By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Science, Space & Technology

Space Science Digital
Contact
Search
  • Home
  • Environment

    Will asteroid 2023DW strike Earth on Valentine’s Day 2046?

    March 9, 2023

    Europa’s icy crust rides on warm ocean currents

    March 27, 2023

    Webb provides a spectacular hint of future “Deep Field” images while probing the distant past

    April 14, 2023

    Webb serves up baby pictures of galaxy cluster in infant cosmos

    May 4, 2023
  • Space Flight

    Weather forecast favorable for Relativity’s first orbital launch attempt

    March 6, 2023

    SpaceX launch scrapped at last minute leaving NASA astronauts grounded

    February 27, 2023

    Supernovae might be a good place to hunt for alien broadcasts

    January 26, 2023

    The stargazing spectacles you need to put in your diary for 2023

    January 4, 2023
  • Cosmology

    A new place to look for alien life: The photosynthetic habitable zone

    February 24, 2023

    Explore the constellation Orion: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

    February 6, 2023

    A brief history of the UK’s Winchcombe meteorite

    March 14, 2023

    Observe the Virgo Cluster of galaxies: This Week in Astronomy

    March 20, 2023
  • Latest
  • About Us
Reading: SpaceX launches Inmarsat I-6 F2 on 12th mission of 2023
Share
Aa
Space Science DigitalSpace Science Digital
  • Environment
  • Space Flight
  • Cosmology
  • Technology
Search
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Environment
    • Technology
    • Cosmology
    • Space Flight
  • More Foxiz
    • Blog Index
    • Forums
    • Complaint
    • Sitemap
Follow US
© 2023 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.
Space Science Digital > Blog > Space Flight > SpaceX launches Inmarsat I-6 F2 on 12th mission of 2023
Space Flight

SpaceX launches Inmarsat I-6 F2 on 12th mission of 2023

By Ben French February 17, 2023 8 Min Read
Share

[ad_1]

SpaceX has launched the Inmarsat I-6 F2 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit atop a Falcon 9. The vehicle lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at the opening of the 89-minute long launch window on Feb. 17 at 10:59 PM EST (03:59 UTC on Feb. 18). This launch marked 2023’s 24th orbital launch and SpaceX’s 12th of the year — an average launch cadence of 4.1 days per launch.

SLC-40 supported the Starlink Group 5-4 mission just 5.95 days before the planned liftoff time of this mission; this marked the third-fastest turnaround of the pad after 5.15 days between the Amazonas Nexus mission and Starlink Group 5-4 and 5.63 days between Hakuto-R Mission 1 and O3b mPOWER 1 & 2.

Citing the thick cloud layers and cumulus cloud rules, Space Launch Delta 45 initially listed the probability of violating weather constraints at 25%. This improved to just 15% closer to launch.

The Inmarsat I-6 F2 payload is a dual-payload satellite that can transmit signals in both L-band and Ka-band frequencies. It is part of Inmarsat’s network of the future, ORCHESTRA, which will provide seamless, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for global mobility.

See Also

The I-6 F2 satellite was built by Airbus and is the second I-6 satellite built; the first satellite, I-6 F1, was launched atop an H-IIA rocket in December 2021. Inmarsat-6 F2 will provide coverage over the Atlantic Ocean and will be supported by two new ground station antennas in Spain.

Inmarsat designed the payload to offer maximum flexibility and adaptability for its customers. It features a multi-beam, digitally processed payload that can dynamically allocate capacity to different regions and user groups.

It also has a software-defined radio that can switch between L-band and Ka-band modes depending on the demand and availability of the spectrum. This will allow the satellite to offer full routing flexibility over more than 8,000 channels and dynamic power allocation of more than 200 spot beams in the L-band.

The I-6 F2 payload is a key component of Inmarsat’s ORCHESTRA network, which will integrate geostationary, low Earth orbit, and terrestrial 5G technologies into a single solution. ORCHESTRA will leverage the strengths of each technology to deliver the best performance and user experience for different applications and environments. This constellation will also enable dynamic mesh connectivity, allowing satellites and ground stations to communicate with each other and share resources.

Inmarsat I-6 F2 being prepared for thermal vacuum testing. (Credit: Airbus)

With the I-6 F2 payload, Inmarsat aims to enhance its services and offer connectivity for its customers in the aviation, maritime, government, enterprise, and humanitarian sectors. The I-6 F2 payload will support Inmarsat’s ELERA and Global Xpress network components of ORCHESTRA.

The satellite masses 5,500 kg and is built on the Airbus Eurostar-3000EOR satellite bus. It utilizes the Fakel SPT140D propulsion unit and has two deployable solar arrays.

Inmarsat-6 F2 sat in the payload fairing of Falcon 9, attached to the second stage. Following payload fairing separation, both fairing halves will softly splash down in the ocean and be recovered by SpaceX’s multi-purpose recovery vessel Bob.

Serving as the first stage, B1077 flew for the third time, with its previous flight occurring just 31 days prior on the GPS-III-SV06 mission. The booster’s first flight was on the Crew-5 mission, which launched in October 2022.

