Rocket Launch notification thread
Discussion
The first Block 5 Falcon 9 is gearing up for launch on Thursday - from approx 9 pm UK time (4 pm local). The weather is looking good for it.
This is from Pad 39a, which they've not used since the Falcon Heavy back in February.
They'll try to land it on the drone ship, which is on its way out to sea currently.
This is from Pad 39a, which they've not used since the Falcon Heavy back in February.
They'll try to land it on the drone ship, which is on its way out to sea currently.
Antares launch to space station this morning - using the Wallops Island launch site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3niFzo5VLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3niFzo5VLI
Well I didn't watch it, but the Falcon 9 launched & deployed the big SES-12 satellite without a hitch.
The block 4 first stage was to be sacrificed anyway, but the more powerful block 5 second stage did its job well too.
They placed the satellite in such a good orbit that they reckon it will have about 7 years extra life due to not having to use so much of its own fuel to get into position.
Bit of a sop for Arianespace, who messed up the launch of SES-14 back in January, releasing it into a much lower orbit than planned. That was found to be caused by putting the wrong coordinates in the Ariane 5's guidance system and no one in quality control picking it up. Not the first time something like that's happened and probably not the last.
The block 4 first stage was to be sacrificed anyway, but the more powerful block 5 second stage did its job well too.
They placed the satellite in such a good orbit that they reckon it will have about 7 years extra life due to not having to use so much of its own fuel to get into position.
Bit of a sop for Arianespace, who messed up the launch of SES-14 back in January, releasing it into a much lower orbit than planned. That was found to be caused by putting the wrong coordinates in the Ariane 5's guidance system and no one in quality control picking it up. Not the first time something like that's happened and probably not the last.
Over in New Zealand they're soon to launch an Electron rocket with 3 satellites onboard...
Launch time is no earlier than 12:50 pm NZST (1:50 am UK time) & coverage starts about 20 mins before hand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOG-pQ4aJhE
Launch time is no earlier than 12:50 pm NZST (1:50 am UK time) & coverage starts about 20 mins before hand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOG-pQ4aJhE
RobDickinson said:
Beati Dogu said:
Are you anywhere near the launch site?
No, totally wrong island :/They were going to launch just down the road but nimby's got them
The cats probably wouldn't like it though..
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XtfSAM6ruXE
They're going to have another go at launching the Electron rocket later.
The launch window opens at 2.30 pm NZST (3.20 am UK time) and runs for 4 hrs.
https://t.co/RyD0mD6yVf
I love the way it dumps its batteries on the way up. The engines' pumps are battery powered, which is pretty unique.
The launch window opens at 2.30 pm NZST (3.20 am UK time) and runs for 4 hrs.
https://t.co/RyD0mD6yVf
I love the way it dumps its batteries on the way up. The engines' pumps are battery powered, which is pretty unique.
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