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Launch data...subject to change...sun synchronous orbit ride share organized by Spaceflight Industries.

 

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Nov. 19 Falcon 9 • Spaceflight SSO-A

 

Launch time: 1832 GMT (1:32 p.m. EST; 10:32 a.m. PST)


Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with Spaceflight’s SSO-A rideshare mission, a stack of satellites heading into sun-synchronous polar orbit. Numerous small payloads will be launched on this mission for nearly 50 government and commercial organizations from 16 countries, including the United States, Australia, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Thailand. Delayed from July. [Oct. 25]

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

 

 

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Later this year, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch its biggest batch of satellites yet

 

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The epic satellite rideshare was coordinated and brokered by Spaceflight Industries — a company dedicated to finding launch “real estate” for small satellites that need to get into space.

 

Spaceflight has become a go-to resource for many small satellite manufacturers, as they have limited options for getting their hardware into orbit. Huge rockets like the Falcon 9 or Atlas V are typically far too big and expensive to send a handful of tiny satellites into space. For the last decade, these companies have only really had just two options: launch their satellites as cargo to the International Space Station, where they are later deployed, or hitch a ride on the flight of a larger satellite.

 

SPACEFLIGHT BOUGHT THIS ENTIRE FALCON 9 VEHICLE OUTRIGHT IN 2015, AND HAS SINCE BEEN FILLING UP THE LAUNCH MANIFEST

 

Spaceflight will work with manufacturers to find extra room on rockets that are already scheduled to launch bigger payloads into orbit. The company will then figure out a way to help integrate those small satellites into the mission, so that multiple payloads can go up at once. So far, Spaceflight has found rides for more than 140 different satellites on multiple launch vehicles. 

 

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The difference with this upcoming Falcon 9 flight from other rideshares is that Spaceflight bought this entire Falcon 9 vehicle outright in 2015, and has been filling up the launch manifest ever since.

 

Now, a total of 71 satellites are scheduled to fly, according to new details released by Spaceflight today. These include 15 larger microsatellites, and 56 smaller standardized satellites known as CubeSats. The probes range in weight from 11 pounds to 660 pounds. Up to 18 different countries have payloads on the flight, including the United States, Australia, Thailand, Poland, and more. And about three-fourths of these satellites are commercial payloads, while universities and even a high school have their own hardware going up. Two art exhibits will also be onboard.

 

All of the satellites are slated to go into a low path above Earth known as a sun-synchronous orbit. It’s a route that allows satellites to pass over the same patch of the Earth’s surface at the same time each day. Once the Falcon 9 launches, it will take between six to eight hours to deploy all 71 satellites into this orbit. Deploying all of these probes at the right time will be an incredibly complex sequence of events, according to Curt Blake, president of Spaceflight’s launch services group.

 

The satellites will be loaded onto a large structure known as a payload stack that is mounted on top of the rocket. This stack is equipped with various mechanisms that will jettison the satellites one by one at the right time in space.

 

ONCE THE FALCON 9 LAUNCHES, IT WILL TAKE BETWEEN SIX TO EIGHT HOURS TO DEPLOY ALL 71 SATELLITES

 

“Probably the biggest technical challenge is sequencing all of the spacecraft off the payload stack,” Blake tells The Verge. “When you sequence that launch, you have to do it in a well thought out and organized way, so you don’t end up having spacecraft coming back, contacting each other, and causing space debris. We spent a lot of time modeling that and tinkering with the sequencing to make sure it all comes off without recontact.”

https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/6/17654372/spacex-falcon-9-spaceflight-industries-small-satellite-rideshare

 

60287393_SSO-Apatch(Spaceflight)jpeg.thumb.jpg.05eb8fe4efe97fe1cd220cd48d197888.jpg

 

 

SSOA_Infographic.thumb.jpg.7cc76ac157b745eb8dabc89ec609728c.jpg

 

 

SSO_ABlog1_1024x683.thumb.jpg.d80a8729ba077096309414ac08b44f16.jpg

 

 

SSO-A-deployment-process-Spaceflight-IndustriesSmall.thumb.jpg.c1357d812843f531949276d9e6a2e6eb.jpg

 

 

Spaceflight_Image_SSO-A_small.thumb.jpg.3557c1a3f2c25db874a49ef79679bb80.jpg

 

 

Spaceflight Industries homepage...(parent company)

https://www.spaceflightindustries.com/

 

Spaceflight homepage...

http://spaceflight.com/about/

 

Spaceflight twitter account...

