Next Falcon 1 launch with RazakSat - June?

[holmec]

According to this article:<br /><br />http://www.asmmag.com/ASM/content/2006/ASM_032/main_news_5.html<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Razaksat will be launched from Omelek Island, Marshall Island, using the Falcon 1 launch vehicle. It is due up in June 2007. Razaksat was originally planned for launch early this year, but delays in the development of the Falcon have caused this date to be set back.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />And the FAA web site shows Falcon 1 has been licenced for launch with the RazakSat.<br /><br />http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/launch_data/upcoming_launch/ <br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p> TBD 2007 RazakSat Falcon 1 SX RTS<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[christine16]

do you know on what day it will be launched?

 

[MeteorWayne]

A date has not been set yet. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

I'm kind of skeptical that it will launch in June. But its interesting to note that eventhough the OSD/NRL was supposed to be launched before the RazakSat, it looks like its being pushed back to like September.<br /><br />September? – TacSat-1/Celestis-Explorers – Falcon 1 – Omelek <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[subzero788]

SpaceX's own site lists the launch for the fourth quarter. Knowing their record, I'll be suprised if it goes up before the end of the year.

 

[holmec]

Right. And I'm pointing out that it seems SpaceX's website needs to be updated if the other web sites are correct. That tells me there is something going on in the back ground. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[subzero788]

holmec, who do you think is the more reliable source, SpaceX or Asian Surveying & Mapping? Plus that article you referenced is from May 2006. I'd love to see the Falcon go up this month too mate but looks like we'll have to wait till later this year.

 

[holmec]

Dude, I'm just as skeptic as you are. But the FAA site shows me that the RazakSat launch will probably be attempted before the TacSat which conflicts with SpaceX's website. The FAA site is current. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[soyuztma]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Dude, I'm just as skeptic as you are. But the FAA site shows me that the RazakSat launch will probably be attempted before the TacSat which conflicts with SpaceX's website. The FAA site is current.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />How do you deduct from the FAA site that the Razaksat launch will be attempted before the Tacsat launch? Remember that Tacsat is a military launch and military launches don't require FAA approval. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

SoyuzTMA, explain to me what and why and when FAA approval is needed. Because I cannot figure it out for the life of me. SpaceX is commercial, the payload is a Naval Observatory demo, thus military. So is it the payload that dictates, the range, or the launcher? And how do you know? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

"So is it the payload that dictates, the range, or the launcher?"<br /><br />It really ends up being how the launch service is procured. GOES launches are commercial since Boeing Satellite Systems buys the launch service vs NASA. <br />A gov't procured launch service doesn't require FAA approval<br /><br />

 

[holmec]

Thank Jim, it just so frustrating.<br /><br />Anyway via FAA we have evidence that the RazakSat is inteded to be launched sometime soon. And as for the TacSat I only know of a hint that points to maybe September 2007. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

I sent an e-mail to Lauren Fincher at SpaceX & actually got a reply. I asked when the RazakSat will launch, & they replied;<br /><br /><font color="yellow">Patrick,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Razaksat is still slated for launch by the end of the year. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Warm regards,</font><br /><br />So now we know the Razaksat will launch in the 4th quarter like it says in the launch manifest.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[thereiwas]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>So now we know the Razaksat will launch in the 4th quarter...<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />The "end of June" is "by the end of the year" is it not? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Maybe they want to surprise us. But based on past performance of just about every rocket program in history, 4th Qtr is more likely.

 

[holmec]

Thanks that clears thing up a bit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

I just think their estimates are optimistic. But that's not necessarily bad in the business world. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>