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MeteorWayne

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Jeezzz....quite a schedule <br />Posted by docm</DIV><br /><br />Indeed, very agressive. Although the first one has already slipped by a quarter or two, so I assume the rest will slide back as well. <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>
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<font size="2">One of the guys over at NASA SpaceFlight figured out, in order to keep this years schedule they need to manufacture 52 Merlin Engines. If the first one has a problem that needs to be changed they'd have to make that many alterations too. While I'd love to see that many Falcon 9 launches this year I can't see it happening.</font> <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>
 
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docm

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<p>In Feb. 2009 Musk stated, and NASA.gov quoted it here, that <em>by the end of 2008</em> they would have a production rate of 1 Merlin engine per week.</p><p>For arguments sake let's presume they acheived that production rate.&nbsp; Haven't seen anything that says they didn't.</p><p>Let's also say that for 2008 they <strong><em>averaged</em></strong> just 1 Merlin every <strong><em>three </em></strong>weeks.&nbsp; That would be a total production for 2008 of 17 engines.&nbsp; We <em>know </em>where 10 of them are.</p><p>17 engines produced in 2008 plus 52 to be produced in 2009 makes for a total of 69 Merlin engines. </p><p>The 10 engines for the current F9 + another 50 engines required for the other five F9 flights manifested for this year + the single F1 flight makes for 61 Merlin engines required. </p><p>69-61 = 8 more than needed. </p><p>That 8 engine margin doesn't take into account the 2008 producton being higher than 17 engines (let's say 1 Merlin every two weeks = 26) or increases in the production rate over 2009 & later, either from opening another line or just getting better at it - say a production rate of 1.1 per week.&nbsp; </p><p>1.1 would result in at least 57 engines being produced in 2009. </p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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tanstaafl76

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<p>It may not be a meetable schedule, but I admire their ambition. &nbsp;I would rather they aim high and show what a MOTIVATED production cycle looks like. &nbsp;Sometimes with government agencies there is the pressure to draw things out longer in order to maximize funding, it's interesting to see the exact opposite take place with SpaceX. &nbsp;Now of course they will have to deliver safe, successful flights even if they hit their production deadlines, which is where the rubber meets the road. &nbsp;Best of luck to them, I hope their activities re-invigorate NASA and show what can be done with clear vision, hard work, and a sense of urgency.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<p><font size="2"><font size="2">FAA gives SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon launches environmental OK</font></font></p><p><font size="2">The US Federal Aviation Administration has posted to the US government's federal register today its Environmental Assessment (EA) that found no significant impact in the operation of the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)&nbsp;Fal</font></p><p><font size="2">The US Air Force had already concluded on 21 December 2007 that there would be no significant impact<br /><br />Interestingly the FAA assessment states that Cape Canaveral space launch complexes 37 and 47 were both considered as alternatives for the Falcon rockets. The FAA's EA also examined the reentry and recovery of SpaceX's Dragon capsule as it&nbsp;will go towards the FAA launch operations and Dragon reentry licences the company will need<br /><br />The FAA assessment also reveals that as well as the previously stated landing area of the Californian coast&nbsp;for Dragon, the other two landing zones are the Atlantic ocean, east of Flordia, (for launch aborts I guess) and the equitorial Pacific, near the Marshall islands<br /><br />I have been told by 'sources' that there is a typo in the FAA-posted notice.&nbsp; It says the alternatives were launch complexes SLC 37 and SLC 47.&nbsp; The Air Force finding, signed 12/21/07, highlighted SLC 36 and SLC 47.&nbsp; SLC 36 was the old Atlas II launch pads that were no longer in use.&nbsp;SLC 37 is the Delta IV launch pad</font></p><p><font size="2">con 1 and 9 rockets and Dragon spacecraft&nbsp;from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station</font> </p> <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>
 
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js117

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<p>There&nbsp;are a few photos on Nasaspacefight.com&nbsp; forum of the&nbsp; spaceX&nbsp;&nbsp;processing building&nbsp; for F9 at&nbsp; SLC-40.</p><p>Falcon 9 is&nbsp; horizontal</p>
 