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightInc

 

18 countries

1   USA
2   Canada
3   Finland
4   Germany
5   Indna
6   Italy
7   Jordan
8   Kazakhstan
9   Netherlands
10   Poland
11   Spain
12   Australia
13   South Korea
14   Switzerland
15   Thailand
16   United Kingdom
17   South Africa
18   Brazil

 

71 Payloads comprised of 15 microsats and 56 cubesats. Individual sat listings here...

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38551.msg1839535#msg1839535

 

Generic payload video (will not embed)play at the link please...

http://spaceflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SSO-A-SmallSat-Express.mp4

 

Assembling the Integrated Payload Stack at Spaceflight Industries

video is 1:08 min.

 

 

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.@sslmda @MaxarTech ships two @planetlabs SkySats to VAFB for mid-Nov launch of @SpaceX Falcon 9 ride-share mission booked by @SpaceflightInc.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1055448586182365189

 

189495213_2018-10-2513_34_53-WindowJpeg.thumb.jpg.bf366f5e844c01509589c3b86cecb6f2.jpg

 

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Two SkySat Satellites, Three Doves, And A Record-Breaking Launch On Spaceflight’s SSO-A

 

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Planet is gearing up to send seven satellites into orbit this November as part of SSO-A: SmallSat Express, a fully dedicated rideshare mission on the SpaceX Falcon 9, procured by Spaceflight Industries. Of the 70 spacecraft onboard, Planet will send up two SkySat satellites, three latest-generation Dove satellites (Flock 3s), and two university cubesat projects sponsored by Planet. 

 

The two SkySat satellites – numbers 14 and 15 – are the primary spacecraft of the SSO-A mission. They will join the 13 operational SkySats in orbit, expanding the world’s largest fleet of high-resolution imaging satellites. The improved global coverage, particularly in the morning orbit, will help Planet increase access to high-resolution imagery for customers as well as task afternoon imaging more effectively. This is the first time SkySat satellites will fly on a Falcon 9.

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The three Dove satellites on this launch will support Planet’s global monitoring mission and highlight our agile aerospace approach of rapid iteration of satellite technology. Planned upgrades to the Doves, such as improved camera and telescope systems, will be tested in flight and refined back on the ground in our new satellite manufacturing facility.

 

Planet is also sponsoring the launch of two university cubesat projects: the MinXSS-2 from the University of Colorado, Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and the RANGE from Georgia Tech. These projects were the finalists of the University CubeSat Partnership, a competition hosted by Terra Bella (before its acquisition by Planet in 2017).

 

We’re excited to participate in this record-breaking launch with Spaceflight Industries! Stay tuned for updates from the launch site at Vandenberg by following @planetlabs.

https://www.planet.com/pulse/two-skysat-satellites-three-doves-and-a-record-breaking-launch-on-spaceflights-sso-a/

 

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From Germany...

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Tomatoes in space : With the satellite # EuCROPIS we send a mini greenhouse into space - on board are 24 tomato seeds. Before it starts in mid-November, there were a lot of tests - on Flickr are now the pictures of the thermal test.

https://twitter.com/DLR_de/status/1053192741189046272

ZCUgtAXL.thumb.jpg.3dc6b64b1bea6a0dab4791c81d286f4a.jpg

 

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#Falcon9 SSO-A has arrived at Vandenberg! @EuCROPIS @FAU_Germany @DLR_de

https://twitter.com/hellbot77/status/1055864461414752256

DqcvIaFXcAA702w.thumb.jpg.ec15de17d32878142ca11a2635fa0bed.jpg

 

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@irvinecubesat @thekainsosa @IPSFinfo We appreciated the crew @SpaceflightInc mentoring & support during integration of IRVINE02; It was quite the journey to Seattle, with many teachers helping along the way. Our students look forward to seeing it launch on #SSOA from Vandenberg!

https://twitter.com/DrBrentFreeze/status/1047537483439734784

DomZwQWUwAAToy3.thumb.jpg.c1734753a813dce0942cb2f653fc9f77.jpg

 

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Boeing leads $3M round to boost Accion Systems’ electric space propulsion system

 

181010-accion-630x527.thumb.jpg.74f0d17ef9137062d2851aba6285f771.jpg

An artist’s conception shows Accion Systems’ electrospray thruster chips (in gold) arranged in a propulsion array on a satellite. (Accion Systems Illustration / Zina Deretsky)

 

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Boeing’s venture capital fund is leading a $3 million investment round for Accion Systems, a Boston-based startup whose electric propulsion system for satellites could get its next in-space test early as next month.

