SpaceX return to flight scheduled for early december

[Cirocco]

Good news for fellow spaceX enthusiasts (and just space enthusiasts in general): it seems that spaceX will once again be launching the falcon 9 in a couple of weeks. Source:

http://www.universetoday.com/120085/spacex-sets-ambitious-falcon-9-return-to-flight-agenda-with-dual-december-blastoffs/

haven't seen a post or thread on this yet so I figured I'd throw it up onto the space lounge.

[Tex Mechs Robot]

secondary mission still include landing on the barge? didn't see that anywhere in the article.

[Cirocco]

not a clue. I saw rumours that it would, but only that: rumours.

EDIT: found this on spaceflightnow

https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/10/18/orbcomm-first-in-falcon-9s-return-to-flight-launch-queue/

article literally says "The Orbcomm launch would mark SpaceX’s first rocket landing attempt since April." but this article dates from 18th of October, not sure if it's still viable. And they do say that it would mark the first landing attempt since April. Not that it will.

2nd EDIT: launch schedule on spaceflightnow doesn't mention anything about landing attempts. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst I guess.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Cirocco

[Kerbal01]

Much more detail on NSF, with sourced rumors of a possible land landing (recent satellite imagery (shared on public NSF) of LC-1 of a nearly complete pad seems to support this).

[Cirocco]

you have a link to the information on NSF? I can't seem to find any additional info or satellite imagery. A land landing seems unlikely, I believe spaceX specifically stated that they wanted a successful ocean landing before they'd go to a land landing.

I could be wrong of course.

EDIT: Found something on NasaSpaceFlight!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/10/spacex-fire-full-thrust-falcon-9-first-stage/

last couple of paragraphs of the article, when talking about the ORBCOMM mission:

Although the primary mission will be the obvious focus of the launch, the ascent won’t be the last time we’ll see the first stage. This mission will once again involve an attempt to return the first stage on to a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean.

With additional improvements added to the stage during the post-CRS-7 failure period, and providing the weather conditions downrange from the Cape are acceptable, hopes are high SpaceX will be successful in nailing a landing on the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) “Of Course I Still Love Youâ€Â.

Looks like they're going for another ocean landing. The fact that they're already building or nearly finishing a land-based landing pad is probably just planning ahead of time in anticipation of a successful ocean landing.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Cirocco

[r4pt0r]

clearly they need to focus on launching first eh?

[Cirocco]

clearly they need to focus on launching first eh?

Of course. I'm just happy that they're returning to flight again with the falcon 9. If they do make another landing attempt then that's just icing on the cake

[How2FoldSoup]

All future launches will feature a landing attempt. The orbcomm launch is only to LEO so it's no problemo. Falcon 9 also recently got a few upgrades that will now allow it to attempt a landing even with GEO missions. This means that for all payloads to LEO or GEO will feature a landing attempt. Expect one from every launch from now on .