After several weeks without launch, SpaceX is expected to resume operations next week with the static fire and launch of Es'hail 2, a telecommunications satellite of Qatar Satellite. For its part, SpaceX has recently been certified to fly the most valuable scientific loads in NASA's launch services program (LSP).
The last SpaceX launch took place on October 6th, when a Falcon 9 successfully sent SAOCOM 1A into orbit. A gap of several weeks between launches is a rarity for SpaceX in 2018.
Next week's mission – Es & # 39; hail 2 – set a record for the record 18 SpaceX launches in 2017 in a single year . There are only four launches in 2018. mission.
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The Falcon 9 will place Es-hail 2 in a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO )) – before the spacecraft built by Mitsubishi uses its onboard propellers to reach its final destination.
The routine static fire test before the launch of the mission is currently scheduled for November 11th.
During the static fire test, a Falcon 9 rocket will light up its nine Merlin engines for a few seconds to validate the nominal operation of all vehicle systems.
After the static fire, SpaceX will conduct a quick review of the data before confirming the launch date.
If all g This date should be November 15 with a window open at 3:46 pm Eastern Time (UTC 20:46) and ending at 5:29 pm Eastern Time (10:29 pm) UTC).
The Mission Es & # 39; hail 2 be the first LC-39A SpaceX since Bangabandhu-1 in May. Since then, the launch complex has been undergoing renovations to support NASA's commercial crew program.
Notably, the crew access arm is clearly visible on the fixed service structure (FSS) of the platform.
The 39A CAA and 39A Transporter Erector during tests last week – via L2
After the launch of Es & hail 2, the first landing thruster will make a landing on the drone "Of course, I still love you "(OCISLY) in the Atlantic Ocean.
Four days later, SpaceX will launch Spaceflight Industries' SSO-A mission in Vandenberg. The launch will feature dozens of small satellites for various customers with the payload adapter and mission services provided by Spaceflight.
It is important to note that the first amplifier used to perform the mission would be B1046.3. If this is the case, the launch will be the first to feature for the third time the same first flight of Falcon 9.
Although the Falcon 9 overflight can land at Landing Zone 4 during this mission, such recovery will not be possible. possible due to a conflict with the beach.
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In this case, the dispute concerns the Delta IV Heavy and its payload NROL-71, which is scheduled to be launched from SLC-6 on 29 November.
The SLC-6 is located downstream of the SpaceX SLC-4E launch site.
Although the launch profile of SpaceX does not represent a significant risk for the SLC-6, the landing path presents a higher risk for lower range facilities.
As a result, a landing at the launch of SSO-A would only be allowed if it was to occur after the launch of Delta IV Heavy.
II) launching and launching Falcon 9 – via L2
Therefore, SpaceX is currently planning to recover the first stage of the drone just read the instructions (JRTI) – waiting for it. FCC approval.
The SSO-A Instant Launch window is at 10:32 Pacific (18:32 UTC).
After that mission, SpaceX will return to the east coast. CRS-16 – a cargo replenishment mission to the International Space Station – is to be launched from the SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Base on December 4 at 13:38 (ET) (18:00 GMT). : 38 UTC).
The teams will then be quickly available. upgrade of the SLC-40 Launch Complex for the launch of the GPS III-1 on December 15th. The window of this mission opens at 09:24 (14:24 UTC).
The CRS-15 is launched on a Falcon 9 – via Nathan Baker for NSF / L2
No attempt at recovery will be attempted during this period.
Finally, SpaceX will close 2018 with the eighth and latest launch of Iridid NEXT on Dec. 30 from Vandenberg. The instant launch window for Iridium-8 is at 8:38 Pacific (16:38 UTC).
After launch, the first stage amplifier – designated B1049.2 – will land on JRTI in the Pacific Ocean. [19659003] Also in December, the Falcon 9, which will launch the Demonstration Mission-1 (DM-1), is expected to go vertically on the LC-39A for pre-launch checks, according to recent comments from the President of SpaceX , Gwynne Shotwell, at AOPA High School. Aviation STEM Symposium.
The DM-1 is an unprepared test flight for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. This will help certify that the Crew Dragon spacecraft and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will send astronauts to the International Space Station.
Currently, the DM-1 mission is scheduled for no earlier than January 8, 2019, as per N2. The exact target date should be confirmed in the coming weeks.
DM-1 – the first flight of Dragon 2 – is launched on a Falcon 9 – as envisaged by Nathan Koga for NSF / L2
In addition, the SpaceX team The Dragon spacecraft has pbaded the NASA's standardized exam for visiting vehicles at the end of October – a milestone before the launch of the DM-1. as a category 3 launcher.
According to SpaceX, "Category 3 launchers are certified for NASA's most expensive and complex scientific missions."
The Vehicle Category LSP Dashboard – via NASA LSP
Shotwell "The LSP Category 3 certification is a major achievement for the Falcon 9 team and represents another key step in our close partnership with the NASA. We are honored to have the opportunity to provide cost-effective and reliable launch services to the most critical scientific payloads in the country. "
To achieve Category 3 certification, SpaceX had to demonstrate" 14 consecutive successful flights (95% reliability demonstrated at 50% confidence) of a common launcher configuration, instrumented to provide verification data of design and flight performance ", as per LSP requirements.
This certification will allow SpaceX to compete with United Launch Alliance for NASA LSP Category 3 missions.
