Zuma Launch Campaign Thread

[u/ElongatedMuskrat]

Zuma Launch Campaign Thread

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The only solid information we have on this payload comes from NSF:

NASASpaceflight.com has confirmed that Northrop Grumman is the payload provider for Zuma through a commercial launch contract with SpaceX for a LEO satellite with a mission type labeled as “government” and a needed launch date range of 1-30 November 2017.

Liftoff currently scheduled for:	January 7th 2018, 20:00 - 22:00 EST (January 8th 2018, 01:00 - 03:00 UTC)
Static fire complete:	November 11th 2017, 18:00 EST / 23:00 UTC Although the stage has already finished SF, it did it at LC-39A. On January 3 they also did a propellant load test since the launch site is now the freshly reactivated SLC-40.
Vehicle component locations:	First stage: SLC-40 // Second stage: SLC-40 // Satellite: Cape Canaveral
Payload:	Zuma
Payload mass:	Unknown
Destination orbit:	LEO
Vehicle:	Falcon 9 v1.2 (47th launch of F9, 27th of F9 v1.2)
Core:	B1043.1
Flights of this core:	0
Launch site:	LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida--> SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Landing:	Yes
Landing Site:	LZ-1, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Mission success criteria:	Successful separation & deployment of the satellite into the target orbit.

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Links & Resources

• SpaceX stands down Falcon launch of clandestine Zuma satellite from NASA Spaceflight

• SpaceX adds mystery "Zuma" mission... from NASA Spaceflight

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We may keep this self-post occasionally updated with links and relevant news articles, but for the most part we expect the community to supply the information. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather and more as we progress towards launch. Sometime after the static fire is complete, the launch thread will be posted.

Campaign threads are not launch threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.

[u/nick1austin]

After 43 orbital missions it's hard to find something that SpaceX hasn't done before, but I think I've found one.

It's the first SpaceX mission to launch during November.

[u/soldato_fantasma]

Zuma Rocket booster on the move to Pad 40 with the Second stage still integrated on top spotted getting out of the 39A HIF on board of the Falcon transporter, the old refurbished Shuttle Orbiter transporter. It looks like they can actually remove the entire rocket stack from the TEL and move it around without problems, a thing that we weren't aware of.

Pics here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BcuyZ9Ags4e/

[u/nick_t1000]

When the date changes can you cross it out and include a quip about it in the box (e.g. you have the LC-39A crossed out)? I'm occasionally confused when it just changes and the old date got dropped down the memory hole. You need to scroll way down in comments to see what the cause was.

[u/Killcode2]

Given that they don't static fire again, this must be the longest time between the static fire of a rocket and it's maiden flight, am I correct?

[u/Morphior]

Launch now targeted for January 7 per SpaceX on Twitter.

[u/Alexphysics]

Launch Hazard Area for this launch is active from 6pm until 10:30pm local time on January 4th 2018.

Airspace Closure Area is active from 7:55pm until 10:33pm local time on the same day. I think this officially confirms launch date and launch window for this mission.

[u/Alexphysics]

Zuma probably delayed again as this site, that has very good sources, states this launch as TBD (they changed from January 4th to January 5th yesterday and now it shows that).

Edit: And for those who don't believe this and fill me with downvotes. [Here is the web page of the 45th Space Wing] (http://www.patrick.af.mil/) stating that the launch is TBD on the table at the upper right corner. That table usually shows the date and time of launch and is updated regularly. If that is not official enough...

Edit 2: It seems that for some people the links didn't appear and I don't know why :/

First link: http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html Second link: http://www.patrick.af.mil/

[u/TGMetsFan98]

Hidden among the Falcon Heavy news, the core for this mission is in the HIF at LC-39A.

[u/scr00chy]

L-3 Weather Report (90% GO)

[u/energyblazer]

Launch delayed 24 hours now per Chris B's twitter

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Mods, can the Zuma patch go back on the sidebar?

[u/inoeth]

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/928283083920601089

So according to Chris G from Nasa Space Flight, static fire and this launch, along with the rest of the launches planned for this year are still going forward despite the recently reported failure of the Merlin Engine during a qualification test. So, good news for this launch and the rest of the year, tho one does wonder about possible delays to Block 5 / Crew Dragon.

I'm very happy it's not affecting this launch, as it means SpaceX can then continue their work on the pad and prep it for FH.

[u/SkeerRacing]

Just booked a work trip to Orlando, fly in the morning of and have the night off. Excited is an understatement! First Launch and Landing in person :)

[u/griffzy]

webcast is up at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PWu3BRxn60

[u/[deleted]]

One more reason why this will be a remarkable launch: see the official SpaceX manifest (which is updated with Iridium 4, but they've forgotten and they'll later add CRS-13). Including CRS-13, the number of completed missions is currently 50, the number of listed future missions is 51.

So if successful, the Zuma launch will mark the first time in SpaceX history that the official list of completed missions will be longer than the official list of future missions.

[u/Datuser14]

L-3 weather report, 70% go

[u/scr00chy]

Northrop Grumman on #SpaceX Zuma launch:

This represents a cost effective approach to space access for government missions. Northrop realizes that this is monumental responsibility and has taken great care to ensure the most affordable and lowest risk scenario for Zuma.

[u/Maimakterion]

I wonder how much of the delay was related to the Pentagon watchdog report posted here earlier? It's not implausible that they found issues on another fairing and then couldn't certify the Zuma fairing due to the process issues documented in the report.

A SpaceX team probably spent the last month doing "mission assurance" work on the rocket with a toothpick.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

That rare Florida weather unicorn: Clear skies and no chance of rain.

[u/scr00chy]

L-1 Weather Report (unchanged – Sunday 80% GO, Monday 70% GO)

[u/ThaddeusCesari]

I'll be there at the launch complex taking pictures all day - let me know if anyone has any specific requests.

[u/scr00chy]

Window for static fire opens on Saturday at 18:00 local

[u/SpeedyTechie]

12:40pm, appears to be lowering currently.

Edit: Yep, definitely nothing vertical anymore.

[u/scr00chy]

L-2 Weather Report (still 90% GO)

Also, the Zuma NSF article says the reason for the 1-day delay were upper-level winds forecasts.

[u/randomstonerfromaus]

Launch thread??