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mr_mark

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Nasa Spaceflight Now reports that the docking clamp for Dragon is set to arrive at the ISS on a shuttle flight very soon so this thing is definately happening people, exciting news.
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Nasa Spaceflight Now reports that the docking clamp for Dragon is set to arrive at the ISS on a shuttle flight very soon so this thing is definately happening people, exciting news. <br />Posted by mr_mark</DIV></p><p><font size="2">The TOS requires you to post a link to any article you reference. Is this the one you were talking about?<br /></font></p> <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>
 
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mr_mark

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Yes Boris1961, that's the article I was refering to. I didn't know that rule, thanks exciting news! Anyone know when Dragon Eye is scheduled to go up. ( Dragon Eye...hmmm...makes me think of that James Bond movie.)
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<font size="2"><font size="2">COTS D Video.</font></font> <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>
 
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mr_mark

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All I can say is WOW!&nbsp;Great video of COTS D, Let's all hope this day comes soon.
 
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Swampcat

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<font color="#660099"><strong>COMMERCIAL CREW TRANSPORT TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION</strong></font>&nbsp; <p><strong class="blue smallText">Wednesday, February 11th, 2009</strong></p><p>This will be a very big year for SpaceX and the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. In 2006, SpaceX won the NASA COTS competition to demonstrate transport of cargo and optionally crew to and from the International Space Station. Under that agreement, SpaceX will conduct the second flight of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and first flight of its Dragon spacecraft in 2009. The final flight, scheduled for 2010, will demonstrate Dragon's ability to berth with the Space Station.</p><p>Immediately thereafter, SpaceX will begin conducting the first of 12 operational cargo flights to the Space Station, awarded under the Cargo Resupply Services contract a few months ago. The CRS contract has a minimum value of $1.6B and a maximum value of $3.1B and, as stated by NASA, its success is vital to the future of the Space Station.</p><p><br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/2/8eba1e6d-0b91-4186-b203-4773c0193600.Medium.jpg" alt="" /></p><p>Since COTS Capability D is an existing option in an already competed contract, NASA could exercise it right away, resulting in <strong>immediate job creation</strong>. It is also worth noting that COTS D, like the COTS A-C funding, is a fixed price agreement and is only awarded as each milestone is achieved. If SpaceX is unable to pass the milestones, no taxpayer money is spent.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There's more at the link as well as a link to the COTS D video.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<h3 class="sIFR-replaced"><font color="#0000ff"><span class="sIFR-alternate">How to show your support</span></font></h3><div class="hr3"><font color="#0000ff"><hr /></font></div><p><strong><font size="2" color="#0000ff">To ask your Congressional representative to support NASA Exploration and COTS Capability D:</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2" color="#0000ff">Find the contact info for your Congressional representatives at the following links :</font></strong></p><p><font size="2" color="#000000">This sure looks like a full court press to get Capability D funded. IIRC Cap D is supposed&nbsp;to kick off in December of this year. If they can get going on this we may see the first passenger flights by 2012. I've got my fingers crossed.</font></p> <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>
 
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docm

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MY fingers won't be crossed - they'll be dialing the phone and typing emails. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>MY fingers won't be crossed - they'll be dialing the phone and typing emails. <br />Posted by docm</DIV><br /><br />As mr_mark said, we sure are waiting for some more news. SpaceX seems to go to sleep for long periods...bad marketing! <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>
 
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ThereIWas2

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<span class="hr1"><hr /> </span> <blockquote> <p class="style3">&nbsp;</p><blockquote><font size="3" color="#0000ff">By now, most of you have heard the $787 billion Stimulus Bill passed and was officially signed into law Tuesday. However, you may not know that Congress approved $1 billion for NASA in the Stimulus Bill, which included $400 million for NASA's exploration mission. </font><p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="style3"><font size="3" color="#0000ff">SpaceX would like to thank the many supporters who responded to our email and voiced their support to Congress for this funding. 2009 will be a big year not only for SpaceX, but the industry as a whole. Your efforts are truly appreciated.</font></p> <p class="style3"><font size="2" color="#0000ff">&mdash;Elon&mdash; </font></p></blockquote><hr /><br /><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I do not know if this means NASA is required to spend this on COTS-D though. </p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><span class="postbody"><span style="font-style:italic"><br /></span></span></p> </div>
 
