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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 18 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1052284934180794368)

It's official - @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) shipped the final spacecraft of the #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash) Constellation Mission to prepare for launch! #RCM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCM?src=hash) has been on budget and schedule since contract award in 2013, "a remarkable achievement for a program this complex." - @MGreenley (https://twitter.com/MGreenley) http://ow.ly/lsK330mg6hv  (https://t.co/AhyNoWj3iF)

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ЦитироватьFor immediate release: October 16, 2018

Maxar Technologies' MDA Ships Third and Final Spacecraft in Preparation for Launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission

Richmond, BC - MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), announced that it has shipped, as planned, the third and final satellite for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) that MDA is building for the Canadian Space Agency (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/Default.asp). The constellation will launch from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX (https://www.spacex.com/) Falcon 9 rocket. RCM is the evolution of the highly successful RADARSAT Program that MDA has been an integral part of since the early 1990's. The three-satellite constellation will ensure data continuity and improve operational use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and system reliability. RCM will provide daily revisits of Canada's vast territory and maritime approaches, as well as daily access to 90% of the world's surface.

 "Finalizing these satellites is a monumental achievement for MDA and its extensive cross-Canada industrial supply chain whose Canadian employees have worked extremely hard for many years on this program," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. "The program has been on budget and schedule since award of the build phase contract in 2013, which is a remarkable achievement for a program this complex. We are looking forward to Canada creating, funding and implementing a long-term space plan that sustains and grows Canada's global leadership position in space-based radar Earth observation."

 RCM consists of three space-based radar satellites that can see through clouds and darkness to provide data on Canada's vast land mass and coastal approaches. Information from RCM is used for many different applications that are of benefit to Canadians and to the entire world population. These applications include monitoring of glaciers and other changes on the planet, which, in turn, are used to measure global climate change and help scientists to better understand humankind's impact on our environment. RCM data will also be used to monitor agricultural regions, which is then used to improve the efficiency of agricultural growing operations and ultimately the world food supply; and to monitor natural resources such as forests and other ecosystems enabling better management of those environmentally critical regions. For maritime surveillance, radar satellite systems are the preferred choice for marine and coastal areas with cloudy and foggy weather conditions, allowing for enhanced monitoring of oil spills. Being able to predict the direction oil spills will take and their drift by using a map of marine wind directions derived from radar images will be very helpful to environmental protection organizations.

 The RCM satellite constellation is expected to operate for at least seven years providing benefits beyond our imagination both for Canadians and for the entire world. The launch of the constellation is scheduled for the week of February 18, 2019 (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/blog/2018/10/16/radarsat-constellation-a-major-milestone-reached.asp), based on launch vehicle availability.

ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation: A major milestone reached

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223291.jpg)
The third and final RCM spacecraft leaving MDA's Montreal facilities on September 24, 2018. (Credit: CSA.)

After building and testing the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp) (RCM) for more than five years, MDA, the Prime Contractor for the RCM, safely delivered the third and final spacecraft to its California-based sister company SSL on September 30, 2018, in preparation for launch.

As you can imagine, transporting satellites over such long distances between two countries is no easy task. It requires lots of paperwork and intricate logistics. The process begins well before each spacecraft is packed and loaded onto the truck, which is a two-day affair. A customs officer even needs to be present when the container is being closed and sealed with anti-tampering devices.

Congratulations to the joint CSA-MDA team for achieving this important milestone! We would also like to thank the 125 suppliers across Canada and others across the globe who played a part in the RCM project.

ЦитироватьDeparture: MDA facilities, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Destination: SSL, Palo Alto, California
Distance travelled: 4905 km
Travel time: 7 days
Launch window: Week of February 18, 2019
Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/223290.jpg)
Members of the MDA-CSA team who worked on the RCM pose in front of the container that houses the third spacecraft before it left the Montreal area on September 24, 2018. (Credit: CSA)

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The third RCM spacecraft, in its shipping container, is carefully being lowered on the platform of the delivery truck. (Credit: CSA)

ЦитироватьOpportunity to witness the launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission in California
From: Canadian Space Agency (https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency.html)

Media advisory

Longueuil, Quebec, April 16, 2019 — The satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) are scheduled to launch into space at the end of May or early June 2019, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Media representatives are invited to witness the launch in person. As the launch site is on an American air force base, each guest must be cleared by U.S. Air Force security to attend the launch.

To begin the accreditation process, media representatives who are interested must send an email to the Canadian Space Agency's Media Relations Office at asc.medias-media.csa@canada.ca (mailto:asc.medias-media.csa@canada.ca) no later than April 18, 2019, at noon (ET).

What:
Witness the launch of the RCM

Date:
End of May or early June 2019 (exact launch date TBC)

Where:
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

Link:
To learn more about the RCM (http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/default.asp)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1124316488695975936)

40 days 'til lift off! (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125260.png)'s RADARSAT Constellation Mission is scheduled to launch on June 11 from Vandenberg, California. Stay tuned for more information about the mission! http://asc-csa.gc.ca/RCM  (https://t.co/KsYUzfQPMd). (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png) Photo: CSA/@MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) #RCM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCM?src=hash) #EO (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EO?src=hash) #EarthObservation (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthObservation?src=hash) #CDNSpace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDNSpace?src=hash)

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ЦитироватьThe Making of a Satellite – The RADARSAT Constellation

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Опубликовано: 27 янв. 2017 г.

2017-01-27 - Canada is currently building and testing the three identical satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). This animation presents the key components of an RCM satellite. (Credits: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), Canadian Space Agency)

ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM)

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Опубликовано: 14 июн. 2018 г.

2018-06-04 - Check out this cool timelapse of one of RCM's satellites on its way to the Thermal Vacuum Chamber at our David Florida Laboratory. This test is used to check the satellite's resistance to extreme space temperatures and vacuum. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 12 мая (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1127634679841067008)

The countdown is on!

Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission will launch in 30 days from Vandenberg, California!

To learn more about the mission: http://ow.ly/803e50u729M  (https://t.co/g36gzLX8zo).
#RCM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCM?src=hash) #EO (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EO?src=hash) #EarthObservation (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthObservation?src=hash) #CDNSpace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDNSpace?src=hash)

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ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission : Finding solutions for a better Canada

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Опубликовано: 14 мая 2019 г.

2019-05-14 - The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) uses a trio of satellites to take daily scans of our country and its waters collecting invaluable information. This important data helps captains safely navigate through Arctic waters, farmers maximize their crop yields and first responders save lives, among other solutions. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission : Finding solutions for a better Canada

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Опубликовано: 14 мая 2019 г.

2019-05-14 - Animation of the launch and deployment of the three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). The RCM will take daily scans of our country and its waters collecting invaluable information. This important data helps captains safely navigate through Arctic waters, farmers maximize their crop yields and first responders save lives, among other solutions. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA))

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1132021038504656896)

SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch with RCM (RADARSAT Constellation) out of Vandenberg is NET June 15-16, based on a NET June 12 Static Fire date that's turned up on a schedule.

As always, subject to change.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184886.jpg)Nathan Barker‏ @NASA_Nerd (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd) 28 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1132998554253967360)

The #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) Falcon 9 Block 5 Booster 1051 that previously supported Crew Dragon Demo-1 is set to launch on its second flight, this time for @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) with #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash). Launch from Vandenberg is targetted for mid June.

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Спойлер

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[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 1 июн. (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1134806937684627456)

Launch day is getting closer! (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125588.png) Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission will launch on June 11 from Vandenberg, California!
To learn more about the mission: http://ow.ly/q3Rk50uu94X  (https://t.co/ygF2L0JIjb).
#RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) #EO (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EO?src=hash) #EarthObservation (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthObservation?src=hash) #CDNSpace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDNSpace?src=hash)

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(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185289.jpg)Piotr Szmigielski‏ @Elthiryel (https://twitter.com/Elthiryel) 9 ч.9 часов назад (https://twitter.com/Elthiryel/status/1135173297677774848)

В ответ @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc)

Could you share a precise launch time?


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1135289851350257665)

The launch time is approximately 10:17 a.m. ET.