 

snip

 

The Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray system, also known as TILE, makes use of a non-toxic, liquid propellant that’s pushed out, ion by ion, from arrays of thrusters the size of postage stamps. Ion drives are the stuff of science-fiction (as in “Star Trek”) as well as real-life space missions (such as NASA’s Dawn mission to Ceres). Accion’s TILE system is designed to be smaller, lighter and more cost-effective than traditional ion engines.

 

“Accion‘s scalable technology can help bring game-changing capabilities to satellites, space vehicles and customers,” Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures, said today in a news release. “Investing in startups with next-generation concepts accelerates satellite innovation, unlocking new possibilities and economics in Earth orbit and deep space.”

 

Boeing has been building satellites with electric propulsion for several years, but Accion’s TILE system should extend that capability to next-generation small satellites.

 

snip

 

Accion has received annual contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense for the past three years, and the TILE system has already been tested in space twice. Two TILE-equipped, student-built nanosatellites belonging to California’s Irvine CubeSat STEM Program are due to be launched next month.

 

The Irvine 01 satellite is set to be sent into orbit by a Rocket Lab Electron rocket launching from New Zealand as part of a mission nicknamed “It’s Business Time.” Irvine 02 is one of the  payloads scheduled for liftoff from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as part of Seattle-based Spaceflight’s dedicated riideshare mission.

 

snip

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/boeing-leads-3m-round-boost-accion-systems-electric-space-propulsion-system/

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Tactical Sat Headed for Orbit, Testing

 

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Raytheon Co. has delivered the first of what it hopes will be a constellation of small, “disposable” satellites designed to give low-echelon ground forces in remote locations on-demand access to space imagery.

 

Those squads and tactical teams currently lack access to satellite imagery provided by military or commercial platforms. Hence, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched a research effort in 2012 nicknamed “SeeMe,” for Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements. The DARPA program has since been cancelled, but Raytheon continued internal development of a prototype satellite designed to quickly deliver high-resolution battlefield imagery comparable to commercial satellites.

SeeMeJpeg.thumb.jpg.c42d20946594d0df3d408c4d1fc4d8d4.jpg

Image courtesy: Raytheon

 

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Those real-time images would be provided by constellations of up to 24 satellites weighing about 50 pounds each flying in low-earth orbit. SeeMe satellites would remain on station between 90 days and a year and would eventually de-orbit and burn up during reentry. 

 

That means the expandable satellites must be relatively cheap. DARPA’s goal, depending on design complexity, was $500,000 per satellite. Hence, Raytheon said it made heavy use of commercial components, focusing most of its design work on integration issues and overcoming constraints like signal overlap. “We only designed the things we had to,” or that were not commercially available, said Raytheon’s Lloyd Strickler, lead electrical engineer on the SeeMe program.

 

Given size and weight constraints, satellite designers did come up with a single board that integrated four stacks of components, including an image processor, data handling components, power management and other systems.

 

Other cost savings were derived from building the SeeMe prototype on an existing Raytheon missile production line, allowing the designers to develop a small-sat manufacturing cell that used, for example, the same functional test equipment used for missile production. Many missile and satellite component sizes matched, helping to reduce manufacturing costs, the company said. 

 

Without revealing specific cost figures, Buck Larkin, manager of Raytheon’s Small Space Programs, said: “We proved that [low-cost satellite manufacturing] was a real thing.” 

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U.S. military users could begin evaluating the SeeMe prototype early next year after DARPA integrates SeeMe into a mission dubbed EXCITE, or eXperiment for Cellular Intergration Technologies. Spaceflight Industries is managing the payload, which is scheduled for launch into low-earth orbit on a SpaceX rocket at the end of November.

 

The payload specialist offers a “rideshare” launch service in which small satellites are lofted into orbit as part of the same payloads. 

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1333888

 

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SpaceX targets Falcon 9 reusability milestone on first dedicated rideshare launch

 

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SpaceX’s first dedicated rideshare – a collection of small satellites manifested for launch and organized by a third party – is into the final stretches of prelaunch preparations, readying for a ride to orbit on a flight-proven Falcon 9 no earlier than (NET) November 19th.

 

While unconfirmed, it appears that SpaceX is working to make SSO-A’s launch the first time the same Falcon 9 booster flies three missions, an accomplishment that may look minor up close but is actually a major step forward for orbital-class reusable rockets.

