Falcon 9 still go for launch on Saturday
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Reports indicate that Wednesday’s Falcon 9 prelaunch static fire test was a success and that all systems are go for a September 2:14 am launch of Dragon to ISS.
If this launch happens has planned, it will occur only 13 days after the previous Falcon 9 launch in Florida, the shortest turnaround by SpaceX yet.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
Reports indicate that Wednesday’s Falcon 9 prelaunch static fire test was a success and that all systems are go for a September 2:14 am launch of Dragon to ISS.
If this launch happens has planned, it will occur only 13 days after the previous Falcon 9 launch in Florida, the shortest turnaround by SpaceX yet.
Which poses several questions on how they did that… The article I believe notes they already had the core for CRS-4 at the Cape. We know they need X days to drive first stage from Hawthorne to McGregor. Y days to test in McGregor. Z days to drive it to CCAFS. Then how much time is needed to prep it at the Cape? (A days).
So X + Y + Z +A is the bare minimum. Be interesting to see values on those variables.
Where did they store it at the Cape, while delayed on AsiaSat-6? I was under the impression there was only room for one core in the current LC-40 hangar.
They have access to the SPIF (http://space.stackexchange.com/questions/3288/what-is-the-alternate-hangar-spacex-has-available-at-the-cape) which is not really big enough for a F9 first stage. (maybe in the SMAB part? But I have seen nothing suggesting they have access to that. It was where the SRB’s were partially assembled so must have had enough room).
They might have simply parked the truck outside and waited for AsiaSat-6 to leave the hanger. The booster must be protected from weather while its on the truck.
Good point. You know, when they drive across the country from texas to Florida, I wonder what truck stop they stop at. That would be a cool truck to leave overnight…