Цитировать5 ИЮН, 05:03
Канада отправит на орбиту три новых спутника

Их запуск планируется осуществить 11 июня

ОТТАВА, 5 июня. /ТАСС/. Три новых канадских спутника для исследования Земли под названием RADARSAT Constellation планируется вывести на орбиту 11 июня. Об этом во вторник сообщило Канадское космическое агентство.

"Это новое поколение спутников для наблюдения за поверхностью Земли. Их запуск состоится 11 июня 2019 года", - говорится в сообщении. Спутники на орбиту должна вывести американская ракета-носитель Falcon 9 компании SpaceX.

Аппараты проекта RADARSAT Constellation призваны заменить устаревшие аналогичные спутники системы RADARSAT-2, которые находятся на орбите с 2007 года. Стоимость нового проекта оценивается в 1,2 млрд канадских долларов ($890 млн).

Как утверждают в Канадском космическом агентстве, спутники RADARSAT Constellation призваны, в частности, следить за состоянием экосистем в Арктике, а также отслеживать передвижения кораблей в этом регионе.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 3 июн. (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1135619051596734466)

The RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites, built by MDA for @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc), were assembled in Montreal and delivered by @IntMachineTrans (https://twitter.com/IntMachineTrans) to California, awaiting launch on June 11. Watch their transcontinental journey here.
#RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash)

Video (https://vimeo.com/314603588) (7:55)

ЦитироватьSpaceX Falcon 9 and $1B satellite trio set for first California launch in months

FALCON 9 B1051 WILL BE THE FIRST BLOCK 5 BOOSTER TO FLY AGAIN AFTER A LOW-ENERGY LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO) RECOVERY. (PAULINE ACALIN)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/134867.jpg) By Eric Ralph (https://www.teslarati.com/author/eric-ralph/)
Posted on June 5, 2019

After the better part of both half a year of launch delays and launch pad inactivity, SpaceX and Falcon 9 are ready to return the company's California-based SLC-4 facilities to action with the launch of the $1 billion Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM).

Built by Maxar for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), RCM is a trio of remote-sensing spacecraft designed with large surface-scanning radars as their primary payload. Having suffered years of technical delays during Maxar's production process, RCM was initially available for launch as early as November 2018. In an unlucky turn of events, issues on the SpaceX side of things took RCM's assigned Falcon 9 booster out of commission and lead to an additional seven or so months of launch delays. At long last, RCM is just one week away from heading to orbit, scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) no earlier than 7:17 am PDT (14:17 UTC), June 11th.

THE GOLDILOCKS BOOSTER

Once the three RCM satellites were effectively complete, a series of unfortunate circumstances combined to delay the constellation's launch almost indefinitely. The first domino fell in December 2018, when Falcon 9 Block 5 booster B1050 – having successfully supported Cargo Dragon's CRS-16 launch – suffered a failure that prevented a successful landing. Incredibly, the booster did survive its accidental Atlantic Ocean landing and is now sitting in a SpaceX hangar, but B1051 is unlikely to ever fly again.

This posed a problem for Maxar and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), who seem to have contractually requested that RCM launch on either a new or very gently flight-proven Falcon 9 booster. The problem: SpaceX had none of either option available for RCM after B1050's unplanned swim and needed to balance the needs of several other important customers. Several Block 5 boosters were technically available but all had two or even three previous launches under their belts.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/135087.jpg) (https://cdn.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Falcon-9-B1046-SSO-A-horizontal-flip-121018-Pauline-Acalin-1-cropc.jpg)
Falcon 9 B1046 completed SpaceX's first triple-reuse of a booster just days after B1050's failed landing. (Pauline Acalin)

Meanwhile, SpaceX's booster production had been almost entirely focused (and would remain so months after) on building four new Falcon Heavy boosters and the first expendable Falcon 9 Block 5 booster, reserved for the US Air Force and a long-delayed customer. Since those five boosters were completed and shipped out, just one additional booster (B1056) has been finished, launching Cargo Dragon's CRS-17 mission just one month ago.

In short, had Maxar/CSA waited for a new booster, RCM's launch would likely be delayed at least another 30-60 days beyond its current target of June 11th. Instead, they downselected to Falcon 9 B1051, then in the midst of several months of prelaunch preparations for Crew Dragon's launch debut (DM-1). DM-1 went off without a hitch in early March, after which the gently-used B1051 underwent a brisk ~45 days of inspection and refurbishment before heading west to SpaceX's VAFB launch pad.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/135092.jpg) (https://cdn.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Falcon-9-B1051-N-CA-050119-Jean-Michel-Levesque-2.jpg)
Falcon 9 B1051 was spotted by Jean-Michel Levesque traveling through Northern California on May 1st. (Twitter – Jean-Michel Levesque)

BILLION DOLLAR BABIES

Спойлер

From an external perspective, forgoing a twice or thrice-flown Falcon 9 Block 5 booster after nearly a dozen successful demonstrations does not exactly appear to be a rational decision. However, whether it was motivated by conservatism, risk-aversion, or something else, Maxar and CSA likely have every contractual right to demand certain conditions, as long as they accept the consequences of those requirements. In the case of RCM, the customers accepted what they likely knew would be months of guaranteed delays to minimize something they perceived as a risk.

To some extent, it's hard to blame them. After going more than $400M over budget, the Maxar-built trio of upgraded Radarsat satellites are expected to end up costing more than $1 billion. CSA's annual budget typically stands around $250M, meaning that this single launch is equivalent to four years of space agency's entire budget. A failed launch would be a huge setback. Additionally, RCM will likely become the most valuable payload ever launched by SpaceX, beating out the Air Force's ~$600M GPS III SV01 spacecraft by a huge margin. For RCM, mission assurance is definitively second to none.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/135085.jpg)
SpaceX's Vandenberg landing zone – deemed LZ-4 – is less than 1500 feet (500 meters) away from its SLC-4E launch pad. (SpaceX)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/135084.jpg)
SpaceX christened its LZ-4 West Coast landing zone in October 2018. (Pauline Acalin)

[свернуть]

If all goes as planned, Falcon 9's RCM launch should also mark the second use of SpaceX's West Coast landing zone (LZ-4), christened during the October 2018 launch of SAOCOM 1A – coincidentally, also a radar-carrying Earth observation satellite. This means that press photographers (including Teslarati's Pauline Acalin and Tom Cross) will have their second chance ever to capture remote images of a SpaceX booster landing.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 34 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1136380494134874113)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125604.png)Please note that the launch of Canada's new Earth observation satellites, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, is now targeted for Wednesday, June 12th at 10:17 a.m. (ET).
#RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1136633936443052035)

Canada's newest #RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) are ready to launch on June 12. They were recently installed on their dispenser and ins erted in to the rocket fairing at @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) facilities in Vandenberg Air Force Base. More about RCM: http://asc-csa.gc.ca/RCM  (https://t.co/KsYUzfQPMd). (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125535.png)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125426.png): @MDA_Maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1136774374391001090)

Less than a week before launch... The excitement literally goes up!
#RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) #EO (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EO?src=hash) #EarthObservation (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthObservation?src=hash) #CDNSpace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDNSpace?src=hash) @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 11 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1136986356238901248)

The Static Fire test of Falcon 9 (B1051.2) - ahead of the June 12 launch of RADARSAT - is set to take place this weekend at SLC-4E, Vandenberg. The test is on the Western Range for "June 8-9", so NET Saturday.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1137355083845447680)

Falcon 9 (B1051.2) is vertical on SLC-4E at Vandenberg for the Static Fire test.

Rocket Spotting:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1314706112011193&set=pcb.10157599547806318&type=3&theater&ifg=1 ... (https://t.co/0zXsM5gYeJ)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 36 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1137383580529618946)

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting June 12 launch of RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 40 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1137384118784684032)

The booster supporting this mission launched Crew Dragon to the @space_station (https://twitter.com/Space_Station) in March

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161937.jpg)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161938.jpg)


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 33 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1137386108826935296)

Falcon 9 (B1051.2) passes the Static Fire test. This is the booster than flew Ripley and Little Earth to the ISS during DM-1.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184934.jpg)Geoff Barrett  ‏ @GeoffdBarrett (https://twitter.com/GeoffdBarrett) 40 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/GeoffdBarrett/status/1137384860933378050)

...

