Questions tagged [orbcomm-2]

Orbcomm Generation 2 (Orbcomm-OG2) are communications satellites, eleven of which were launched on SpaceX's now famous Falcon 9 flight 20

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1 answer
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Falcon 9 - relief valves closing times

From what I understand, prior to the launch, the relief valves are open to allow some of the boiling LOX to evaporate and be replaced with fresh, cold one (we can see oxygen evaporating - and "...
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8 votes
1 answer
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What goes into the planning and execution of the deployment of groups of LEO satellites?

I was among many watching SpaceX's exciting OrbComm-2 mission (Falcon-9 Flight 20, 22-Dec-2015), and besides the first successful landing of a 1st stage after an orbital mission, the deployment of the ...
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5 votes
1 answer
447 views

What pattern of satellite release will the pentagonal Iridium arrangement use?

The first ten of eleven OrbComm satellites were deployed in opposing pairs at five different times. The 2nd stage performed roll maneuvers to make sure the initial velocity and/or attitude were ...
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What is the burn time for the F9 boostback / reentry / landing burns?

I'm trying to figure out the timing of the 3 recovery burns and the total fuel reserve needed to perform them. [Answers Inlined] Boostback: [30] seconds of 3-engines at full-thrust. Reentry: [20] ...
2 votes
1 answer
431 views

DId the Falcon 2nd stage turn around [UPDATED] and point "backwards" before the Orbcomm-2 deployement started?

It looks to me like the camera used for the deployment part of the Webcast shown on YouTube is located near the "bottom" of the payload area (closer to the engine & tanks) - in which case, did ...
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9 votes
1 answer
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2nd stage speed - with respect to what? (SpaceX webcast of Orbcomm OG2 deployment)

As a follow-up question to this answer by @TildalWave, exactly what frame is used to calculate the "speed" in the inset display of speed and altitude in the SpaceX broadcast of the Falcon 9 launch and ...
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5 votes
1 answer
548 views

A nicer way to download the positions of the Orbcomm-2 satellites

I'm trying to watch the Orbcomm-2 satellites evolve into a constellation. They were recently placed in orbit by SpaceX (their video here) and the details are discussed in this excellent question and ...
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17 votes
2 answers
3k views

How did Falcon 9 deploy 11 satellites?

Falcon 9 Flight 20 has successfully deployed 11 ORBCOMM satellites into orbit. I can easily imagine a rocket deploying 1 or 2 satellites. But how did Falcon deploy 11 satellites in a single flight? ...
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8 votes
1 answer
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How far from launchpad did Falcon 9's first stage go?

On December 21st, 2015 on the Orbcomm OG2 mission, Falcon 9's first stage landed 6 miles from its launchpad. What was the highest altitude reached by the first stage, and how far did it go from the ...
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18 votes
1 answer
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What was the distant bright light in the SpaceX webcast of Orbcomm OG2 deployment?

As I was watching the SpaceX launch today on YouTube, I have noticed a bright distant light as the satellites were being deployed. What was that light? Also, after each deployment there was something ...