Rocket Launch notification thread

[MartG]

Beati Dogu said:

I love how even ULA will resort to turning it off and turning it back on again.

Next step was to have some bloke wander down to the pad and kick it

[Beati Dogu]

The good old "American screwdriver".


Go!

I like when these rockets ripple jettison their boosters. Glad they're keeping them on Vulcan.

[Eric Mc]

Go for the mo.

[Beati Dogu]

This is the first "Space Force" launch.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Thursday 26th March 20:25

[MartG]

Close !

"Large chunks of a Chinese rocket missed New York City by about 15 minutes"

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/05/large-chun...

[Beati Dogu]

They're really on a roll at the moment.


Meanwhile in Florida, there's a likely double header this weekend:

First up, on Saturday, is the US Air Force's mini-Shuttle the Boeing X-37B riding on an Atlas V 501 rocket.

The exact time is classified, but around 1.00 pm - 2.30pm UK time (8:00-10:30 a.m. EDT).



It has a new section attached behind it apparently, but that too is classified, so the photos are cropped to hide it.



If that gets away OK. SpaceX have another Starlink launch (Starlink-7) from the neighbouring pad 40 on Sunday.

This is at 8.53 am UK time (3.53 a.m. EDT).

It'll be this booster's 5th flight. (B1049)

Edit: Static fire now done.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Wednesday 13th May 22:14

[MartG]

Beati Dogu said:

It has a new section attached behind it apparently, but that too is classified, so the photos are cropped to hide it.

A bit more than the usual payload adapter then

[Beati Dogu]

Yes, the Air Force says they're flying it with a "service module":

"This will be the first X-37B mission to use a service module to host experiments. The service module is an attachment to the aft of the vehicle that allows additional experimental payload capability to be carried to orbit.

This sixth mission is a big step for the X-37B program," said Mr. Randy Walden, Director and Program Executive Officer for the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. "This will be the first X-37B mission to use a service module to host experiments. The incorporation of a service module on this mission enables us to continue to expand the capabilities of the spacecraft and host more experiments than any of the previous missions.""

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2177702/ne...

[MartG]

Link for tomorrow's Atlas V X-37B launch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWc1DHxWfs

[Beati Dogu]

ULA loaded the Atlas V with RP-1 fuel yesterday (the advantage of not super cooling it like SpaceX).

The weather isn't looking that great for Saturday though (Only 40% favourable, due to ground winds and cumulus clouds), but it's better on Sunday (80% favourable). They don't like launching with cumulus clouds close by, due to the risk of lightning. The rocket's hot, ionized exhaust can trigger a flash that could mess it up.

If the Atlas V gets delayed, it'll have a knock on effect on the SpaceX launch too. The weather is continuing to improve on Monday anyway, so that may not be a bad thing. It's a bit choppy out at the landing zone though, so that may cause SpaceX to call it off. They can't keep delaying it however. They need that drone ship back home & out there again for the 27th May, for the Demo-2 flight.

Unless the other drone ship is ready to go out now.

Edit: Atlas V targeting 8:24amEDT (1224 UTC) for liftoff. So 1.24 pm UK time.

Time now declassified as you can’t really hide a rocket launch.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Saturday 16th May 12:06

[tobinen]

Next window for launch now 15:13 BST

[anonymous-user]

tobinen said:

Next window for launch now 15:13 BST

15:23 now?

[anonymous-user]

Weather not good enough at the moment apparently

[anonymous-user]

Delayed 24 hrs due weather.

[Beati Dogu]

I thought that would probably happen, but at least they tried. Tomorrow looks much better anyway.

SpaceX are going to try on Monday now at 8:32 am UK time (3:32 am EDT).


There's a tropical low off the east coast of central Florida currently that may develop into something more serious. Possible the first hurricane of the season. If so, they'll call it Arthur.

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

[Beati Dogu]

“Due to a tropical depression developing off the Southeast Coast of the U.S., now targeting Tuesday, May 19 at 3:10 a.m. EDT for the Starlink mission“

- SpaceX

[Beati Dogu]

Atlas V and X-37B launched OK.

It sure takes off sluggishly with no solid boosters attached. I thought I was watching in slow motion.

[MartG]

Beati Dogu said:

Atlas V and X-37B launched OK.

It sure takes off sluggishly with no solid boosters attached. I thought I was watching in slow motion.

Yes - I nearly thought there was an issue it was that slow off the pad

[Beati Dogu]

You can see why high ground winds are a concern. There's potential to push the rocket into the tower.

[Baron Greenback]

Sorry if already linked, looked back a few!

Skyrora conducts the first space rocket test in Britain for 50 years

https://newatlas.com/space/skyrora-first-space-roc...

https://youtu.be/loCFTpyvKjw

The Skylark L is a suborbital rocket designed to deliver 60 kg (132 lb) payloads to an altitude of about 100 km (62 mi) as part of Skyrora's development of its larger Skyrora XL, which will carry satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).