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1137398636541874178)

After years of hard work and dedication, Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission is ready for launch. Today's static fire test by @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) confirms the launch is a 'go' for Wednesday, June 12 at 7:17am PT. Great job team!
#RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) #CdnSpace (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CdnSpace?src=hash)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161928.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185763.jpg)Jean-Michel Levesque‏ @jm_levesque (https://twitter.com/jm_levesque) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/jm_levesque/status/1137433599211257858)

Static Fire Test of #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) #rocket (https://twitter.com/hashtag/rocket?src=hash) which will launch the #RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) in the coming days.
@MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) @asc_csa (https://twitter.com/asc_csa) @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX)

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ЦитироватьFALCON 9 LAUNCH CONFIRMED, SONIC BOOM POSSIBLE
30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published June 08, 2019

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Team Vandenberg is scheduled to support the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex-4 on Wednesday, Jun. 12, with the launch window opening at 7:17 a.m. Pacific Time.

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander, will be the space launch commander.

"Team V continues its dedication to assured access to space for the nation," said Reeves. "Partnership is vital to mission success, and we are proud to share the load of this mission with SpaceX."

SpaceX is attempting the secondary mission of landing the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at Landing Zone 4, which was previously called SLC-4W.

Local residents may see the first stage of the Falcon 9 returning to Vandenberg AFB, including multiple engine burns associated with the landing. During the landing attempt, residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear one or more sonic booms. A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder. The sonic boom experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.
...

ЦитироватьKZLA
 
06/042 (A1401/19) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1910 AREA A STNR ALT RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS
3439N12042W TO 3439N12031W TO 3238N12053W TO 3240N12105W TO POINT OF ORIGIN
SFC-UNL.
12 JUN 14:01 2019 UNTIL 12 JUN 15:11 2019.
CREATED: 09 JUN 10:22 2019
 
06/043 (A1402/19) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1910 AREA B STNR ALT RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS
3247N12153W TO 3231N12004W TO 3101N12020W TO 3045N12051W TO 3037N12045W TO 3016N12111W TO 3026N12218W TO POINT OF ORIGIN
SFC-UNL.
12 JUN 14:16 2019 UNTIL 12 JUN 15:11 2019.
CREATED: 09 JUN 10:23 2019


KZAK
 
06/044 (A2348/19) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1910 AREA B STNR ALT RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS
3247N12153W TO 3231N12004W TO 3101N12020W TO 3045N12051W TO 3037N12045W TO 3016N12111W TO 3026N12218W TO POINT OF ORIGIN.
SFC-UNL.
12 JUN 14:16 2019 UNTIL 12 JUN 15:11 2019.
CREATED: 09 JUN 10:23 2019

ЦитироватьKZAK
  
06/045 (A2349/19) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1910 AREA C STNR ALT RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS
2740N14633W TO 2744N14522W TO 2645N14420W TO 2200N14406W TO 1419N14520W TO 0554N14742W TO 0224N15006W TO 0247N15129W TO 0613N15212W TO 1100N15154W TO
1545N15112W TO 2249N14924W TO POINT OF ORIGIN
SFC-UNL.
12 JUN 15:54 2019 UNTIL 12 JUN 16:30 2019.
CREATED: 09 JUN 10:25 2019

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/30273.jpg)Raul‏ @Raul74Cz (https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1138046141596164096)

Launch Hazard Areas for #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash) Constellation Mission according NOTAM messages. LZ-4 landing for B1051.2. Fairing recovery is not expected. Stage2 Reentry Debris Area east of Hawaii after the first orbit in window between 15:54-16:30 UTC. https://goo.gl/HXcS8Q  (https://t.co/GDVgqX2Y0Y)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185095.png)Maxar Technologies‏ @Maxar (https://twitter.com/Maxar) 9 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/Maxar/status/1138111156873306113)

We're excited for the upcoming launch of the #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash) Constellation Mission on June 12th! Here is the launch area from June 8th, same day as @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) completed its successful #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) static fire test. @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) #RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash)

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ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission: Agricultural Science from Space

AgricultureCanadaEng (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtEx-qIuG65qsUy8CiHidgA)

Опубликовано: 10 июн. 2019 г.

Цитироватьна сайте SpaceX

spacex.com/webcast (http://www.spacex.com/webcast)

или

на ТыТрубе

youtube.com/watch?v=8A2nJd9Urk8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A2nJd9Urk8)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 15 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1138469378553536512)

Up and down again for the booster. This time just next door of SLC-4E to the former SLC-4W (now called LZ-4)

@Maxar (https://twitter.com/Maxar) image. I added the very helpful red line. (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125472.png)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 49 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138474014152712192)

Falcon 9 and RADARSAT Constellation Mission have rolled out to SLC-4E. Tomorrow's 13-minute launch window opens at 7:17 a.m. PDT, 14:17 UTC → http://spacex.com/webcast  (https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 8 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138588935087460353)

Falcon 9 and RADARSAT Constellation Mission are vertical on SpaceX's California launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base. After stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9's first stage at Landing Zone 4 → http://spacex.com/webcast  (https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161823.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 9 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1138573379806617601)

#RADARSAT2 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT2?src=hash) captured the site of tomorrow's launch of the #RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash). The @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) Launch Complex 4 at @30thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing) #Vandenberg (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vandenberg?src=hash) AFB can be seen in the middle of the image, which was acquired using Ultra Fine mode with 3m resolution. The image was taken at 01:59 UTC June 11.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161821.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185095.png)Maxar Technologies‏ @Maxar (https://twitter.com/Maxar) 8 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Maxar/status/1138579825332035584)

Today's look at Vandenberg AFB and Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4) with the #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) rocket, collected at 12:03 PM local time. Watch tomorrow's launch of the #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash) Constellation Mission, details here: https://www.spacex.com/webcast  (https://t.co/Z0k6rsoKit)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184964.jpg)Jack Beyer‏ @thejackbeyer (https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1138641424084156418)

Tomorrow morning @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) will attempt it's second west coast Return to Launch Site booster landing. It's pretty special to have the landing zone just a few hundred feet from the launch pad. Can't wait to see if my remote cameras catch launch *and* landing. (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125548.png)@NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185097.jpg)Pauline Acalin‏ @w00ki33 (https://twitter.com/w00ki33) 5 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1138639145000038400)

It's golden hour and things are looking ready for tomorrow's RADARSAT mission here at Vandenberg AFB. Launch window opens at 7:17am PT. #spacex (https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacex?src=hash) #radarsat (https://twitter.com/hashtag/radarsat?src=hash) #falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/falcon9?src=hash)

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(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161827.jpg)(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161826.jpg)


4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1138658325329924097)

Falcon 9 as seen from both remote camera sites at Vandenberg AFB this evening. Launch window for RADARSAT mission opens tomorrow morning at 7:17am PT. #spacex (https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacex?src=hash) #falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/falcon9?src=hash) #radarsat (https://twitter.com/hashtag/radarsat?src=hash)

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3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1138674927123324928)

Two of my four remote cameras set to capture some stills of tomorrow's RADARSAT launch. The one on the right is aimed at the landing pad. (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125473.png) #spacex (https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacex?src=hash) #falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/falcon9?src=hash) #radarsat (https://twitter.com/hashtag/radarsat?src=hash)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161833.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185085.jpg)TomCross‏ @_TomCross_ (https://twitter.com/_TomCross_) 5 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1138637067057938432)

Look at SpaceX Falcon 9 with RADARSAT and the tiny truck on the lower left. Launch at 7:17am PST.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161825.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/35828.jpg)Jay L. DeShetler‏ @jdeshetler (https://twitter.com/jdeshetler) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1138677307311239168)

Tomorrow between 7:17 and 7:30 am (PST), the SpaceX Falcon 9 - RADARSAT will launch and land back on the landing pad 1400' away 7 minutes later. The black scar on the landing pad is from SOACOM A booster which landed successfully at nighttime last year.

