Updates SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 with Cassiope, POPACS (x6), CUSat 1&2, September 29, 2013

[Kyle]

Maiden voyage of the Falcon 9 v1.1, a significantly modified version of the Falcon 9. Featuring an entirely new engine configuration and an extended 1st stage as well as other noticeable changes. This will be SpaceX's first satellite launch with Canada's Cassiope as well as the first flight in a fairing configuration. Will also be the first flight out of Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Launch date: September 29th, 2013.

Launch window: 1600-1800 GMT

Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Payload: Cassiope, POPACS (x6), CUSat 1&2

 

[Kyle]

Information about the Cassiope satellite.

http://mertensiana.phys.ucalgary.ca/cassiope.html

"CAScade, Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer" (CASSIOPE) is a made-in-Canada small satellite from the Canadian Space Agency. It is comprised of three working elements that will use the first multi-purpose small satellite platform from the Canadian Small Satellite Bus Program. This generic, low-cost platform will carry two payloads: e-POP, a scientific payload consisting of eight high-resolution instruments used to probe the characteristics of near-Earth space, and Cascade, a high data rate, high capacity store and forward technology payload from MDA Corporation.

Together, e-POP and Cascade will achieve both a scientific and a commercial objective: e-POP will provide scientists with unprecedented details about the Earth's ionosphere, thermosphere and magnetosphere, helping scientists understand the cause and effects of potentially dangerous space weather, while Cascade will demonstrate a new digital communications 'courier' service provided by MDA.

CASSIOPE is hexagonal in shape, measuring just 180 cm corner-to-corner and 125 cm high and weighing in at just over 500 kg. Partners in the mission include the University of Calgary, Commuications Research Centre in Ottawa, Bristol Aerospace of Winnipeg, and MDA of Richmond, B.C., the prime contractor for the overall mission."

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Seems like a lot of rocket for such a small payload :hmm:

 

[Kyle]

Seems like a lot of rocket for such a small payload :hmm:

I wouldn't want to put anything too big and expensive on a maiden flight of anything. :thumbup:

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Ok, point. Maybe there's some ballast, though...

 

[orb]

O-F Staff Note: Thread Re-Opened. Please keep this thread on topic for news updates only. the discussion around the plan to recover the first stage has been moved here.

 

[Kyle]

I'm assuming this is either the upcoming F9's fairing or for the SES-8 flight in July. Judging by the date it was taken, I'd say the forward.

 

[Urwumpe]

Looks like a separation test.

 

[Kyle]

Looks like a separation test.

Correct.
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk 19 Mar
Testing separation of F9 rocket fairing (can hold a city bus) in world's largest vacuum chamber pic.twitter.com/2zkLi4ON0s

---------- Post added 04-09-13 at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was 04-08-13 at 11:08 PM ----------

Now July 9th, with a launch window from 12pm - 2pm. If they're announcing the launch window, it appears to me this would be a more solid and reasonable date.

 

[Kyle]

Looks like the launch may be delayed to NET July 20th, no word yet.

 

[Kyle]

Confirmed delay: NET July 20th, 2013.

 

[IronRain]

Fairing separation test:

 

[Kyle]

Delayed until August 14th.

 

[Alfastar]

Delayed until August 14th.

Is there a reason for this delay (again)?

 

[Kyle]

There wasn't a clear reason given, but I'm assuming as it's the first flight of a new vehicle and out of a new pad that there are several small problems with the pad or the vehicle that needs to be tuned for flight.

 

[Kyle]

Via SpaceX's Facebook page.

An American flag flies high atop SpaceX’s new transporter erector at Vandenberg. Happy Fourth of July!

 

[Kyle]

Looking for a WDR at the end of the month and a launch on September 5th, 2013. Launch window extends from 03:27-03:31 UT.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Looking for a WDR sometime before August ends and a launch on September 5th, 2013. Launch window extends from 03:27-03:31 UT.

That's, um, the old launch window for LADEE (Minotaur V), now planned at that window on Sept. 7. IIRC back when this launch was planned in June the launch window was something like 16:00 - 18:00 UTC (9 - 11 am PDT).

 

[Kyle]

Good catch! The date was right next to the scheduled Falcon 9 launch and my mind kind of threaded the two together.

---------- Post added 08-20-13 at 12:26 PM ---------- Previous post was 08-19-13 at 06:45 PM ----------

The correct launch window is 9-11 a.m. PDT.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

I wonder if those 3 soldiers on the right are SpaceX hardcore fans? :rofl:

This launch has slipped into mid-September as we are still waiting for updates on the final crucial tests like the Wet Dress Rehearsal and the important static test fire.