Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 with Thaicom-6, January 6, 2014

[Mader Levap]

And seriously: Who is working and sober on that evening?

Emergency workers, pub and bar employees, essential services like power or water, security, military ops... do I have to go on? Admit it, it wasn't brighest question ever.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

The Patrick AFB web page is now showing this launch to be on January 3 at 5:57 - 7:23 pm EST (22:57 - 00:23 UTC).

I still need to donate $8 US to O-F in this case.

 

[Codz]

Emergency workers, pub and bar employees, essential services like power or water, security, military ops... do I have to go on? Admit it, it wasn't brighest question ever.

Sarcasm doesn't translate well over text evidently.

 

[Kyle]

The Patrick AFB web page is now showing this launch to be on January 3 at 5:57 - 7:23 pm EST (22:57 - 00:23 UTC).

I still need to donate $8 US to O-F in this case.

That's the Friday before I start my 4th semester of college, excellent.

If this holds I'll more than likely be in attendance.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

From NSF:

A usually reliable source mentions a static test scheduled for December 27 and launch readiness review scheduled for January 2.

 

[Kyle]

We've had a successful static firing!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Apparently the launch window is now 5:05 - 7:17 pm EST (22:05 - 00:17 UTC)!

 

[Kyle]

I can confirm my attendance for this launch -- only if it delays 24 hours.

You'll all understand if tomorrow I'm rooting for a scrub.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

I can confirm my attendance for this launch -- only if it delays 24 hours.

You'll all understand if tomorrow I'm rooting for a scrub.

It has slipped...to NET January 6! Doesn't sound like it is working in your favor... :shrug:

 

[Kyle]

It has slipped...to NET January 6! Doesn't sound like it is working in your favor... :shrug:

Not a SpaceX mission if otherwise.

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------

And we've got a patch!

 

[RGClark]

SpaceX and Orbital Sciences scheduling launches for the same week, a great boon for the viability of commercial space. Here's to hoping for two successful launches!

Bob Clark

 

[Kyle]

Reminds me of last September when F9 launched out of Vandenberg and Cygnus was berthed to the ISS on the same day.

I'd love to see, one day, a Cygnus and Dragon berthed at the ISS at once.

 

[MattBaker]

I'd love to see, one day, a Cygnus and Dragon berthed at the ISS at once.

Also known as the day NASA goes like " safety procedures and our astronaut's schedules, we'll do this because we can!"

I even doubt this would be possible, I'd guess the approach software of both spacecraft would go crazy if there's another one doing the literally same thing.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I think both Dragon and Cygnus (and HTV for that matter) get berthed at the same place. Before they could receive more cargo shipping they have to change their procedures.

 

[MattBaker]

Well, theoretically the Harmony module would have two berthing ports, one on the Zenith side and the one always used on the Nadir side. I don't know if there are any procedures which lead to only the Nadir one being used but it should be possible I think.

 

[Kyle]

Well, theoretically the Harmony module would have two berthing ports, one on the Zenith side and the one always used on the Nadir side. I don't know if there are any procedures which lead to only the Nadir one being used but it should be possible I think.

FWIW, PMM will be moved to Node-3 in 2015 (?), while PMA-3 will be moved to Node-2 zenith for dockings, meaning Node 1 nadir and Node 2 nadir will be used for cargo while Node-2 forward and Node-2 zenith will be used for crew.

I'm not sure about Dragon and Cygnus, seeing as they both utilize solar panels which may give clearance issues for a relocation to the zenith port (hench the module switchup upcoming), but Harmony is more than capable of having two cargo vehicles berthed at once at current.

 

[Mader Levap]

You'll all understand if tomorrow I'm rooting for a scrub.

Erm, launch date slip is not scrub.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

FINALLY! Webcast link and press kit!

http://new.livestream.com/spacex/Thaicom6

http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_thaicom6_presskit.pdf

 

[Kyle]

On the pad.

Erm, launch date slip is not scrub.

At the time when I posted, I had assumed they would launch the next day (the 3rd). If a 24 hour delay had taken place during the countdown on launch day, then that would be a scrub, which is what I was hoping for.

Doesn't matter anymore though, seeing as January 4th has long passed. :thumbup:

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

On the pad.

At the time when I posted, I had assumed they would launch the next day (the 3rd). If a 24 hour delay had taken place during the countdown on launch day, then that would be a scrub, which is what I was hoping for.

Doesn't matter anymore though, seeing as January 4th has long passed. :thumbup:

And from SpaceX:

It seems that broken clouds would be the situation at liftoff time...