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It is worth noting that today's launch was just barely more than one month after the last (December 3rd). They are getting pretty good at this.

by Crito 13y ago

lonnyk 13y ago
I know 'within one month' is the next exciting milestone, but I can't wait for days with multi-launch schedules. I assume the launches will be from a large number of companies - which makes it even more exciting.
greglindahl 13y ago
They have a total of 13 planned launches of Falcon 9 from the Cape in 2014. An extremely ambitious plan; good thing they're hitting the right tempo from the start. http://www.spacex.com/missions http://www.spacex.com/missions
shirro 13y ago
Having multiple launch sites is starting to make more sense. I guess they can be integrating and testing several at the same time. It seems like a very quick ramp up. It will be interesting to see if they can keep to that schedule and launch a Falcon Heavy, recover a first stage and do a Dragon launch abort all in the same year.
- Sanddancer 13y ago
  Multiple sites makes sense for more than that. Different places on the globe are good for different sorts of launches. Vandenberg's better for polar launches, Canaveral is better for launches that are more equatorial in nature.
  - rst 13y ago
    In fact, if they'd tried either of their last two launches at Vandenberg, there would have been a very substantial performance penalty. From Canaveral, the rockets head generally eastward, in the direction of the eventual orbit. From Vandenberg, they can't --- it would take them over populated land. So, if you want to launch into an equatorial orbit from Vandenberg, you have to have the rocket initially head south, over water, and then turn. This wastes a lot of fuel, and it's not something anyone wants to do if they can avoid it. So, the SpaceX Manifest lists only two launches from Vandenberg in 2014 --- and one of them is the Falcon Heavy demo flight, for which no payload has yet been announced. Manifest here: http://www.spacex.com/missions http://www.spacex.com/missions
smackfu 13y ago
Although that was kind of accidental, since the December 3rd launch was originally supposed to be November 25th but was delayed twice.
- Crito 13y ago
  Aye, they didn't exactly plan it out this way, but the fact that they were able to do the launch on the 6th even after the SES-8 launch was pushed back demonstrates that they are capable of quick turnaround.

It is worth noting that today's launch was just barely more than one month after the last (December 3rd). They are getting pretty good at this.

by Crito 13y ago

It is worth noting that today's launch was just barely more than one month after the last (December 3rd). They are getting pretty good at this.

lonnyk 13y ago

I know 'within one month' is the next exciting milestone, but I can't wait for days with multi-launch schedules. I assume the launches will be from a large number of companies - which makes it even more exciting.

greglindahl 13y ago

They have a total of 13 planned launches of Falcon 9 from the Cape in 2014. An extremely ambitious plan; good thing they're hitting the right tempo from the start. http://www.spacex.com/missions http://www.spacex.com/missions

shirro 13y ago

Having multiple launch sites is starting to make more sense. I guess they can be integrating and testing several at the same time. It seems like a very quick ramp up. It will be interesting to see if they can keep to that schedule and launch a Falcon Heavy, recover a first stage and do a Dragon launch abort all in the same year.

Sanddancer 13y ago
Multiple sites makes sense for more than that. Different places on the globe are good for different sorts of launches. Vandenberg's better for polar launches, Canaveral is better for launches that are more equatorial in nature.
- rst 13y ago
  In fact, if they'd tried either of their last two launches at Vandenberg, there would have been a very substantial performance penalty. From Canaveral, the rockets head generally eastward, in the direction of the eventual orbit. From Vandenberg, they can't --- it would take them over populated land. So, if you want to launch into an equatorial orbit from Vandenberg, you have to have the rocket initially head south, over water, and then turn. This wastes a lot of fuel, and it's not something anyone wants to do if they can avoid it. So, the SpaceX Manifest lists only two launches from Vandenberg in 2014 --- and one of them is the Falcon Heavy demo flight, for which no payload has yet been announced. Manifest here: http://www.spacex.com/missions http://www.spacex.com/missions

smackfu 13y ago

Although that was kind of accidental, since the December 3rd launch was originally supposed to be November 25th but was delayed twice.

Crito 13y ago
Aye, they didn't exactly plan it out this way, but the fact that they were able to do the launch on the 6th even after the SES-8 launch was pushed back demonstrates that they are capable of quick turnaround.