The next 3 days are supposed to see night time temps in the 30s to 40s before returning to "normal" (whatever that is anymore) on Friday. Don't know if these temps will impact flight operations.
Targeting Thursday, March 16 for @EchoStar XXIII launch; window opens at 1:35am EDT and weather is 90% favorable.
Having no legs is a big hint that the first stage will be tossed down-range. It's a 5500 kg payload to GTO so there's a data point for max weight to that target. The rather dated specs page for Falcon Nine quotes 8300 kg. My call on that is an evident pressing need to deliver real well for client/market. A mob like EchoStar would be mighty happy to have plenty of spare KE in hand for later geostationary placement. That means rather more onboard fuel to keep available for the later years of the satellite's life.
That energy dividend comes from not only not returning the stage but also from not launching the weight of the legs etc. It looks funny/odd without the legs, and there are no waffle irons either. You could bet all the associated gear for controlled return is gone too. Which sounds a strange statement as no one else does folding legs & hypersonic vanes on rockets. LOL. :-)))
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
A mob like EchoStar would be mighty happy to have plenty of spare KE in hand for later geostationary placement. That means rather more onboard fuel to keep available for the later years of the satellite's life.
There is some info over at r/SpaceX. The exact weight hasn't been published by Echostar but 5300kg is max payload to GTO and landing first stage.
It seems this satellite was designed before the Falcon 9 decision was made, so that probably explains the weight mismatch.
Knowing SpaceX, i expect a boostback type burn may be attempted to test these first recycled engines to/before their destruction.
( edit ) The graphic showed an arc for the first stage just following a parabola into the ocean. Payload quoted at 5500kg. Next launch is late this month and is first booster re-use. I still boggle at having a metal that can swing by ~ 1500K in temperature in a few seconds ie. the titanium/niobium alloy in the engines, without failure. Plus the turbo spin up is awesome.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
(No subject)
)
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
The webcast is slated for
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The webcast is slated for about 4.5 hours from now. The launch window is 2.5 hour long.
Cheers, Mike.
( edit ) Stood down. High winds. Try again Thursday.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
The next 3 days are supposed
)
The next 3 days are supposed to see night time temps in the 30s to 40s before returning to "normal" (whatever that is anymore) on Friday. Don't know if these temps will impact flight operations.
SpaceX seems confident at
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SpaceX seems confident at least :
Having no legs is a big hint that the first stage will be tossed down-range. It's a 5500 kg payload to GTO so there's a data point for max weight to that target. The rather dated specs page for Falcon Nine quotes 8300 kg. My call on that is an evident pressing need to deliver real well for client/market. A mob like EchoStar would be mighty happy to have plenty of spare KE in hand for later geostationary placement. That means rather more onboard fuel to keep available for the later years of the satellite's life.
That energy dividend comes from not only not returning the stage but also from not launching the weight of the legs etc. It looks funny/odd without the legs, and there are no waffle irons either. You could bet all the associated gear for controlled return is gone too. Which sounds a strange statement as no one else does folding legs & hypersonic vanes on rockets. LOL. :-)))
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Mike Hewson wrote: A mob like
)
There is some info over at r/SpaceX. The exact weight hasn't been published by Echostar but 5300kg is max payload to GTO and landing first stage.
It seems this satellite was designed before the Falcon 9 decision was made, so that probably explains the weight mismatch.
Knowing SpaceX, i expect a boostback type burn may be attempted to test these first recycled engines to/before their destruction.
AgentB wrote:Knowing SpaceX,
)
Good thought. Yup, find some more engineering data points b/4 it hits the water. No reason not to satisfy such curiosity.
Of course a Falcon Heavy blows all of that concern away. It is estimated to put 2900kg out to Pluto ! :-)
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Mike Hewson wrote:I have a
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Also this one
.
Ah. UFO. Epic for many
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Ah. UFO. Epic for many reasons. Not least of which was the theme music.
About three hours to webcast time.
Cheers, Mike.
( edit ) Aiming for liftoff at 0600 UTC
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Nicely done. Lovely engine
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Nicely done. Lovely engine rosette.
Cheers, Mike.
( edit ) The graphic showed an arc for the first stage just following a parabola into the ocean. Payload quoted at 5500kg. Next launch is late this month and is first booster re-use. I still boggle at having a metal that can swing by ~ 1500K in temperature in a few seconds ie. the titanium/niobium alloy in the engines, without failure. Plus the turbo spin up is awesome.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
But but but, it isn't a
)
But but but, it isn't a parabola, it is an ellipse. I know, I know, but your physics teacher lied.
The only time it is a parabola is if it is traveling at exactly escape velocity. Otherwise the path is either an ellipse or a hyperbola.