Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 with DSCOVR, February 11, 2015

[dman]

Did they recover first stage or did it wind up in the drink....?

 

[Prowler901]

No word on that. But, given the sea state (25' waves) I'd say it was not recoverable.

 

[ISProgram]

They did withdraw the ASDS and support ships, plus I don't think it'll be a good idea to try and get close to a *possibly* intact floating rocket body in that kind of weather. So no, I don't think they did.

 

[BrianJ]

Very pretty sunset launch
Shame they couldn't try for the 1st stage landing, maybe next time....

 

[C3PO]

maybe next time....

Sadly no. The next two are heavy GTO missions and will not have landing legs. Most likely the next landing attempt will occur on the next ISS resupply mission that is planned for April 8.

 

[Astro SG Wise]

Posted by Elon Musk on twitter:
"Rocket soft landed in the ocean within 10m of target & nicely vertical! High probability of good droneship landing in non-stormy weather."

Awesome!

I forgot all about those barge landings. Great!

 

[RisingFury]

They're really getting their launch rate up.

6 launches in 2014 and 17 planned for 2015. I doubt they'll get 17 off the pad this year, but with two launches already off and next one coming at the end of February (NET), you can see how 2015 would be an even busier year for them.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Don't forget the pad and in-flight abort tests.

And (hopefully) a Falcon Heavy at Vbg.

 

[RGClark]

They're really getting their launch rate up.

6 launches in 2014 and 17 planned for 2015. I doubt they'll get 17 off the pad this year, but with two launches already off and next one coming at the end of February (NET), you can see how 2015 would be an even busier year for them.

How close was 6 launches in 2014 to their planned number?

Bob Clark

 

[GLS]

How close was 6 launches in 2014 to their planned number?

Bob Clark

Looks to be around 50% of planned.

This launch is opening what will be the busiest year in SpaceX company history as 11 to 15 launches are lined up for 2014 including the first flight of the Falcon Heavy from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Source: http://www.spaceflight101.com/spacex-falcon9-v11-thaicom-6-launch-updates.html

 

[Scruce]

And (hopefully) a Falcon Heavy at Vbg.

The Falcon Heavy was originally planned for Vandenburg but it's now going to be launched from LC-39A at KSC in July-September.

 

[RisingFury]

Doubt we'll see Falcon Heavy this year.

SpaceX's has been getting into a good swing with F9 launches, but this is still SpaceX. They NEVER hit their deadlines :lol:

 

[C3PO]

Doubt we'll see Falcon Heavy this year.

SpaceX's has been getting into a good swing with F9 launches, but this is still SpaceX. They NEVER hit their deadlines :lol:

I too would expect F9H to slide past new year, but to be fair most of DISCOVR's delay wasn't due to SpaceX

 

[RisingFury]

I too would expect F9H to slide past new year, but to be fair most of DISCOVR's delay wasn't due to SpaceX

I'm talking about launches of new rockets and capsules and such. From F1 on, SpaceX has had overly optimistic schedules.

But I don't really give them or other launch providers a hard time for it. Better launch later and not have a multi-million dollar fireworks display.

 

[Astro SG Wise]

This was one of the most beautiful launches I have seen on NASATV. Good job NASA and SpaceX!

 

[MattBaker]

The first date they ever set for a Falcon Heavy launch was 2013. Now it's 2015. They surely don't have a great track record.

 

[C3PO]

I'm talking about launches of new rockets and capsules and such. From F1 on, SpaceX has had overly optimistic schedules.

I was thinking more about how DSCOVR (then Tirana) was supposed to fly on STS-107 but lost its "seat". :lol:

 

[Hlynkacg]

The first date they ever set for a Falcon Heavy launch was 2013. Now it's 2015. They surely don't have a great track record.

Worse than NASA's? :shifty:

 

[MattBaker]

Worse than NASA's? :shifty:

Depends on the project, in some cases yes, in some cases no.

 

[Urwumpe]

Worse than NASA's? :shifty:

Actually. Yes. There had never been really grave delays in NASAs launch schedules as long as NASA did not need another seven astronauts. Even the sensitive Space Shuttle did result in less grave delays as the Falcon 9 series so far.