6 ms·

Does this mean they'll be launching from another facility? Right now, the trajectory goes over to the sea, and bringing the first stage back to dry land is expe

Does this mean they'll be launching from another facility? Right now, the trajectory goes over to the sea, and bringing the first stage back to dry land is expensive. They'd have to launch far away from the east coast.

dgritsko 12y ago
Yes, this launch will take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (according to http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php)
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
0xffff2 12y ago
Two factors: 1. Yes, they will eventually be launching elsewhere. SpaceX is currently building its own launch facility in Brownsville, TX, which would indeed permit landing at the cape. 2. Elon Musk seems to think that despite the expense, they can fly the rocket back to the launch pad for lighter payloads.
- jccooper 12y ago
  Florida's an awful long way from Brownsville. Take a look at the launch danger zones chart; first stage recovery is just off the coast. Maybe you could finagle a second stage recovery in Florida from Texas, but only from very specific inclinations. Doesn't seem likely to be useful.
  - djloche 12y ago
    My guess is that once they have their facility operational in TX, they will primarily launch from there, and keep Florida and California as backup options for their clients / use when necessary.
ridgeguy 12y ago
There's a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg scheduled for July 22. VAFB is a large coastal installation with lots of room for a return to land. schedule: http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ read near the end of this story for a statement that booster return to land is planned for the July 22 launch: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/spaceport-america-spacex-reusability-testing/ http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/spaceport-america-spa...
- themgt 12y ago
  Sounds like a July 22nd party in Cape Canaveral is in order?
  - timfrietas 12y ago
    Vandenberg is actually in California :)
    - themgt 12y ago
      I meant a landing party! :) (I may be wrong about where they intend to land, but see - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Landing_Complex_1_sign_at_old_Launch_Complex_13_(16619020720).jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Landing_Complex_1_sig...)
glassarrows 12y ago
>Jason 3 is a scientific Earth observation satellite designed to monitor and precisely measure the world’s oceans. Falcon 9 will attempt to land back at SLC-4W, marking the first land landing. http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php

dgritsko 12y ago

Yes, this launch will take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (according to http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php)

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]

0xffff2 12y ago

Two factors: 1. Yes, they will eventually be launching elsewhere. SpaceX is currently building its own launch facility in Brownsville, TX, which would indeed permit landing at the cape. 2. Elon Musk seems to think that despite the expense, they can fly the rocket back to the launch pad for lighter payloads.

jccooper 12y ago
Florida's an awful long way from Brownsville. Take a look at the launch danger zones chart; first stage recovery is just off the coast. Maybe you could finagle a second stage recovery in Florida from Texas, but only from very specific inclinations. Doesn't seem likely to be useful.
- djloche 12y ago
  My guess is that once they have their facility operational in TX, they will primarily launch from there, and keep Florida and California as backup options for their clients / use when necessary.

ridgeguy 12y ago

There's a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg scheduled for July 22. VAFB is a large coastal installation with lots of room for a return to land. schedule: http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ read near the end of this story for a statement that booster return to land is planned for the July 22 launch: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/spaceport-america-spacex-reusability-testing/ http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/spaceport-america-spa...

themgt 12y ago
Sounds like a July 22nd party in Cape Canaveral is in order?
- timfrietas 12y ago
  Vandenberg is actually in California :)
  - themgt 12y ago
    I meant a landing party! :) (I may be wrong about where they intend to land, but see - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Landing_Complex_1_sign_at_old_Launch_Complex_13_(16619020720).jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Landing_Complex_1_sig...)

glassarrows 12y ago

>Jason 3 is a scientific Earth observation satellite designed to monitor and precisely measure the world’s oceans. Falcon 9 will attempt to land back at SLC-4W, marking the first land landing. http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php http://spacexstats.com/upcoming.php