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THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM


For Falcon 9, SSO-A is equally exciting. Likely to fly on either booster B1048 or B1046, both now with two successful launches on their records, this mission could mark the first time a Falcon 9 booster completes three orbital-class missions. If the rocket managed a successful recovery, either at SpaceX’s recently-inaugurated Landing Zone-4 (LZ-4) or well-worn drone ship Just Read The Instructions, it would pave the way for its fourth reflight and beyond. SpaceX designed Falcon 9 Block 5 to be capable of a minimum of 10 launches per booster with little to no refurbishment, potentially enabling 100+ flights each with regular maintenance.

 

If schedules hold, SSO-A will launch as few as five days after SpaceX’s NET November 14th launch of communications satellite Es’Hail-2 on the opposite coast.

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-reusability-milestone-first-dedicated-rideshare/?fbclid=IwAR15fsYQ2L4jLuG6NLcbARTESpYMbQ2YveKFmq2fNqV_QGHq4U4k_bg4EOg

 

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I went over the FCC document, "REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY" from Spaceflight Inc.

 

The following data may be of interest...

 

Radio frequencies in use...

 1151560727_commlinkssso.thumb.jpg.17b262675327151ba6d3cf6545fbf7cb.jpg

 

561924629_Radioprop2.thumb.jpg.749cfd7615c81330fe87aaf4f16d62ec.jpg

 

 Orbital parameters...

1149906685_Orbitparameters.thumb.jpg.1dfabe91102c2d66d43d7ed7e95c92af.jpg

 

 

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Spaceflight’s SSO-A Spacecraft Description


17 May 2018
1 Overview


Spaceflight’s SSO-A Mission (the “Mission”) is a commercial rideshare mission planned to launch 114
small spacecraft belonging to Spaceflight’s customers, into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The mission
will be on a SpaceX Falcon9 launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base, and the current launch window
is September 30, 2018 – October 30, 2018. Spaceflight provides the launch capacity, structure,
separation systems, and integration services for the customer spacecraft on the mission.


The SSO-A structure consists of three segments; the Upper Free Flyer (UFF), the Lower Free Flyer (LFF)
and the Multi-Payload Carrier (MPC). Shortly after orbital insertion, the launch vehicle commands the
separation of the Upper Free Flyer, the Lower Free Flyer, and 4 customer spacecraft installed on the
MPC.
The base of the MPC will remain with the Falcon 9 second stage. Following deployment from the
launch vehicle, the UFF and LFF will begin a timed deployment sequence of customer spacecraft.


Deployment confirmation will be transmitted by the UFF and LFF to ground stations over UHF radio and
to the Globalstar constellation via L-band radio. The Mission is anticipated to last less than six hours,
and all communications from the UFF and LFF will stop less than 24 hours after launch when the avionics
batteries are exhausted. 24 hours after launch, the UFF and LFF will both deploy deorbit sails to
decrease the time to deorbit naturally by increasing atmospheric drag.

Bolding mine...SpaceX is only responsible for this...the rest is their show...

 

fig1-1.thumb.jpg.484f58b03199a4e754c836cc252c1a23.jpg

SSO-A Integrated Payload Stack on a Falcon 9 Payload Attach Fitting (customer spacecraft
represented by opaque cubes)

 

 

1645485534_UFFdescription.thumb.jpg.65e68af99c3d69c2a59c0f9dd4622e5f.jpg

 

1304832310_sso-aUFFandLFF.thumb.JPG.8f35e901b42d1cc1d4d9dd5c0d9730d9.JPG

 

 

 

1320622319_sso-aMPCandLFF.thumb.JPG.b728aa18aec8301dbf35e98e704a2b8f.JPG

SSO-A Multi-Payload Canister (MPC) with LFF shown center

 

 

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Deorbit Device Summary for the SSO-A Mission 22 May 2018


Summary
Surrey Space Centre (Surrey, England) is providing a deorbit device based on their flight proven technology.
The deorbit device is an atmospheric drag sail unit that will increase the surface area of both the Upper
Free Flyer (UFF) and Lower Free Flyer (LFF) on Spaceflight’s SSO-A Mission. The device creates increased
drag and faster orbital decay. The DragSails are programed with a timer that will deploy the sail to begin
the deorbit process after the SSO-A mission is complete. The DragSail is an independent unit; it does not
need any external inputs such as power or commands to operate. The DragSail will be subjected to
qualification testing, acceptance testing, and deployment functional tests to ensure it will operate on orbit.
The DragSail components and functions have been demonstrated on the InflateSail mission in 2017
(https://www.surrey.ac.uk/surrey-space-centre/missions/inflatesail) and are installed on the
RemoveDebris microsat that launched to the International Space Station on a Falcon9 rocket on 2 April
2018 (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/surrey-space-centre/missions/removedebris).


