border=0 cellspacing=1 WIDTH="100%"><TR bgcolor="#660000"><TD COLSPAN=2><CENTER>T O P I C     R E V I E W</CENTER></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>SES release <blockquote>SES-9 Launch Targeting Late February<div align="justify">SES S.A. announced Monday (Feb. 8) that it is targeting a Feb. 24, 2016 launch date (with a backup date of the 25th) for its new satellite, SES-9. This date was mutually set by <A HREF="http://www.ses.com" TARGET=_blank>SES</A> and the launch operator for SES-9, <A HREF="http://www.spacex.com" TARGET=_blank>SpaceX</A>, the Hawthorne, California based company that designs, manufactures and launches the Falcon 9 rocket and other spacecraft. SpaceX is currently completing an extended series of testing and pre-flight validation in advance of the SES-9 launch, which will take place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.In order to minimize the impact of moving the launch from late last year, SpaceX is supporting a mission modification. The changed mission will reduce the time needed for SES-9 to reach its orbital slot, keeping the Operational Service Date (OSD) in the third quarter of 2016, as previously foreseen.SES-9 will be positioned at 108.2 degrees East and provide both replacement and incremental capacity for a video neighborhood over Asia which already serves over 22 million households with high quality broadcast solutions. The spacecraft will be co-located with SES-7 and increases SES's global video capabilities to serve fast-growing markets in Asia, including South Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The spacecraft is also designed to deliver reliable data connectivity to homes and enterprises across Asia, and provides dedicated beams to support growing mobility communications needs across the Indian Ocean.SES-9 is part of a fleet investment program that supports SES's strategy to further globalize its services and grow its offer in the dynamic emerging markets. Along with six other spacecraft under construction, this program will increase SES's satellite capacity for emerging markets by 21 percent by end of 2018.SES-9 was built by Boeing Satellite Systems and is designed to operate for 15 years in geosynchronous orbit with a 12.7-kilowatt payload and 57 high-power Ku-band transponders (equivalent to 81 by 36 MHz transponders). SES-9 will use a chemical bi-propellant apogee motor to quickly achieve a 24 hour synchronous orbit and then electric propulsion to circularize the final orbit and to remove eccentricity at 36,000 kilometers over the equator. Subsequent on-orbit maneuvers will be executed with electric propulsion.</div></blockquote></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>Ground firing of the Falcon 9 has not taken place apparently. So there might be a push back on the launch date.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>According to Chris Bergin <A HREF="http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39348.msg1493746#msg1493746" TARGET=_blank>on NASA Spaceflight</A>, the static fire will be on Monday and (assuming it goes as planned) the launch will still be on Wednesday (Feb. 24).</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>From SpaceX on Twitter: <BLOCKQUOTE>Full-duration static fire completed. Targeting Wednesday for launch of SES-9 satellite.</BLOCKQUOTE> <center><a href="http://www.collectspace.com/review/spacex_falcon9_ses9staticfire01-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="http://www.collectspace.com/review/spacex_falcon9_ses9staticfire01.jpg" width="400" height="227" border="0"></a></center>The launch window on Wednesday (Feb. 24) extends from 6:26 p.m. to 8:23 p.m. EST (1126 to 0123 GMT). The weather forecast predicts a 60 percent change of favorable conditions, with the concerns being cumulus and thick cloud layers and winds. The forecast improves to 80 percent favorable on Thursday.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>According to SpaceX it is very unlikely that Falcon 9 will perform a successful landing due to changes to trajectory and other factors.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>Falcon 9 launch is delayed for a day due to weather. SpaceX: <BLOCKQUOTE>Team opting to hold launch for today. Looking to try again tomorrow; window also opens at 6:46 p.m. ET. Rocket and spacecraft remain healthy.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by OV3Discovery: Falcon 9 launch is delayed for a day due to weather.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Further from SpaceX, it was not a weather scrub: <BLOCKQUOTE>The Falcon 9 remains healthy in advance of SpaceX and SES’s mission to deliver the SES-9 satellite to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. Out of an abundance of caution, the team opted to hold launch for today to ensure liquid oxygen temperatures are as cold as possible in an effort to maximize performance of the vehicle.SpaceX is now targeting tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 25, at 6:46pm ET for launch of SES-9.