Re: Communications sat, lunar lander and undisclosed payloads...

From: Dr. T.S. Kelso via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org>
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 01:44:06 +0000
The latest on that story:

https://spacenews.com/air-force-smallsat-to-fly-on-upcoming-falcon-9-launch/

Dr. T.S. Kelso
CelesTrak, https://celestrak.com
E-Mail: ts.kelso_at_celestrak.com<mailto:ts.kelso_at_celestrak.com>

On 2019 Feb 11, at 18:26, Scott Tilley via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org<mailto:seesat-l_at_satobs.org>> wrote:

Spaceflight has confirmed that S5 a Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) mission will be the 'several undisclosed payloads' on the upcoming PSN-6/Beresheet launch.

http://spaceflight.com/spaceflight-to-launch-first-privately-funded-lunar-lander/

Regards,

Scott Tilley

On 1/28/19 4:56 PM, Scott Tilley via Seesat-l wrote:
I've done some research into the upcoming launch of SpaceIL's lunar lander. Beresheet as it is call, is scheduled to launch with Nusantara Satu/PSN VI in mid February on a Falcon 9 from the cape[2].

In my research, I noted that there are "several undisclosed payloads"[1] on the launch going to GTO and GEO. "Spaceflight" the group behind the SSO-A launch is co-ordinating these ride shares.

There are no references, I have seen, that show any group has something small and ready to go to GEO with dates in this time frame.  This could hint at a classified payload or more.

The reason I say small is that the launch mass of PSN-6 is actually rather low for a Falcon 9.  Low enough it has plenty of capability to launch it to GTO and SpaceIL's lander as well with some margin to spare and still be recovered. The two disclosed payloads have launch masses as follows: PSN VI, 4735 kg [2], SpaceIL Lander, 585 kg [3]. This totals a payload launch mass of about 5320kg. A full thrust Falcon 9 can loft ~5500kg into a 27 degree GTO and still be recovered at sea. So that leaves about 180kg of 'extra' capability.

While searching for any information on 'small' GTO/GEO missions, I came across Blue Canyon Technologies (BCL) of Colorado.  A news release from September 11, 2017 peaked my interest as it discusses two missions by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to GEO they have received a contract to build [4].  No dates are discussed.

Further review of the BCL website reveals further descriptions of the two interesting missions in the press release:


   S5

 *

   ESPA-Class MicroSat for the Air Force Research Laboratory.

 *

   Capable of detecting and locating near-GEO (geo-synchronous orbit)
   space objects for routine and frequent updates to the GEO catalog.


   ASCENT

 *

   12U CubeSat for the Air Force Research Laboratory.

 *

   First demonstration of a CubeSat at GEO.

S5 seems be a BCL class of microsat with a maximum mass of 250kg, while ASCENT is a 12U cubesat.  1U has a maximum mass of 1.33kg, so 12U would have a maximum mass of 15.96kg[5].  Assuming both of these missions are on the above flight that brings the launch maximum payload mass to 5585.96kg assuming mass extremes.  S5 appears to have a 60kg bus mass based on info on the BCL site so the extra mass is assumed to be the payload and possibly fuel and may not max out at 250kg.  I haven't seen any clear statements about the flight profile of this Falcon 9 mission yet.

I wouldn't be surprised to see these two missions being the "undisclosed payloads' destined to quietly slip into GEO to conduct research space situational awareness missions for the US air force research lab.

Any further thoughts from the community on this interesting mission and what the “several undisclosed payloads” may be and what this particular Falcon 9 is scheduled to do with respect to recovery?

Regards,
Scott Tilley

ROBERTS CREEK 1:
8049 ST 49.4348 -123.6685 40. Scott Tilley
ROBERTS CREEK 2:
8048 ST 49.4175 -123.6420 1. Scott Tilley

Keep tabs on COSPAR 8049 on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/coastal8049?lang=en
______

References:

1- https://www.spaceflightindustries.com/2018/09/11/spaceflight-offers-rideshare-launches-to-geosynchronous-transfer-orbit/

2- https://psn.co.id/nsatu/

3- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44777305

4- http://bluecanyontech.com/blue-canyon-technologies-selected-air-force-research-laboratory-pursue-geo-missions/

5- http://bluecanyontech.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DataSheet_XBSpacecraft_13.pdf


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Received on Fri Feb 15 2019 - 19:55:36 UTC

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