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

[Kyle]

It's been pretty much completely overcast in Florida for the last three weeks, so I don't think we're going to get a clear launch anytime within the launch window.

---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

L-2 hours, fueling operations are underway. First and second stage are being pumped full of LOX and kerosene. Everything moving very smoothly.

Coverage starts in one hour.
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/Thaicom6

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

I expect >50% of the members here active at this time to be already watching SpaceX's webcast, but if you are not.....take a look at it now!

 

[AlfalfaQc]

Webcast has started! But as usual, I have to refresh the page every 10 second because it buffers. Am I the only one? Even at 270p... that is annoying...

---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 PM ----------

Well, I switched to windows and it works well now... Guess SpaceX doesn't like Ubuntu XD

 

[orb]

Well, I switched to windows and it works well now... Guess SpaceX doesn't like Ubuntu XD

I've had the same issue (with new.livestream feeds) in Gentoo, so it isn't only Ubuntu, but switching to Spaceflight Now Livestream helped.

 

[AlfalfaQc]

Maybe it's firefox, I use it on ubuntu, but I use chrome on windows

 

[orb]

Maybe it's firefox

No, it's rather Flash player.

 

[AlfalfaQc]

Ah, ok, anyway, LIFTOFF!!

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Staging and faring sep went cleanly.

---------- Post added at 14:15 ---------- Previous post was at 14:14 ----------

SECO1!

 

[Kyle]

Successful launch! What an excellent way for SpaceX to start out the year.

Reignition into a 90,00km GTO orbit will happen at 2233 GMT (5:33pm EST) and with a S/C sep at 2237 GMT.

---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------

Second stage relight should be taking place about now.

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

S/C sep should have also taken place by now. No word on either yet.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

You make it to the launch?

 

[Kyle]

S/C sep should have taken place about 12 minutes ago, no word yet.

And no, I was unable to attend the launch.

---------- Post added at 11:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------

YES!
SpaceX ‏@SpaceX 1m
Falcon 9 has successfully deployed THAICOM 6 into its target orbit

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

As promised I have just donated $8 US to the O-F donation account. (tblaxland or someone else should be able to confirm this)

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-np8yPS8JQQ"][SpaceX] Launch of Thaicom-6 on Falcon 9v1.1 Rocket from Cape![/ame]

 

[Thunder Chicken]

No attempt to recover the 1st stage on this one, right?

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Nope. That's a little further down the line. CRS-4 or later, if memory serves. (Don't quote me on it, though. :shifty: )

 

[ADSWNJ]

Sexy launch. Congrats to the SpaceX crew.

 

[Arrowstar]

Nope. That's a little further down the line. CRS-4 or later, if memory serves. (Don't quote me on it, though. :shifty: )

Is that the next flight?

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Nope. That's a little further down the line. CRS-4 or later, if memory serves. (Don't quote me on it, though. :shifty: )

Actually Elon Musk said that they might test the landing legs as early as the Dragon CRS-3 launch (along with another deceleration boost test a la the CASSIOPE launch last year), now next on the flight queue on February 22 (although given the quote was from last September we have yet to know if that still holds as of right now).

And look at that!

 

[PhantomCruiser]

No attempt to recover the 1st stage on this one, right?

If I can find the reference I'll post it, but... There is A Lori Robin on FB that I follow who works at SpaceX, she's pretty good about providing details once she is able (like after an official press release or something).

Anyway, the word I got was that for the Falcon9 to put something into GTO, they want to be able to use all the capacity they can, so they didn't have the luxury to spare any DV to flip the 1st stage over and attempt a recovery, even if the launch was flawless, they wouldn't try it.

Man, I hope that made sense. I got three conversations going on right now...

 

[RGClark]

Congratulations to SpaceX on the successful launch.

Bob Clark