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2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1138681427682254848)

Finger crossing after two remote cameras and high fidelity audio recorder was setup to capture the landing of SpaceX RadarSat booster tomorrow am. @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)

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ЦитироватьThree Canadian radar satellites ready for launch fr om California
June 11, 2019 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/06/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145585.jpg)
Technicians prepare the Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites for encapsulation inside the nose fairing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: MDA/SpaceX

SpaceX teams working at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California were finalizing preparations Tuesday ahead of the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday carrying a trio of Canadian-built radar observation satellites into orbit.

A few minutes after liftoff Wednesday morning, the Falcon 9's first stage will return to a landing zone back at Vandenberg for SpaceX's second onshore rocket landing in California.

The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) Falcon 9 rocket is set for launch at 10:17 a.m. EDT (7:17 a.m. PDT; 1417 GMT) Wednesday from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg, a military base around 140 miles (225 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.

There is a 13-minute launch window for launch Wednesday, or else the Falcon 9 rocket will have to wait to fly another day.

Three 3,152-pound (1,430-kilogram) spacecraft are packaged on top of the Falcon 9 rocket to continue a series of Canadian radar observation satellites launched since 1995.

The Radarsat Constellation Mission, or RCM, consists of three identical satellites built by MDA, a Canadian division of Maxar. The Canadian Space Agency leads the project to provide radar imagery to the Canadian government in pursuit of national security, scientific research and environmental monitoring.

"We still have a bunch of check milestones to go, but so far, so good," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA, in a phone interview Tuesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Radarsat Constellation Mission follows Canada's previous radar observation satellites, Radarsat 1 and 2, launched in 1995 and 2007.

"It's extremely important for Canada," Greenley said of RCM.

The RCM project is costing the Canadian government roughly $900 million (1.2 billion Canadian dollars), including the development of the satellites, the launch, and seven years of planned operations, according to Steve Iris, the RSM mission manager at the Canadian Space Agency.

That makes RCM one of the most costly Canadian-led space missions in history, and one of the most expensive payloads ever launched by SpaceX.

Each RCM satellite carries a C-band radar instrument, with a deployable antenna array, transmitters and receivers.

Unlike optical cameras, radars can see through clouds and make observations day and night. The radar instruments emit signals and measure the waves reflected off Earth's surface, yielding information about structures, ships, forests, ice, and crops.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145586.jpg)
Artist's concept of the Radarsat Constellation Mission. Credit: MDA

"Earth observation is critical, and radar-based Earth observation gives Canada excellent capabiltiy to deal with the sovereignty and security of Canadians," Greenley said.

A dozen Canadian government agencies, including the military, use Radarsat data. That broad use is expected continue with RCM.

"In addition to our resource-based economy requiring monitoring of our forests, mining, energy, and agricultural industries, our northern latitudes that are sensitive to climate change gain from space-based radar systems that can observe the Earth day and night in any weather conditions," said Magdalena Wierus, a project management engineer on the Radarsat Constellation Mission at the Canadian Space Agency.

Most of Canada's long coastline is located in remote regions of the Arctic, away from terrestrial observation posts.

"We have a large part of the northern part of Canada that has a low-density population, and there's not a lot of infrastructure there to do monitoring, and that's wh ere there is the most impact from climate change, especially on the permafrost," Iris said in a pre-launch press conference. "So with the constellation mission, we'll be able to monitor that region every day, and monitor subtle changes like ground deformation due to permafrost melting. We'll be able to do that four times a day, which is a big advantage compared to what we do now."

When observing in spotlight mode, each of the three RCM satellites has a best resolution of 1 meter (3.3 feet) in azimuth, and 3 meters (9.8 feet) in range. That is comparable to Radarsat 2's imaging power.

But with three satellites, RCM can cover more territory.

"It's a three-satellite mission, each orbiting the Earth, evenly spaced, every 96 minutes at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles)," Wierus said. "One of the main improvements of the constellation is that together they're able to ensure an exact revisit of a point on the Earth every four days, compared to Radarsat 2, which had an exact revisit of every 24 days.

"Now, why is this important? It's because we can use these images to measure changes in ground movement, for example, which can help us understand what's happening on the Earth better," she said. "The RCM has the capacity to image any given location on 90 percent of the Earth's surface daily, but will be primarily imaging Canadian territory."

Along with maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring, the RCM satellites will track the movement of icebergs and the retreat and growth of glaciers and ice sheets. The observation satellites will also monitor natural disasters, such as floods, and detect water pollution.

"The main request of government users was to have daily coverage of the Canadian land mass and maritime approaches, including images of the Arctic four times a day," Wierus said. "RCM is able to cover all of the regions of Canada within a 24-hour period, which was not possible with Radarsat 2."

Wierus said the Canadian Space Agency is examining ways to distribute data collected by the Radarsat Constellation Mission outside the Canadian government, allowing international scientists, corporations and the public to access RCM's imagery.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145588.jpg)
The three Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites during encapsulation inside the payload fairing of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: MDA/SpaceX

Besides the radar imaging sensor, each RCM spacecraft hosts a radio receiver to collect identification messages transmitted by maritime vessels.

"Overlaid on top of the radar images this can help pinpoint ships that may be in trouble, or rogue ships that do not want to be found," Wierus said.

According to Greenley, MDA is supporting the Canadian government in the development of an open data access policy for RCM. Radarsat 2, which is still operational, is a commercial satellite that was partially funded by the Canadian government, with additional private sector investment from MDA, now part of Maxar.

MDA owns Radarsat 2, while the Canadian government owns the RCM satellites.

The Canadian government says it expects to use approximately 250,000 RCM images per year, more than the government's demand for imagery from previous Radarsat missions.

Wednesday's launch will be SpaceX's seventh mission of the year, and the company's second from Vandenberg in 2019.

After liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket will head south over the Pacific Ocean powered by 1.7 million pounds of thrust from the the first stage's nine Merlin 1D main engines, guzzling a mixture of super-chilled kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

The launcher set to loft the Radarsat Constellation Mission on Wednesday will use a first stage booster that previously flew March 2 on a mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to send SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft on an unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station.

At T+plus 2 minutes, 13 seconds, the first stage's main engines will shut down, followed by separation of the booster around four seconds later. The Falcon 9's second stage, powered by a single Merlin engine, will ignite at T+plus 2 minutes, 24 seconds, to accelerate the RCM satellites into orbit.

The protective composite shroud covering the RCM satellites during launch will jettison at T+plus 2 minutes, 49 seconds, once the rocket has soared above the dense lower layers of the atmosphere.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145577.jpg)
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launcher set to loft the Radarsat Constellation Mission uses a first stage booster that previously flew March 2 on a mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to send SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft on an unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station. Credit: SpaceX

Meanwhile, the first stage will begin maneuvers to return to Vandenberg, beginning with a boost-back burn using three of the first stage's Merlin engines to cancel out the rocket's downrange velocity and reverse course back toward the launch site.

After the boost-back burn, the booster will reignite some of its engines for an entry burn, followed by ignition of the first stage's center engine for a final braking maneuver as it descends toward a landing pad around a quarter-mile (400 meters) from the Falcon 9's point of departure at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

After unfurling a four-piece landing gear, touchdown of the Falcon 9's booster stage is expected around eight minutes after liftoff at Landing Zone 4, a circular concrete pad formerly known as Space Launch Complex 4-West, which was once a companion pad to the SLC-4E site first used by Titan rockets, and now by SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicle.

The rocket landing planned Wednesday will be the second onshore landing by a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster at Vandenberg, following the return of a first stage there last October after the launch of an Argentine Earth observation satellite.

SpaceX has logged thirteen additional Falcon 9 rocket landings at Cape Canaveral after launches from the East Coast, along with 26 successful returns to the company's ocean-going drone ships.

The company warned that residents near Vandenberg may hear a sonic boom during the rocket landing Wednesday.

"There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties may hear a sonic boom during the landing attempt," SpaceX said in a statement. "Residents of Santa Barbara County are most likely to hear the sonic boom, although what residents experience will depend on weather conditions and other factors."