Functional Details
The DragSail is a 16m2 sail structure consisting of 4 separate triangular quadrants. The quadrants are ‘Z’-
folded, then wrapped around a free spinning central hub. When actuated, the side panels of the DragSail
are released, exposing the sail and booms to space. The deployment motor spins the central hub, which
extends carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bi-stable booms. The sails are suspended between the
booms and unfurl as the booms deploy. Once the booms reach their maximum length, the motor turns off
and the deployment is complete. A dedicated Electrical Initiator System (EIS) is used to provide long-term
storage and on-demand power to the system without requiring any power or commands from the UFF or
LFF. The DragSail has a dual redundant internal timer that activates upon separation from the launch
vehicle, and is completely independent from the spacecraft avionics system. A video of a drag sail
deployment can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LDbxmtwFY4

 

dragsail.thumb.jpg.179aea04bda09c986d155c4f9da12156.jpg

 

from 2014, video is 3:42 min.

 

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Deorbit Lifetime
The UFF and LFF will each have their own independent deorbit device; the two devices are same model.
Because the UFF is roughly four times heavier than the LFF, the UFF served as the design case for sail sizing.
The sail is sized to deorbit the UFF in less than 25 years for the worst case scenario where the avionics are
dead-on-orbit, and no customer spacecraft are separated. By DAS methodology calculation, the postmission
deorbit lifetimes for the LFF and UFF will be 4.3 years and 7.2 years, respectively. In the worst case
in which the LFF and UFF avionics are dead-on-orbit, their post-mission deorbit lifetimes will be 5.2 years
and 16.3 years.

 

The pdf is too large to upload but hopefully this will suffice....

Edited by Draggendrop
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Had an issue with image/pdf's...these 3 may go better with above post...can't edit above post at this time.

 

1927412487_Fullstack.thumb.jpg.4c7f7c61fa33af49ef99ceeef1c01e7c.jpg

 

 

107661061_3-1UFF.thumb.jpg.b51d630482f1eaf8ccf0ed1b579b00fe.jpg

 

 

936730992_3-2LFF.thumb.jpg.d164c21f816589366a1f50b636229a7f.jpg

 

 

703578669_3-3MPCwithLFF.thumb.jpg.ef862454b527941f82c994ad03e7fa46.jpg

 

 

 

Edited by Draggendrop
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SpaceX now has an RTLS and a JRTI permit for the SSO-A mission. If the launch were to slip a few weeks, a land landing would be possible. However, with the current launch date (11/19) there is a conflict with the range, and therefore SpaceX must use a droneship for recovery.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1060372726643392514

 

Vandenderg also issued a 5 year permit to SpaceX for RTLS, ASDS and ocean expendable...subject to "satellites that must not be named... j/k" and other high level priorities.

 

This flight is capable of RTLS but is forced to use ASDS due to Base mission requirements...expensive toy on location...within same zip code as Falcon 9.

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Nov. 19   Falcon 9 • Spaceflight SSO-A

 

Launch time: 1832 GMT (1:32 p.m. EST; 10:32 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with Spaceflight’s SSO-A rideshare mission, a stack of satellites heading into sun-synchronous polar orbit. Numerous small payloads will be launched on this mission for nearly 50 government and commercial organizations from 16 countries, including the United States, Australia, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Thailand. Delayed from July. [Oct. 25]

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

 

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Well...that answers that, just the booster recovery on the ASDS....(funny...I said "just" like it's a disappointment)

Gotta love these times...

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Reminder: Falcon 9 static fire was also scheduled for today out of Vandenberg. If it occurs, we will have to wait for SpaceX to tweet confirmation.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1063184119453179905

 

 

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Nov. 19  Falcon 9 • Spaceflight SSO-A

 

Launch time: 1832 GMT (1:32 p.m. EST; 10:32 a.m. PST)


Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with Spaceflight’s SSO-A rideshare mission, a stack of satellites heading into sun-synchronous polar orbit. Numerous small payloads will be launched on this mission for nearly 50 government and commercial organizations from 16 countries, including the United States, Australia, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Thailand. Delayed from July. [Oct. 25]

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

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Probably subject to change due to the fires/smoke conditions in the general area. Not sure how it'll impact things in VAFB, which is southeast of all that. The smoke sure could.

