SpaceX launches Thaicom-8 - Lands on OCISLY - "One if by land, and three if by sea." - Polidicks

[B]First stage landed successfully, primary mission successful pending AOS from satellite in the next few hours.[/B] Landing: [video=youtube;4jEz03Z8azc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jEz03Z8azc[/video] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sbz9rOf.png[/IMG] [B]Narrated Livestream[/B] [video=youtube;zBYC4f79iXc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYC4f79iXc[/video] [B]Technical Livestream[/B] [video=youtube;wPYOtCFSLKw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPYOtCFSLKw[/video] [B]Payload details[/B] [QUOTE]Thaicom-8 is a Ku-Band satellite built on Orbital ATK’s GEOStar-2TM platform. The payload includes 24 active transponders that will deliver broadcast and data services to customers in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa. “We built and delivered this high-quality communications satellite for Thaicom PLC two months ahead of schedule, demonstrating our ability to manufacture reliable, affordable and innovative products that exceed expectations for our customer,” noted Amer Khouri, Vice President of the Commercial Satellite Business at Orbital ATK. “As one of Asia’s leading satellite operators, we are grateful for Thaicom’s continued confidence and look forward to more successful partnerships in the future.” [/QUOTE] [URL="https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/spacex-line-up-falcon-9-upcoming-missions/"]Source[/URL] [URL="https://www.orbitalatk.com/space-systems/commercial-satellites/communications-satellites/docs/FS014_13_OA_3862%20Thaicom%208.pdf"]More details[/URL] Target is GTO [B]Landing Attempt[/B] Will attempt to land on OCISLY again, this satellite has considerably lower mass and [URL="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1hPTkh1m08a7Jvpk3_3xpW6rQwTg"]OCISLY is slightly is further downrange[/URL] than previous GTO mission landing attempts. It's probably going to be another three engine landing burn, though there is some rumblings about them potentially having the fuel margin to attempt a single engine burn. Still waiting for official confirmation for specific landing attempt details. A storm is also forming east of the Bahamas that may move into OCISLY's path before it will be able to return home with the booster in the event of a successful landing. [B]Mission Timeline[/B] [QUOTE]Hour/Min Events - 00:38 Launch Conductor takes launch readiness poll - 00:35 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) and LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway - 00:10 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch - 00:02 Range Control Officer (USAF) verifies range is go for launch - 00:01:30 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch - 00:01 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks - 00:01 Pressurize propellant tanks - 00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Hour/Min Events 00:01:17 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) 00:02:35 1st stage engine shutdown/main engine cutoff (MECO) 00:02:39 1st and 2nd stages separate 00:02:46 2nd stage engine starts first burn 00:03:37 Fairing deployment 00:08:56 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) 00:27:07 2nd stage engine restarts for second burn 00:28:20 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2) 00:31:56 THAICOM 8 satellite deployed[/QUOTE] [B]Current Status[/B] Landed successfully and deploy satellite to the correct orbit and separated successfully. [media]https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/736313075385540608[/media] [media]https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/736318984182599680[/media] [B]Launch time in other timezones (UPDATED):[/B] 14:40 PDT 15:40 MDT 16:40 CDT 17:40 EDT 21:40 UTC 22:40 BST 23:40 CEST 27th 07:40 AEST

Press-kit: [URL]http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_thaicom_8_press_kit.pdf[/URL] The launch was expected to be at 10am local time for me, and it was killing since I'd finish work 3hours before and be back at work 5hours later. Now the launch is 40minutes after I finish work! :joy:

Oh fuck yes I cannot wait to see them nail it again.

[QUOTE=cody8295;50391838]Oh fuck yes I cannot wait to see them nail it again.[/QUOTE] Please keep in mind that for GTO missions the landing attempts are still considered to have a high risk of failure. Though due to the low mass I am optimistic.

The [URL="http://www.nasa.gov/content/bigelow-expandable-activity-module"]BEAM module[/URL] taken up on CRS-8 will be inflating in 21minutes (as of this edit) I believe they are streaming it here: [URL]http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public[/URL] Press release: [URL]http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-televises-hosts-events-for-deployment-of-first-expandable-habitat-on-0/[/URL]

Weather remains 90% go with just under 5 hours to go

3 hours and something left

1 hour to showtime.

What to do in less than 48 minutes: - Order pizza - Can't think of anything else

[QUOTE=The bird Man;50397531]What to do in less than 48 minutes: - Order pizza - Can't think of anything else[/QUOTE] I'm in severe weather so hopefully not lose power/die

I want to watch the stream but I'm going to be in class at that time. :( Here's to hoping for a good launch and landing!

Oh boy I finally am here for a rocket launch live again! Third time in my life I've had this chance. I always seem to miss the live streams.

Could be delayed a bit but should still launch tonight: [media]https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/735943268555329536[/media]

Awwww hopefully it launches tonight!!

I don't like this - we know what happened the last time they left it sitting on the pad with the subchilled fuel (No thanks to OvB and his Florida charter boat).

[QUOTE=Bradyns;50397795]I don't like this - we know what happened the last time they left it sitting on the pad with the subchilled fuel.[/QUOTE] Have they even started fueling it yet?

[QUOTE=OvB;50397801]Have they even started fueling it yet?[/QUOTE] They generally start at +30m... that said, they may have delayed that and not mentioned it until 8minutes past that time on Twitter.

[QUOTE=OvB;50397801]Have they even started fueling it yet?[/QUOTE] A photographer on site said it was venting so it's probably at least partially fueled. Also reports of the coast guard chasing off a boat on the port canaveral radio. [editline]26th May 2016[/editline] Venting: [media]https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/735948796291584000[/media]

[QUOTE=Morgen;50397829]A photographer on site said it was venting so it's probably at least partially fueled. Also reports of the coast guard chasing off a boat on the port canaveral radio. [editline]26th May 2016[/editline] Venting: [/QUOTE] Anyone got that radio broadcast website that we used last time? Got it: [url]http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/21054/web[/url]

[QUOTE=Bradyns;50397854]Anyone got that radio broadcast website that we used last time?[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/21054/web[/url] [editline]26th May 2016[/editline] Coast guard just switched to another frequency though it seems.

Livestream hasn't started yet. Maybe they're waiting for the weather to clear.

[QUOTE=RockyTV;50397876]Livestream hasn't started yet. Maybe they're waiting for the weather to clear.[/QUOTE] Don't think it's a weather issue. Could launch anytime up to 7:40 EDT. Rumours that it's moved towards the end of the window.

Coast guard to Wendy 1 (112 ft motor yacht with 3 people onboard headed to Charleston) has been notified of the safety zone. That radio feed is p cool

Venting has stopped: [media]https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/735953408084021248[/media]

Gotta love technology: [url]http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:429203/zoom:10[/url]

Apparently SpaceX has announced a new launch time of 7:40PM EDT (2 hours after original time) to people on site.

Livestream countdown is now set to 11:46 PM GMT.

[QUOTE=helifreak;50398025]Livestream countdown is now set to 11:46 PM GMT.[/QUOTE] 11:36 PM (7:36 PM EDT) now, 4 mins before the window ends.

Sun sets at 20:13 EDT - so hopefully there will be plenty of light.

In the event of a scrub tonight, backup is tomorrow, 70% go on weather for tomorrow still.