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145615.jpg)
This satellite view shows Landing Zone 4 (lower left) and Space Launch Complex 4-East (lower right) at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Credit: Maxar

The Falcon 9's second stage will continue its mission with the RCM satellites, first placing the payloads into a preliminary parking orbit around eight-and-a-half minutes into the flight. After coasting over Antarctica, the upper stage will reignite for a short four-second firing around 50 minutes after liftoff to inject the RCM satellites into a nearly 373-mile-high (600-kilometer) orbit with an inclination of 97.7 degrees to the equator.

The satellites are mounted on a specially-designed dispenser manufactured by Ruag Space, a Swiss-headquartered company, with a tilt mechanism to ensure the RCM spacecraft have ample room to separate from the rocket in orbit.

The satellite separations are staggered about four minutes apart, with the last of the three scheduled for deployment 62 minutes into the mission.

Canadian ground controllers anticipate receiving the first radio signals from the satellites within two hours after launch to confirm the spacecraft are all alive and healthy.

The satellites will extend their flat panel radar antennas, each with an area of about 100 square feet (9.5 square meters), within the first couple of days of the mission, according to MDA. The radars will be powered on for the first time 10 or 11 days after launch, MDA officials said, to begin functional checks and take the first test images.

The full commissioning and calibration campaign will take three to six months, then the Canadian Space Agency will declare the RCM satellites operational and ready for regular observations, officials said.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьPosted on June 12, 2019

Current forecasts suggest that the traditional fog layer will begin to clear at 7am local time, around the same time that SpaceX's RCM webcast (https://www.spacex.com/webcast) will kick off. 

Цитировать06/12/2019 15:13 Stephen Clark

T-minus 2 hours, 4 minutes. After power-up and initial checkouts of the Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 4-East, SpaceX's launch conductor will electronically poll the launch team at T-minus 38 minutes -- 6:39 a.m. PDT (9:39 a.m. EDT; 1339 GMT) -- for a "go" to proceed into the automated countdown sequence.

Assuming all systems are go, refined, super-chilled RP-1 kerosene will begin flowing into both stages of the Falcon 9 rocket three minutes later at T-minus 35 minutes -- 6:42 a.m. PDT (9:42 a.m. EDT; 1342 GMT).

Cryogenic liquid oxygen will begin pumping into the Falcon 9's first stage at that time. Liquid oxygen loading into the second stage will commence at T-minus 16 minutes.

At around the same time, the Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites will be switched to internal battery power and configured for liftoff.

Chill down of the first stage's nine Merlin 1D engines will begin at T-minus 7 minutes, followed by the alignment of the Falcon 9's guidance system and retraction of the launch pad's strongback structure a few degrees from the vehicle in preparation for engine ignition.

In the final couple of minutes of the countdown, the Falcon 9 will switch to internal power and its propellant tanks will be pressurized, prior to the command to ignite its nine main engines at T-minus 3 seconds.

Цитировать06/12/2019 15:25 Stephen Clark

Forecasters are predicting favorable surface weather for this morning's launch, with some patchy fog, visibility of 3 to 4 miles, winds of 5 to 10 knots, and a temperature of 52 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

ЦитироватьTimeline of the Falcon 9 rocket's launch of the Radarsat Constellation Mission
June 12, 2019 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/06/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

Follow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket's ascent to orbit with three Earth observation satellites for Canada's Radarsat Constellation Mission.

The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) rocket will lift off Wednesday at 7:17 a.m. PDT (10:17 a.m. EDT; 1417 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Falcon 9's first stage booster, which previously completed a launch and landing in March, will return for a propulsive touchdown at Vandenberg around eight minutes later.

Data source: SpaceX

Спойлер

T-0:00:00: Liftoff

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143760.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143760.png)
After the rocket's nine Merlin 1D engines pass an automated health check, the Falcon 9 is released from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

T+0:01:03: Max-Q

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143763.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143763.png)
The Falcon 9 rocket reaches Max Q, the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure. The first stage's nine Merlin 1D engines produce about 1.7 million pounds of thrust.

T+0:02:13: MECO

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31294.jpg) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31294.jpg)
The Falcon 9's nine Merlin 1D engines shut down.

T+0:02:17: Stage 1 Separation

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31295.jpg) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31295.jpg)
The Falcon 9's first stage separates from the second stage moments after MECO.

T+0:02:24: Stage 2 Ignition

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143761.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143761.png)
The second stage Merlin 1D vacuum engine ignites for an approximately 6-minute burn to inject the Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites into a parking orbit.

T+0:02:48: Fairing Jettison

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143758.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143758.png)
The 5.2-meter (17.1-foot) diameter payload fairing jettisons once the Falcon 9 rocket ascends through the dense lower atmosphere. The 43-foot-tall fairing is made of two clamshell-like halves composed of carbon fiber with an aluminum honeycomb core. The fairing halves will deploy parafoils for a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean.

T+0:03:18: Stage 1 Boost-back Burn Complete

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/144003.jpg)
A subset of the Falcon 9's engines ignited to help the rocket reverse course and target a landing on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

T+0:06:04: Stage 1 Entry Burn

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31298.png)
A subset of the first stage's Merlin 1D engines ignite for an entry burn to slow down for landing. A final landing burn will occur just before touchdown.

T+0:07:53: Stage 1 Landing
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31300.jpg) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31300.jpg)
The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage booster touches down on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

T+0:08:28: SECO 1

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143762.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143762.png)
The Merlin 1D vacuum engine turns off after placing the Radarsat satellites in a temporary parking orbit, beginning at 42-minute coast in space.

T+0:50:08: Stage 2 Restart

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143759.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143759.png)
The Falcon 9's second stage engine ignites again for a 4-second burn to circularize its orbit.

T+0:50:12: SECO 2

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143765.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143765.png)
The Merlin 1D vacuum engine shuts down after reaching a target orbit about 373 miles (600 kilometers) high with an inclination of 97.7 degrees.

T+0:54:43: RCM 1 Separation

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145611.jpg)
The first of the 3,152-pound (1,430-kilogram) Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites separates from a specially-designed dispenser on the Falcon 9's upper stage produced by Ruag Space.

T+0:58:24: RCM 2 Separation

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145612.jpg)
The second of the Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites deploys from the Falcon 9 rocket.

T+1:02:13: RCM 3 Separation

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/145613.jpg)
The last of the three Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites deploys from the Falcon 9 rocket.

[свернуть]

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:26 Stephen Clark

The area around the Falcon 9 rocket's launch pad and flight path are confirmed clear at this time.

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:31 Stephen Clark

T-minus 46 minutes. Some statistics on today's launch:

[/li]
• 72nd launch of a Falcon 9 rocket since 2010
• 79th launch of Falcon rocket family since 2006
• 15th Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base
• 2nd launch of Falcon 9 booster No. 52
• 5th launch of an all-Block 5 version of the Falcon 9 from Vandenberg
• 2nd launch for the Canadian Space Agency by SpaceX
• 2nd launch of MDA payloads by SpaceX
• 6th Falcon 9 launch of 2019
• 7th launch by SpaceX in 2019
• 3rd orbital launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2019
  

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185097.jpg)Pauline Acalin‏ @w00ki33 (https://twitter.com/w00ki33) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1138800472460947456)

View of the launch pad from press site at Vandenberg. (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125461.png)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161846.jpg)

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:35 Stephen Clark

It's a foggy morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and photographers gathered at a viewing site a few miles from the launch and landing pads report they cannot currently see the rocket.

Low visibility is not a weather constraint for a launch at Vandenberg, so the countdown is counting to tick toward liftoff at 7:17 a.m. PDT (10:17 a.m. EDT; 1417 GMT).

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:37 Stephen Clark

The Air Force's Western Range has confirmed it is currently "go" for today's Falcon 9 launch and landing.

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:41 Stephen Clark

All stations on the SpaceX team have confirmed they are "go" to proceed with filling of the Falcon 9 with kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:42 Fueling begins Stephen Clark

"Launch auto sequence has started." The countdown is starting the first steps to begin pumping propellants into the 229-foot-tall Falcon 9 at Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4-East.

RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen will be pumped into the Falcon 9 rocket. The liquid oxygen is chilled to near minus 340 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 206 degrees Celsius).

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185097.jpg)Pauline Acalin‏ @w00ki33 (https://twitter.com/w00ki33) 4 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1138803518721052672)

The Air Force's camera setup for this launch is intense. A couple of these can see right through @Marine_layer (https://twitter.com/Marine_layer). (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125458.png)#SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) #radarsat (https://twitter.com/hashtag/radarsat?src=hash)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161848.jpg)

Цитировать06/12/2019 16:57 Stephen Clark

The Falcon 9's second stage is now filled with RP-1 kerosene fuel. As propellants continue flowing into the first stage, liquid oxygen will begin loading into the second stage in a few minutes.

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:09 Stephen Clark

SpaceX's live webcast of today's launch is underway. It's a foggy morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base with all camera views of the Falcon 9 rocket currently obstructed by low visiblity. But weather conditions are "go" for liftoff with the Radarsat Constellation Mission at 7:17 a.m. PDT (10:17 a.m. EDT; 1417 GMT).
(https://24liveblog.tradingfront.cn/event/2277423790623378659/20190612140917_193368.jpg) (https://photo.24liveblog.com/2277423790623378659/20190612140917_193368.jpg)

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:09 Stephen Clark

SpaceX will not attempt a recovery of the Falcon 9's payload fairing today because the company's recovery vessels are currently stationed in Florida.

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:11 Stephen Clark

T-minus 6 minutes. Both stages are now filled with RP-1 kerosene fuel. Final liquid oxygen loading will complete in the next few minutes.

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:12 Stephen Clark

The Falcon 9's guidance and navigation system is now being configured for flight.

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:13 Stephen Clark

The strongback umbilical tower is being lowered to angle of 13 degrees from the Falcon 9 to clear the rocket for launch. The procedure begins with opening of cradles gripping the rocket at attach points, then hydraulics lower the tower into position for liftoff.

Цитировать06/12/2019 17:14 Stephen Clark

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. Retraction of the strongback is confirmed complete. First stage liquid oxygen loading is concluding at this time.

ЦитироватьSpaceX RCM mission: Falcon 9 launch and landing

SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)

Опубликовано: 12 июн. 2019 г.

ЦитироватьLaunch & Landing of SpaceX Falcon 9 with RADARSAT, First VAFB Landing

Space Videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdF5d0UwSJJunRcRVzP1uDg)

Опубликовано: 12 июн. 2019 г.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138812702283800582)

Liftoff!

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161841.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 14 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138826646528512001)

Successful deployment of RCM-1 confirmed

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161843.jpg)


10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138827474391797760)

Successful deployment of RCM-2 confirmed

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161844.jpg)


7 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138828314708070400)

Final deployment of RADARSAT Constellation Mission confirmed!

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67521.jpg)Stephen Clark‏ @StephenClark1 (https://twitter.com/StephenClark1) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1138830180502429696)

And a parting view of RCM-3, thanks to the video-capable Dubai ground station.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161847.jpg)

ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission Launch

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Трансляция началась 95 минут назад

2019-06-12 - The three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) will be launched from at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California. The satellites will scan our country and its waters daily to help manage our environment and waters. This important data will: help ships navigate safely through Arctic waters, monitor our ecosystems and assist first responders when disasters strike.

Credits: Canadian Space Agency, SpaceX

Цитироватьtnt22 пишет:

ЦитироватьSpaceX ‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138812702283800582)

 Liftoff!

 

ЦитироватьРакета-носитель Falcon 9 стартовала с космодрома в Калифорнии
17:21

ВАШИНГТОН, 12 июн – РИА Новости. Ракета-носитель Falcon 9 стартовала с космодрома Ванденберг в Калифорнии с тремя канадскими спутниками RADARSAT Constellation, трансляцию запуска ведет компания SpaceX.

Старт ракеты был дан в расчетные 17.17 мск в среду. Ракета-носитель выводит на орбиту серию из трех спутников зондирования Земли, каждый аппарат весит около 1,4 тонн и должны быть последовательно выведен на орбиту через 54 минуты после старта.

В создании спутников участвовали более 125 канадских компаний. Созвездие RADARSAT Constellation придет на смену системам RADARSAT-1, действовавшей с 1995 по 2013 год, и RADARSAT-2, работающей с 2007 года. RADARSAT Constellation предназначена для наблюдения за погодными условиями, при ликвидации стихийных бедствий и наблюдением за морской навигацией. Заказчиком запуска выступает Канадское космическое агентство.

Первая ступень ракеты-носителя совершает свой второй полет, ранее в марте она участвовала в тестовом запуске новейшего корабля Crew Dragon.

ЦитироватьRADARSAT Constellation Mission

SpaceX (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI0Hodo5o5dUb67FeUjDeA)

Трансляция началась 105 минут назад

Цитировать06/12/2019 18:23 Stephen Clark

The Radarsat satellites are expected to contact ground stations within the next hour to allow officials to confirm the health of each spacecraft after today's launch. Also coming up: Deployment of the satellites' solar arrays, followed by the unfurling of each craft's radar antenna array in the next couple of days.

ЦитироватьСтарый пишет:
Хренасе, "лифтофф". Воздушный старт, чтоль?  ;)

Цитировать12 ИЮН, 19:10
Канадские спутники RADARSAT Constellation успешно вывели на орбиту

Аппараты призваны, в частности, следить за состоянием экосистем в Арктике, а также отслеживать передвижения кораблей в этом регионе

НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 12 июня. /ТАСС/. Канадские спутники RADARSAT Constellation успешно выведены на околоземную орбиту. Об этом сообщила в среду в своем Twitter американская компания SpaceX.

Ранее сообщалось о том, что ракета-носитель Falcon-9 компании SpaceX с тремя канадскими спутниками для исследования Земли стартовала в среду с базы ВВС США Ванденберг (штат Калифорния). Запуск был осуществлен в 07:17 по времени Западного побережья США (17:17 мск). Первая ступень Falcon-9 успешно вернулась на Землю и приземлилась на посадочную площадку на базе Ванденберг.

Аппараты проекта RADARSAT Constellation призваны заменить устаревшие аналогичные спутники системы RADARSAT-2, которые находятся на орбите с 2007 года. Стоимость нового проекта оценивается в 1,2 млрд канадских долларов ($890 млн). Как утверждают в Канадском космическом агентстве, спутники RADARSAT Constellation призваны, в частности, следить за состоянием экосистем в Арктике, а также отслеживать передвижения кораблей в этом регионе.

ЦитироватьDeployment of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Трансляция началась 84 минуты назад

2019-06-12 - The three satellites of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) will be deployed in space following the launch from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California. The satellites will scan our country and its waters daily to help manage our environment and waters. This important data will: help ships navigate safely through Arctic waters, monitor our ecosystems and assist first responders when disasters strike.

Credits: Canadian Space Agency, SpaceX

ЦитироватьSpaceX RCM mission: RADARSAT satellites deployment

SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)

Опубликовано: 12 июн. 2019 г.

ЦитироватьJUNE 12, 2019

RADARSAT CONSTELLATION MISSION

On Wednesday, June 12, SpaceX successfully launched the RADARSAT Constellation Mission for MDA, a Maxar company, from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Falcon 9 lifted off at 7:17 a.m. PDT, or 14:17 UTC with the first of three RADARSAT satellites deployeding approximately 54 minutes after launch.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9's first stage returned to land on SpaceX's Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The first stage for the RADARSAT Constellation mission previously supported Crew Dragon's first demonstration mission in March 2019.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg)Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1138848228965830657)

Canadian officials confirm ground teams have received signals from all three Radarsat satellites launched today. All three spacecraft are healthy after a successful launch from California aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185542.jpg)Natural Resources‏Подлинная учетная запись @NRCan (https://twitter.com/NRCan) 23 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NRCan/status/1138844995736211456)

NRCan's Prince Albert Satellite Station has just established first Canadian contact with the newly launched #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash) constellation!
#RCMSatellite (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellite?src=hash) @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161840.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184826.jpg)MDA‏ @MDA_maxar (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/MDA_maxar/status/1138856424572968960)

The three RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites began sending and receiving signals from space. The satellites will now go through a series of in-orbit maneuvers and tests before entering service later this year. Stay tuned!