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>Scrub on today's launch opportunity.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>Falcon 9 flight no earlier than Sunday.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>From SES: <BLOCKQUOTE>SES and SpaceX are now targeting to launch #SES9 on Sunday, 28 February, at 6.46pm ET, with a backup date on Monday, 29 February!</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>Abort! At just about T-0, during engine startup, the Falcon 9's computer declared an abort and engine cutoff. <BLOCKQUOTE>Ignition sequence aborted in final seconds of countdown; update pending from launch team after data review.</BLOCKQUOTE> The launch attempt had earlier been delayed to 7:21 p.m. EDT (0021 GMT) due to a boat straying into the hazard area. <BLOCKQUOTE>Launch aborted on low thrust alarm. Rising oxygen temps due to hold for boat and helium bubble triggered alarm.</BLOCKQUOTE> SpaceX has scrubbed tonight's launch attempt. A new date has yet to be set.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>45th Space Wing release <BLOCKQUOTE>A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SES-9 payload was aborted at Space Launch Complex 40 prior to liftoff at 7:21 p.m. EST. Following the abort, the launch then officially scrubbed at 7:34 p.m. EST and the range will begin evaluating new launch dates from the customer no earlier than 48 hours from Feb. 28, 2016.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>dabolton</TD><TD>Musk is saying the droneship landing success is iffy based on the trajectory, etc. Why dont they just move the droneship farther out to sea to increase the odds of a successful landing?</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>The droneship is further out to sea. The problem isn't the targeting, but the amount of fuel that will remain when the Falcon begins its final approach. The first stage is expected to expend almost all of its propellant reserves by lofting the SES-9 satellite and then braking and reentering the atmosphere.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>SpaceX will target 6:35 p.m. EST (2335 GMT) on Tuesday (March 1) for its next launch attempt of the SES-9 satellite. The window remains open until 8:05 p.m.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>For anyone wondering, the vessel that caused the range violation on Sunday was a tug boat moving a barge.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>OV3Discovery</TD><TD>Today's launch has been scrubbed due to violating upper level winds. Launch is pushed back to Friday. Elon Musk: <BLOCKQUOTE>Pushing launch to Friday due to extreme high altitude wind shear. Hits like a sledgehammer when going up supersonic.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>Tonight's (March 4) launch window opens at 6:35 p.m. EST (2335 GMT).</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>Successful launch: the second stage and SES-9 satellite reached Earth orbit and is now in a 17-minute coast phase.Video from the drone ship cut out just as the first stage was approaching. Waiting on word on the outcome of the landing attempt.<center><iframe width="400" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/muDPSyO7-A0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Robert Pearlman

Good second stage re-light and burn.

Second stage re-light complete. Awaiting satellite deploy.

Robert Pearlman

SES-9 satellite deployed. From Elon Musk:

Target altitude of 40,600 km achieved. Thanks @SES_Satellites for riding on Falcon 9! Looking forward to future missions.

Robert Pearlman

The first stage landing attempt was unsuccessful. From Elon Musk:

Rocket landed hard on the droneship. Didn't expect this one to work (very hot reentry), but next flight has a good chance.

David Carey

It's a shame that many of the initial headlines emphasized the known-troublesome drone ship landing over the successful deployment.

'FAIL', 'Flubbed', 'Botched', 'Fails for fourth time'. I guess negativity sells but it would be nice to see more balanced coverage (which some articles certainly provided).

Congrats to SpaceX.

OV3Discovery

True, most articles focused on the landing attempt than the deployment of SES-9 it self.

OV3Discovery

Drone ship has returned to Cape Canaveral with what is left of Falcon 9.

SpaceX confirmed to Florida Today that the ship was towed into Port Canaveral this morning.
The high-resolution photos of the unmanned ship show what appears to be charred debris scattered across its surface.

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