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Boris_Badenov

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> &nbsp;By now, most of you have heard the $787 billion Stimulus Bill passed and was officially signed into law Tuesday. However, you may not know that Congress approved $1 billion for NASA in the Stimulus Bill, which included $400 million for NASA's exploration mission. &nbsp; SpaceX would like to thank the many supporters who responded to our email and voiced their support to Congress for this funding. 2009 will be a big year not only for SpaceX, but the industry as a whole. Your efforts are truly appreciated. &mdash;Elon&mdash; &nbsp;I do not know if this means NASA is required to spend this on COTS-D though. <br />Posted by ThereIWas2</DIV><br /><br /><font size="2">IIRC COTS-D funding&nbsp;is supposed to be $300 million.&nbsp;So this is in the right neighborhood. I sure hope it's funded, but I'm not holding my breath for an announcement until after a successful Falcon 9 launch or two.</font> <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>
 
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js117

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<br /><h1 class="sIFR-replaced"><span class="sIFR-alternate">SpaceX Manufactured Heat Shield Material Passes High Temperature Tests Simulating Reentry Heating Conditions of Dragon Spacecraft</span></h1><div class="hr1"><hr /><br /><p><strong>Company becomes only the second commercial source for the record holding NASA-developed material</strong></p><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>HAWTHORNE, CA &ndash; February 23, 2009 &ndash; Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the passing of a significant technical milestone in the development of its Dragon spacecraft with the successful arc jet testing of PICA-X high performance heat shield material.</p><p>Subjected to temperatures as high as 1850 degrees Celsius (3360 degrees Fahrenheit), the tests simulated the reentry heating conditions that will be experienced by the Dragon capsule. Panels of the high performance carbon-based material will protect cargo and crew during the spacecraft's return from Earth orbit.</p><p>SpaceX developed the ability to manufacture PICA-X with the assistance of NASA, the originator of PICA (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator). The &ldquo;X&rdquo; stands for the SpaceX-developed variants of the rigid, lightweight material, which has several improved properties and greater ease of manufacture.</p><p>&ldquo;We tested three different variants developed by SpaceX,&rdquo; said Tom Mueller, VP of Propulsion, SpaceX. &ldquo;Compared to the PICA heat shield flown successfully on NASA's Stardust sample return capsule, our SpaceX versions equaled or improved the performance of the heritage material in all cases.&rdquo;</p><p>The tests were conducted at the Arc Jet Complex at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, which has a rich history in the development of Thermal Protective Systems for NASA spacecraft, including Apollo, Space Shuttle, and robotic missions to Venus, Mars, and Saturn. The NASA Ames Arc Jet Complex is uniquely capable of simulating conditions experienced during reentry.</p><p>&ldquo;The arc jet tests represent the culmination of an aggressive six-month development effort, and our goals have been met or exceeded,&rdquo; <br />said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. &ldquo;Dragon will be the first craft to return from Low Earth Orbit using a PICA-based thermal <br />protection system.&rdquo;</p><p>SpaceX is only the second commercial producer of a PICA-based material. All of SpaceX's initial production will be used for domestic in-house applications including the heat shields of the Dragon spacecraft, and the Falcon 9 second stage, which is designed to return from orbit for recovery and reuse.</p><p>The inaugural Dragon spacecraft flight is scheduled for 2009 aboard SpaceX's new Falcon 9 launcher.</p><p>The Dragon capsule will enter the Earth's atmosphere at around 7 kilometers per second (15,660 miles per hour), heating the exterior <br />of the shield to up to 1850 degrees Celsius. However, just a few inches of the PICA-X material will keep the interior of the capsule at <br />room temperature.</p><p>In January 2006, NASA's Stardust sample return capsule, equipped with a PICA heat shield, set the record for the fastest reentry speed of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere &mdash; experiencing 12.9 kilometers per second (28,900 miles per hour). SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will return at just over half of that speed, and will experience only one tenth as much heating.</p><br /><br /><p><strong>About SpaceX</strong></p><p>SpaceX is revolutionizing access to space by developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With its Falcon line of launch vehicles, powered by internally-developed Merlin engines, SpaceX offers light, medium and heavy lift capabilities to deliver spacecraft into any altitude and inclination, from low-Earth orbit to geosynchronous to planetary missions. On September 28, 2008, Falcon 1, designed and manufactured from the ground up by SpaceX, became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth, demonstrating that through simplicity, both reliability and low cost can be achieved in commercial spaceflight.</p><p>As a winner of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition (COTS), SpaceX will conduct three flights of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, culminating in Dragon berthing with the ISS. SpaceX is the only COTS contender that has the capability to return cargo and crew to Earth. NASA also has an option to demonstrate crew services to the ISS using the Falcon 9 / Dragon system.</p><p>In addition, NASA recently selected the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS) Cargo Resupply Services (CRS) contract award. The contract includes 12 flights between 2010 and 2015 and represents a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg to be carried to the International Space Station.</p><p>Founded in 2002, the SpaceX team now numbers more than 620 full time employees, primarily located in Hawthorne, California, with additional locations in Texas, at SpaceX's Test Facility in McGregor near Waco; offices in Washington DC; and launch facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific.</p><p>Link to article&nbsp;&nbsp; http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20090223</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
 