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Falcon 9 B1046.3 has arrived at SLC-4E for her static fire test ahead of launch on Monday with the SSO-A mission.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1063238836619218944

 

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Falcon 9’s first stage booster for this mission completed two East Coast launches earlier this year.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1063310464870834176

 

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1063310464870834176

 

DsGjH4oVAAArGA_.thumb.jpg.32528be14f7c2d95ef851a498d6bd22e.jpg

Bangabandhu Satellite-1 Mission  LC-39A

 

DsGjJxQVsAAUFS4.thumb.jpg.7cc13bdf5b50f8379c08bdeb361e4563.jpg

Merah Putih Satellite Mission LC-40

 

next up...Vandy

DODMUH5UIAAv6SA.thumb.jpg.3a63d16d8a29ff1587a99c91678946e0.jpg

 

oooops...meant this...

8.thumb.jpg.0477036a53767a75af3f14a4845d7012.jpg

 LC-4...... Will be the first booster from all 3 pads

------------------------------------

 

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More fun facts about #SSOA #smallsatexpress: Only 4 countries supplied major parts: Spain (the MPC and HUB), Germany (PSL-P cubesat dispenser), Netherlands (QuadPack dispenser), England (DragSails).  Everything else was made in the USA!

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightInc/status/1063173548385189888

 

----------------------------------------------

 

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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting November 19 launch of Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1063309442786062336

 

EDIT....It appears all the space nuts had the same idea......but of course.

Edited by Draggendrop
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Standing down from Monday’s launch attempt of Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express to conduct additional pre-flight inspections. Once complete, we will confirm a new launch date.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1063900263570788352

 

 

I would rather them go over this one again to make sure...this is a 3rd re-use and helps pave the way for more later...

 

Will have to watch ASDS action for a "heads up". 

 

Sure seems funny having the platform off the coast at short range...simulating a RTLS.....all because of "risk adverse" organizations. 

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LAUNCH UPDATE: unfortunately the @SpaceflightInc #SSO-A launch is delayed by 5-6 days due to some additional inspections of the @SpaceX rocket. The new launch date is not yet announced... please stay tuned. #GoMinXSS2

https://twitter.com/minxsscubesat/status/1063888514280902656

 

 

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Our #SSOA #SmallSatExpress launch has been delayed. Stay tuned for a new scheduled date!

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightInc/status/1063900816162009088

 

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There are a few individuals/groups that do not like "clutter" in orbit. They have been "smearing" the Spaceflight "ride share...and just got caught red handed...

 

1732599039_Sillyness1.thumb.jpg.fa44935a8be8c6e647e27a6a25ea6b31.jpg

screen shot, in case it disappears...bit small so I will quote..

 

"TSKelso

Spoke extensively with 18SPCS team at the SSA Operators’ Workshop in Denver this week. They have next to nothing useful from Spaceflight for the SSO-A launch on Monday. This is totally irresponsible. Be prepared for chaos."

 

"AStick

You didn't talk with me...and I'm processing the launch. We have had plenty of meetings and cooperation from the Spaceflight team."

 

"TSKelso

No, I didn’t—you weren’t here! If you have post-deployment orbital data—not a sample from a Monte Carlo run—that’s great. Otherwise, I’ll stand by my position & be ready to do what I can to mitigate the impact."

 

"AStick

I have spoken with the folks that were there. They informed me that they told you we have been working with them for months."

 

Note...handle ASick works on the monitoring team and called him out.

 

I still think this campaign from the debris zealots and a few narrow minded individuals in astronomy, will not go away....but their argument weakens as they are "called out"

 

The above individual has no idea how accurate that one can tailor a Monte Carlo analysis...I have used the process, many times,  on very complicated systems and the results have mirrored very closely to actual results. One can bet a lot more data than the analysis has been passed between Spaceflight and the monitoring team.

 

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Pacific Freedom and Just Read The Instructions Droneship depart LA ahead of Wednesday's launch. The droneship will be stationed just off the coast south of the launchpad.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1066807523674660864

 

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It will be in the red zone. It'll look close to an RTLS for ground observers. It may be possible to see from land if

@Marine_layer

cooperates. I don't think it will be on livestream though.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1066958808117850112

 

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I have visual but still very far away from my location

https://mobile.twitter.com/SLC4_LZ2/status/1066814999534874624

 

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