ЦитироватьCanada's next-generation RADARSAT satellite constellation successfully launches to space
From: Canadian Space Agency (https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency.html)

News release

The trio of satellites will provide critical data on Canada from space for Canadian researchers and government

June 12, 2019 – Longueuil, Quebec

Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) was launched successfully into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 10:17 a.m. Eastern time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

The constellation of three satellites will provide daily images of Canada's vast territory and maritime approaches, as well as images of the Arctic, up to four times a day. It will have daily access to 90 per cent of the world's surface. The RCM is also equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS), allowing improved detection and tracking of ships, including those conducting illegal fishing.

For more than two decades, Canada's world-leading RADARSAT satellites have been providing scientists, government and industry with crucial and continuous data for a wide variety of uses. The RCM will provide a transformational new capability that will be used by researchers to develop solutions to help better understand our planet and by governments to deliver enhanced and reliable services to Canadians.

Спойлер

RCM data will be used in innovative applications that benefit Canadians, including:

[/li]
• Monitoring climate change, land use evolution and even human impacts on the environment by highlighting changes over time through composite images.
• Detecting and tracking ships, including those conducting illegal fishing, and helping emergency teams (http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/disaster-management.asp) save lives during natural disasters.
• Creating ice maps for safer ship navigation (http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/safe-passage-through-ice.asp) and commercial maritime transportation.
• Monitoring the integrity of infrastructure like highways, bridges and railway corridors.
• Measuring changes in permafrost and ground movement to support northern communities, build houses and infrastructure safely, and plan airport runways and their operation and maintenance.
• Maximizing crop yields for farmers (http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/managing-crops-sustainably.asp) while reducing energy consumption and the use of potential pollutants.
• Supporting the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces to further global peace and security.
  

Quotes

Цитировать"We need high-quality data to make evidence-based decisions. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission will provide improved data for the critical services our government provides to Canadians, including monitoring climate change, protecting the health of our oceans, forests and crops; and supporting our first responders' disaster relief efforts."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

Quick facts

[/li][li]Businesses, researchers and the public will have access to data and imagery from the RCM, subject to security requirements, to produce value-added products and services. For example, the imagery can be used to monitor changes to Earth's surface and their impacts on economic activity such as agriculture and infrastructure development.

[/li][li]Twelve federal government departments use RADARSAT data. The RCM required the direct collaboration, among others, of Natural Resources Canada, the Department of National Defence, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Public Safety Canada.

[/li][li]Over 125 Canadian suppliers in 7 provinces helped build the RCM. The three spacecraft were assembled in the Montreal area by the prime contractor MDA, a Maxar company.

[/li][li]The RCM will orbit Earth at an altitude of 600 km. Each of the satellites has a life expectancy of 7 years.

[/li][li]The Government of Canada owns and will operate the RCM. At its peak, the construction of the satellites employed approximately 300 people in some 50 companies across the country.
[/li][/LIST]Contacts

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 450-926-4370
Website: asc-csa.gc.ca (http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng)
Email: ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca (mailto:ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca)   
Follow us on social media (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/socialmedia.asp)

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьRAW VIDEO: SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket | ABC7

ABC7 (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxBA3Cbu3pm8w8gEIoMEog)

Опубликовано: 12 июн. 2019 г.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29897.png)Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1138828240712286210)

S/C for all three RADARSAT spacecraft following a successful launch on Falcon 9 B1051.2 - which landed at LZ-4.

ARTICLE:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/06/spacex-falcon-9-set-to-loft-three-canadian-radar-satellites/ ... (https://t.co/Wrj0PCN3GS)

- by William Graham (@w_d_graham (https://twitter.com/w_d_graham))

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161845.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29920.jpg)D. Stamos/Helodriver‏ @SpacecoastPix (https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix/status/1138868163586641920)

Well, got chased from the coast by @Marine_layer (https://twitter.com/Marine_layer) to the hills, and then got fog chased again from there to some random pasture 15 miles inland, but at least I got to see the launch and return of the #falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/falcon9?src=hash) with #RADARSAT (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RADARSAT?src=hash). Most of it anyway. @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161852.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161853.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161854.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161855.jpg)

ЦитироватьSpaceX Falcon 9 RADARSAT
30th Space Wing Public Affairs
June 11, 2019 | 1:12

Team Vandenberg supported the succesful launch and landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex-4 Wednesday, June 12, at 7:17 a.m. Pacific Time.

ЦитироватьFalcon 9 launch and landing successful
By 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published June 12, 2019

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Team Vandenberg supported the successful launch and landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the RADARSAT Constellation Mission from Space Launch Complex 4 Wednesday, June 12, at 7:17 a.m. Pacific Time.

The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket landed at Landing Zone 4 approximately eight minutes after liftoff. This was SpaceX's second successful landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander, was the space launch commander.

"Access to space is vital for space superiority," said Reeves. "Team V remains diligent in its efforts to provide robust range capabilities in a safe and efficient manner so our mission partners, like SpaceX, continue to have unfettered access to space. This mission highlights, yet again, our capabilities as a spaceport for the nation."

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29920.jpg)D. Stamos/Helodriver‏ @SpacecoastPix (https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpacecoastPix/status/1138906791381618689)

Shot from 15.45 miles NE of the pad to avoid @Marine_layer (https://twitter.com/Marine_layer) shrouding the Purisima Hills at the bottom of the frame, a first full daylight streak shot covering ~ 9 minutes from liftoff to 1st stg landing. First and last few seconds lost to fog. Full res in @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) L2.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161850.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 33 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138928956692844544)

Falcon 9 breaks through the fog

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161858.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161859.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/161860.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg)Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 13 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1138954338481639424)

Radarsat RCM 1,2 and 3 cataloged in 584 x 601 km x 97.8 deg sun-synch orbit in the 0600 LTDN orbit plane, confirming successful launch. Falcon 9 stage 2 deorbited E of Hawaii around 1600 UTC after completing one orbit, and was not cataloged.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29708.jpg)SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 4 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1138957620666961921)

Falcon 9 returns to Earth on LZ-4 after launching the RADARSAT Constellation Mission to orbit – SpaceX's 2nd West Coast land landing

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ЦитироватьThree Canadian radar surveillance satellites ride SpaceX rocket into orbit
June 12, 2019 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/06/) | Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket emerges fr om a shroud of fog seconds after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Credit: SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fired through a dense shroud of coastal fog and climbed into orbit Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, deploying a trio of radar observation satellites to begin a $900 million mission surveying the Arctic, maritime waters, forests and farmland for the Canadian government.

The Radarsat Constellation Mission, made up of three identical Earth-observing satellites, is led by the Canadian Space Agency, and is one of the most expensive missions in the history of the country's space program.

The three Radarsat satellites lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg at 7:17:10 a.m. PDT (10:17:10 a.m. EDT; 1417:10 GMT). Seconds later, the Falcon 9 emerged from a thick blanket of fog as seen from a distant mountaintop tracking camera that provided live views of the rocket's ascent.

Nine kerosene-fueled Merlin main engines propelled the rocket into the sky with 1.7 million pounds of thrust. But viewing opportunities for spectators, photographers and VIPs gathered at Vandenberg for the launch were thwarted by the dense fog layer hanging over the spaceport on California's Central Coast.

After turning toward the south over the Pacific Ocean, the Falcon 9's first stage pushed the rocket into the upper atmosphere, then shut down around 2 minutes, 13 seconds, into the mission. The booster separated and reignited a subset of its engines to reverse course and return to Vandenberg.

The 15-story first stage booster touched down at Landing Zone 4, just a quarter-mile (400 meters) from its launch pad, around eight minutes after liftoff. It was the 41st time SpaceX has successfully landed one of its rocket boosters, and the second rocket return to Vandenberg.

The first stage that launched Wednesday previously flew on a mission from Florida on March 2 to loft SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on its first unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station.