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mr_mark

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Great development news, I thought they already were at the production stage with Dragon considering they want to fly it this year. Nice also about heat shielding for the second stage. Now on to falcon1 flight 5. Let's see some pics about that please........
 
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js117

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Great development news, I thought they already were at the production stage with Dragon considering they want to fly it this year. Nice also about heat shielding for the second stage. Now on to falcon1 flight 5. Let's see some pics about that please........ <br />Posted by mr_mark</DIV><br />There is only one pic on there Web site and it is not much'.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A sample of PICA-X heat shield material subjected to temperatures of up to 1850 degrees Celsius (3360 degrees Fahrenheit), <br />at the Arc Jet Complex at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. The NASA-originated PICA material holds the <br />record for high-speed reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. The SpaceX-developed and manufactured PICA-X variants meet or <br />exceed the performance of the original material, and will protect the Dragon spacecraft on its return to Earth. <br />The first flight is scheduled for 2009</p><p><br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/6/79352932-3b29-41c1-96c2-ac88760b17b2.Medium.jpg" alt="" /></p><p>From SpaceX</p>
 
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Boris_Badenov

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<font size="2">I wonder if the PICA Heat Shield will allow Dragon to return from The Moon?</font> <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>
 
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docm

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If the PICA-X is thick enough I'd bet yes, but with a reduced down mass.
 
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The_Chef

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http://sefspaceworks.com/?q=node/154

ATSB Sets May 2009 Launch Date for RazakSat
Date:February 17, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd is preparing to launch the RazakSAT small satellite by May of 2009 after several multi-year launch delays.

RazakSAT is a Malaysian Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite which was originally called MACSAT. RazakSAT's payload is mainly electro-optical, carrying a Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) with five linear detectors (one panchromatic, four multi-spectral) weighing approximately 50kg. The entire satellite weighs175kg.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, said the original plan was to launch the satellite in 2005, but it was delayed due to problems with the launch vehicle, including the Falcon 1, and with the satellite itself.

"It will be in the April/May time period," Arshad has announced.

The RazakSAT will be launched from Kwajalein of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, he said.

The launch will include two piggybacking payloads, CubeSAT and InnoSAT.

The mission of the Innovative Satellite (InnoSAT) is to demonstrate local innovative space technology. The purpose of this payload is to provide a satellite navigation module based on a space GPS receiver (SGR) that is low-cost to build which uses generic, off-the-shelf (COTS) components and in-house developed algorithms. The device is able to operate in place of a conventional inertial navigation system.
 
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