Following first stage separation, B1077 conducted two burns. First, the booster ignited three of its engines for the entry burn, slowing it down ahead of atmospheric reentry. Shortly after, it ignited its single, center engine and softly touched down on Just Read the Instructions (JRTI).

Departure! Just Read the Instructions droneship is underway for the Inmarsat I-6 F2 mission! Bob is towing and will also recover the fairing.https://t.co/icguJj64A8 pic.twitter.com/2iMIMEIGZo

— Gav Cornwell (@SpaceOffshore) February 13, 2023

The now familiar Falcon 9 countdown sequence began at T-38 minutes when the Launch Director verified that the vehicle was go for propellant loading. Three minutes later, at T-35 minutes, SpaceX began loading subcooled RP-1 onto both the first and second stages, as well as superchilled liquid oxygen (LOX) onto the first stage. 

Around T-20 minutes, a large cloud vented from the strong back, signifying the second stage was fully fueled with RP-1 and the Transporter-Erector was being readied for Stage 2 LOX loading, which began at T-16 minutes.

At T-7 minutes, the Falcon 9 ran small amounts of liquid oxygen through the nine Merlin 1D engines on the first stage. Known as engine chill, this process cools the engines slowly, ensuring they do not crack from thermal shock when superchilled LOX flows through them at engine ignition.

At T-1 minute, Falcon 9 entered startup and began tank pressurization for flight. At this time, the Falcon 9 was in command of its countdown.

Forty-five seconds before launch, the Launch Director verified that all systems were go for launch. Manual aborts could be called by the launch operators up until T-10 seconds, after which technical aborts are only handled by the vehicle itself and not the ground operators.

At T-3 seconds, the booster’s flight computer commanded the ignition of the first stage’s nine Merlin 1D engines. The engines on the first stage ignite in pairs to reduce startup transients and loads on the vehicle. 

Falcon 9 shortly after liftoff on the Starlink Group 4-36 mission in October 2022. (Credit: SpaceX)

Once Falcon 9 ensured all systems were nominal, it commanded the hydraulic clamps at the base of the vehicle to release, letting the rocket lift off from the pad.

B1077 burned for approximately two minutes and 31 seconds before it commanded shutdown of all nine of its engines. The stages then separated, and the second stage ignited its single vacuum-optimized Merlin engine, in an event known as SES-1. At T+3:23, the fairing halves deployed from the second stage, exposing the Inmarsat I-6 F2 payload to the vacuum of space.

The second stage continued burning until approximately T+8:09 when it then shut down the MVac engine. Booster B1077-3 then landed atop JRTI, becoming B1077-4. This marked SpaceX’s 99th consecutive successful landing.

After an 18-minute long coast, the second stage ignited again for 63 seconds before shutting down. Five minutes later, the satellite was deployed, marking SpaceX’s 182nd consecutive successful launch.

This launch marked SpaceX’s fifth mission of February. The next two launches planned from the space coast include Starlink Group 6-1 (the first batch of Starlink v2.0 satellites) and Crew-6.

(Lead image: Falcon 9 lifts off from SLC-40 with Inmarsat I-6 F2. Credit: Stephen Marr for NSF)



[ad_2]

TAGGED: 12th, Inmarsat, launches, Mission, SpaceX

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Ben French February 17, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

HOT NEWS

Weather forecast favorable for Relativity’s first orbital launch attempt

Space Flight
March 6, 2023

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered…

October 27, 2024

NASA Says Spacecraft Crash Test Successfully Changes Asteroid’s Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions…

October 11, 2022

World-Saving Spacecraft Passes Test

NASA says its DART spacecraft successfully shifted the path of an asteroid. For us earthlings,…

October 11, 2022

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to launch 2 German army satellites early Dec. 23

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is about to launch two radar reconnaissance satellites for the German army early Saturday morning…

News
December 23, 2023

SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 first-stage booster on record-breaking nineteenth flight

Falcon 9 booster 1058 stands prepared for launch Friday evening at House Launch Complicated 40 at Cape Canaveral House Power…

Space Flight
December 23, 2023

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to launch on record-breaking nineteenth mission tonight

SpaceX is poised to interrupt its rocket-reuse document but once more.A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch 23 of…

News
December 22, 2023

NASA Asteroid Sampling Mission Renamed OSIRIS-APEX for New Journey

The previous OSIRIS-REx spacecraft units off on a journey to check asteroid Apophis and reap the benefits of the asteroid’s…

News
December 22, 2023
We use our own and third-party cookies to improve our services, personalise your advertising and remember your preferences.
  • Jobs Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Exclusives
  • Learn How
  • Support
  • Solutions
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Editorial Policy
  • Marketing Solutions
  • Industry Intelligence

Follow US: 

Space Science Digital

Welcome to spacescience.digital, A source for the latest news and developments in the exciting field of space science. Our blog covers a wide range of topics, from the latest space missions and discoveries to updates on technology and scientific breakthroughs. We are passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe with our readers and providing them with engaging and informative content. Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the mysteries of space and the frontiers of human knowledge.

© 2024 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?