[ad_1]
Jason Rhian
July 20, 2018
The first Block 5 Falcon 9, used to send the Bangabandhu-1 satellite into space, stands at the launch pad before his mission in early May. A second block 5 will be used to launch Telstar 19 VANTAGE as of July 22, 2018. Photo Credit: Scott Schilke / SpaceFlight Insider
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Working to maintain an average flying pace of both times weeks or SpaceX is therefore preparing to send another of its Falcon 9 rockets from Space Launch Complex 40 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The next Telstar 19 VANTAGE flight marks a crucial milestone for the company's 2018 flight manifest.
observed a rapid launch rate. With June 29, 2018, the flight of the CRS-15 Dragon en route to the International Space Station, the period between flights will be 13 days. If SpaceX based in Hawthorne, California, can launch the Telstar 19V communications satellite on a Falcon 9 229 feet (70 meters) high during the four-hour window opening at 1:50 EDT (05: 50 GMT) 22nd of July.
An artist rendering of the Telstar 19 VANTAGE satellite in orbit. Photo credit: SSL
In addition, if the schedule is met, the company plans to launch the Iridium-7 mission three days later on the west coast, and the Merah Putih satellite on SLC-40 on August 2nd. The missions will use the new Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9. The first stage B1047 will be used for the Telstar flight 19 VANTAGE
Telstar 19 VANTAGE
After the second stage of the Falcon 9, the SSL will be built. Telstar 19 VANTAGE in a geostationary transfer orbit, the satellite will use on-board propulsion to move its orbit and position itself some 35,000 km (35,300 km) above the Americas at 63 degrees west.
Operated by Telesat, the satellite is expected to provide Ku Band and Ka Band coverage between northern Canada and South America. In addition, it is designed to provide North Atlantic coverage for airplanes and ocean vessels.
Based on the SSL 1300 platform, the spacecraft is designed to operate for approximately 15 years. With its two solar panels, it should provide about 15 kilowatt hours of electricity to its antennas. Once in orbit, according to Gunter's Space Page it will be co-implanted with Telstar's Telstar 14R.
It is currently expected that the time for Sunday morning takeoff has a 40% chance of violating conditions. According to the 45th Weather Squadron based at the Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, the main concerns are thick clouds and cumulus clouds. The squadron expects isolated Saturday afternoon showers to linger later in the night than due to a low frontal limit. . In case of 24-hour delay, the conditions should be similar
Block 5
SpaceX completed the static rocket fire test on July 18th. For evaluation, the rocket lacked both of its valuable cargo fairing that would be contained inside. At one point, the company performed the routine test with the payload fully installed to save time. However, on September 1, 2016, during the static test of the Amos-6 mission a few days later, the rocket suddenly exploded, resulting in the loss of the Falcon 9 and its payload of $ 185 million. 19659023] The Falcon 9 of the Bangabandhu-1 mission at the beginning of May is on the launch pad. Photo Credit: Michael Howard / SpaceFlight Insider "width =" 500 "height =" 333 "srcset =" http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SFI_7997-655×437.jpg 655w, http 300W, http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SFI_7997-768×512 jpg 768w, http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SFI_7997-1280×854.jpg 1280w, http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ SFI_7997.jpg 1300w "sizes =" (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px "/>
The Falcon 9 of the Bangabandhu-1 mission at the beginning of May is in the shooting range Photo credit: Michael Howard / SpaceFlight Insider
After a vigorous four-month investigation, SpaceX has traced the explosion of one of three composite pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the tank. second stage liquid oxygen In particular, it was concluded that the hec was the result of an accumulation of liquid oxygen between the COPV coating and the overwrap either in a vacuum or loop eventually experiencing ignition and failure of the COPV, according to the company in January 2017 .
Despite this setback, SpaceX has moved forward with its family of Falcon rockets. The company has changed its fuel loading procedure to eliminate the potential of this scenario. In addition, the COPVs have been redesigned for the last variant of Block 5.
Block 5, the final major change for the Falcon 9, is designed to be able to perform flights with as little as two days separating each mission (with an inspection of the rocket required between each flight). SpaceX has stated that its booster can be reused inexpensively and quickly and that it can carry out up to 10 flights without significant renovation. nine 1D Merlin engines at the base of the Falcon 9 and a thermal protection liner to assist with reentry and recovery maneuvers. The company said that more than 100 modifications have been made to the design of Block 5, the most visible being a black protective coating on the interstage, the protective path that routes the wiring and piping to the side of the vehicle.
The first block 5 was launched on May 11, 2018, with the satellite Bangabandhu-1 . The first stage was recovered on a drone less than 10 minutes later. The three flights since then used the first stages of block 4 previously piloted with untested recoveries. SpaceX has since evaluated the performance of the first stage of block 5.
For the Telstar 19 VANTAGE mission, however, a new block 5 will be used. His recovery is also anticipated using the automated spacecraft drone named " Of course, I still love you ."
If all goes as planned, this flight will be the 13th SpaceX of 2018 (including the first launch of the Falcon Heavy in January) and the 12th Falcon 9 mission of the year. Overall, it should be the company's 57th Falcon 9 flight since its debut in 2010.
Jason Rhian
Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills at NASA and other organizations. He has provided content for sales outlets such as: Aviation Week and Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.
