SpaceX Falcon 9: Spaceflight SSO-A (Sun Synch Express) to launch Nov 19 2018

[GrahamW]

Should you want to follow the launch and also gain a lot of information about the launch, here is a link to Everyday Astronaut, Tim Dodd, who will be covering the launch and also supply a lot of information and answer questions.

[GrahamW]

SpaceX
‏
Standing down from tomorrow’s launch attempt of Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express to conduct additional inspections of the second stage. Working toward a backup launch opportunity on December 3.

[SlowApproach]

Eish. I think they are trying to set a new world record for the number of launch postponements.

SE & UD: At least I've been saved from becoming a raging alcoholic. The (much-risen) cost of "swear jars" has now seen to it that I cannot afford to buy booze in large enough quantities

(I've tried making utterances in strange languages to avoid any penalties but the missus is still on to me. Damn you, Google Translate )

[Mfezi]

For those still interested: The launch of SSO-A is now scheduled for 18:31GMT today (20:31 SAST).

As a warmup, there is also a Soyuz launch scheduled for today. This will be the first manned flight since the incident earlier this year with MS-10. This flight was only supposed to happen on 20 December, but it has been moved forward due to the MS-10 abort. Scheduled launch is 11:31 GMT (13:31 SAST).

[SlowApproach]

While waiting for the launch (which is akin to "The Naughty Kid Playing with Light Switch" - as in: it's on... it's off... it's on...) here's some nice pics of the mission's Falcon 9 rocket (perhaps just to convince myself it's real ):

DtWLGqPU4AALMJz.jpg

DtWLH5MU4AEgc5p.jpg

The payload stack:

payload stack.jpg

[cage]

they could at least give the thing a clean!

[SlowApproach]

Getting there.

It is now, um, erect (and hope it stays that way )...

Dtfey5CXcAAre0n.jpg

Photo credit: Brian Sandoval, VAFB Launch Photographer

[Ugly Duckling]

With load shedding here I hope someone has a least a Bic lighter as backup so that SA can get some kip tonight

[SlowApproach]

Hell, I'm so ready for it. For the sitting, I'm coated from top to toe with mosquito lotion (the buggers are really active tonight and have already sucked me half-dry), and just in case Eskom-n-go, I've got the gas out for boiling water for (lots of) coffee - and *two* Bic lighters (one for backup to the backup )

The WebCast is at: https://youtu.be/Wq8kS6UoOrQ
(live will begin around 15 minutes before liftoff)

Launch is at 18:32 UTC.
Here's what will go down :

MISSION TIMELINE (ALL TIMES APPROXIMATE)
COUNTDOWN
Hour/Min/Sec Events
- 00:38:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
- 00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway
- 00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway
- 00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading underway
- 00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
- 00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
- 00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
- 00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
- 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

LAUNCH, LANDING, AND SATELLITE DEPLOYMENTS
Hour/Min/Sec Events
00:00:59 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:21 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:24 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:32 2nd stage engine starts
00:02:38 Boostback burn
00:02:43 Fairing deployment
00:05:58 1st stage entry burn
00:07:45 1st stage landing
00:10:01 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:13:47 Spaceflight SSO-A:SmallSat Express deployment begins
00:43:11 Spaceflight SSO-A:SmallSat Express final deployment

[Spoke Eagle]

SA. Go man. Reaching for the Stars. I stand in awe. There you go alls well. As Goga would say: Alls is balls

[macdaddy]

Nice one! It’s finally in orbit..

[SlowApproach]

Launch 2 minutes later than scheduled, but... wowooooWOOOOOOOOOO!!!

happy dance.gif

[GrahamW]

Launch 2 minutes later than scheduled, but... wowooooWOOOOOOOOOO!!!


Pity they aren't showing the satellites being released. That should be impressive.

[SlowApproach]

I concur. Unsure of whether they will show any of that at a later stage. (I suspect not, seeing as some government sats were also on the ride).

At least, so far, four microsats and the upper and lower free flyer with additional payloads have been successfully deployed. If it has come this far, I can relax now. I don't have to wait up.

Edit: What was equally impressive as that smoooooth launch was the Falcon 9 first stage coming back and landing spot-on, on the droneship. The fairing halves however missed the net but at least touched down softly in the water. So fairing recovery is also good to go I would say.

PS: If somebody missed the launch live but would still like to see it now before the recorded version is moved/made available on the usual YT channel at some later time, just go to the WebCast link that was given above and move the time bar to about 4:51...

[cage]

They said they would when it was back in ground contact. Check the Twitter feed, something will arrive