Meanwhile, the Falcon 9's second stage continued firing its single Merlin engine until eight-and-a-half minutes into the mission. The upper stage shut down, coasted over Antarctica and the Indian Ocean, then briefly reignited its Merlin engine to place the Radarsat satellites into a nearly circular orbit inclined 97.8 degrees to the equator.

A specially-designed dispenser made by Ruag Space in Sweden engaged a unique tilt mechanism to position the Radarsat satellites for separation from the launcher. The spacecraft, each weighing about 3,150 pounds (1,430 kilograms), deployed from the rocket one-at-a-time.

A camera on-board the rocket showed the satellites floating into space, and the final spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 at 8:19 a.m. PDT (11:19 a.m. EDT; 1519 GMT).

U.S. military tracking data indicated the satellites were flying at an altitude between 361 and 373 miles (581 and 601 kilometers), and Canadian officials said ground teams received initial status signals from all three of the Radarsat spacecraft, confirming their health after Wednesday's successful launch.

Спойлер

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The first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lands at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Wednesday. Credit: SpaceX

The satellites will extend their flat panel radar antennas, each with an area of about 100 square feet (9.5 square meters), within the first couple of days of the mission, according to MDA, the prime contractor for the Radarsat Constellation Mission. The radars will be powered on for the first time 10 or 11 days after launch, MDA officials said, to begin functional checks and take the first test images.

The full commissioning and calibration campaign will take three to six months, then the Canadian Space Agency will declare the RCM satellites operational and ready for regular observations, officials said.

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One of the Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites separates from the Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: SpaceX

More than 125 Canadian companies from seven provinces helped develop and build the three new Radarsat satellites. Canada's new fleet of Earth-observing spacecraft follows Radarsat 1 and Radarsat 2 — launched in 1995 and 2007 — and are designed to continue operations of the country's flagship satellite system through at least 2026.

"It's extremely important for Canada," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA, in a pre-launch interview with Spaceflight Now.

The RCM project is costing the Canadian government roughly $900 million (1.2 billion Canadian dollars), including the development of the satellites, the launch, and seven years of planned operations, according to Steve Iris, the RSM mission manager at the Canadian Space Agency.

That makes RCM one of the most costly Canadian-led space missions in history, and one of the most expensive payloads ever launched by SpaceX.

Each RCM satellite carries a C-band radar instrument, with a deployable antenna array, transmitters and receivers.

Unlike optical cameras, radars can see through clouds and make observations day and night. The radar instruments emit signals and measure the waves reflected off Earth's surface, yielding information about structures, ships, forests, ice, and crops.

"Earth observation is critical, and radar-based Earth observation gives Canada excellent capabiltiy to deal with the sovereignty and security of Canadians," Greenley said.

A dozen Canadian government agencies, including the military, use Radarsat data. That broad use is expected continue with RCM.

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The three Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites during launch preparations at Vandenberg. Credit: MDA/Canadian Space Agency

"In addition to our resource-based economy requiring monitoring of our forests, mining, energy, and agricultural industries, our northern latitudes that are sensitive to climate change gain from space-based radar systems that can observe the Earth day and night in any weather conditions," said Magdalena Wierus, a project management engineer on the Radarsat Constellation Mission at the Canadian Space Agency.

Most of Canada's long coastline is located in remote regions of the Arctic, away from terrestrial observation posts.

"We have a large part of the northern part of Canada that has a low-density population, and there's not a lot of infrastructure there to do monitoring, and that's wh ere there is the most impact from climate change, especially on the permafrost," Iris said in a pre-launch press conference. "So with the constellation mission, we'll be able to monitor that region every day, and monitor subtle changes like ground deformation due to permafrost melting. We'll be able to do that four times a day, which is a big advantage compared to what we do now."

When observing in spotlight mode, each of the three RCM satellites has a best resolution of 1 meter (3.3 feet) in azimuth, and 3 meters (9.8 feet) in range. That is comparable to Radarsat 2's imaging power.

But with three satellites, RCM can cover more territory.

"It's a three-satellite mission, each orbiting the Earth, evenly spaced, every 96 minutes at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles)," Wierus said. "One of the main improvements of the constellation is that together they're able to ensure an exact revisit of a point on the Earth every four days, compared to Radarsat 2, which had an exact revisit of every 24 days.

"Now, why is this important? It's because we can use these images to measure changes in ground movement, for example, which can help us understand what's happening on the Earth better," she said. "The RCM has the capacity to image any given location on 90 percent of the Earth's surface daily, but will be primarily imaging Canadian territory."

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Artist's concept of the Radarsat Constellation Mission in orbit, with their radar antennas deployed. Credit: MDA

Along with maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring, the RCM satellites will track the movement of icebergs and the retreat and growth of glaciers and ice sheets. The observation satellites will also monitor natural disasters, such as floods, and detect water pollution.

"The main request of government users was to have daily coverage of the Canadian land mass and maritime approaches, including images of the Arctic four times a day," Wierus said. "RCM is able to cover all of the regions of Canada within a 24-hour period, which was not possible with Radarsat 2."

Wierus said the Canadian Space Agency is examining ways to distribute data collected by the Radarsat Constellation Mission outside the Canadian government, allowing international scientists, corporations and the public to access RCM's imagery.

Besides the radar imaging sensor, each RCM spacecraft hosts a radio receiver to collect identification messages transmitted by maritime vessels.

"Overlaid on top of the radar images this can help pinpoint ships that may be in trouble, or rogue ships that do not want to be found," Wierus said.

According to Greenley, MDA is supporting the Canadian government in the development of an open data access policy for RCM. Radarsat 2, which is still operational, is a commercial satellite that was partially funded by the Canadian government, with additional private sector investment from MDA, now part of Maxar.

MDA owns Radarsat 2, while the Canadian government owns the RCM satellites.

The Canadian government says it expects to use approximately 250,000 RCM images per year, more than the government's demand for imagery from previous Radarsat missions.

Wednesday's launch was the seventh SpaceX mission of the year, and the company's second from Vandenberg in 2019. SpaceX teams on Florida's Space Coast are readying a triple-core Falcon Heavy rocket for the company's next launch, set for no earlier than June 24 at 11:30 p.m. EDT (0330 GMT on June 25).

The Falcon Heavy will take off from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Another Falcon 9 launch from neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled for no earlier than July 21 to loft SpaceX's next Dragon resupply mission to the space station.

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185394.jpg)CanadianSpaceAgency‏Подлинная учетная запись @csa_asc (https://twitter.com/csa_asc) 20 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1141447526555537408)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125260.png)'s space telescope NEOSSat captured this image of the #RCMSatellites (https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMSatellites?src=hash) on June 15, 3 days after their launch. NEOSSat was flying over Northern Ontario while RCM was above Florida.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125427.png): @DRDC_RDDC (https://twitter.com/DRDC_RDDC)

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ЦитироватьLaunch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission

Canadian Space Agency (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ)

Опубликовано: 2 июл. 2019 г.

2019-07-02 - This video highlights the launch milestones of Canada's RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), which took off on June 12, 2019 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The constellation of three satellites will provide daily images of Canada's vast territory and maritime approaches, as well as images of the Arctic, up to four times a day. It will have daily access to 90 per cent of the world's surface. The RCM is also equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS), allowing improved detection and tracking of ships, including those conducting illegal fishing. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, SpaceX)

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First engineering image captured by the RADARSAT Constellation Mission

2019-06-29 - One of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites captured its very first engineering image of the sea ice in the Strait of Davis and the coast of Baffin Island, Nunavut, including the community of Qikiqtarjuaq, home to about 600 people. This non-calibrated image was acquired on June 29, 2019, at a 100-metre resolution in a low noise ScanSAR mode.

The RCM is currently in a three- to six-month commissioning phase after being launched to space on June 12, 2019. The trio of satellites will provide daily images of Canada's vast territory and maritime approaches, as well as images of the Arctic. It will have daily access to 90 per cent of the world's surface. The RCM is also equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS), allowing safe navigation as well as improved detection and tracking of ships, including those conducting illegal fishing.