Space X crewed launch and downrange activity

[zero_gravity]

Hopefully not off topic here ... a heads up for next month when Space X will launch a crewed mission to the ISS
This will be the first "manned" launch in nearly ten years from Florida.

Those who remember the days of the shuttle will be aware that a number of airfields in Europe were designated as abort/escape sites for the shuttle should
problems arise before reaching orbit.

UHF comms could be heard , this side the pond via satellite on 259.7 and 296.8.
From experience , 259.7 always seemed more active.
In addition , downrange comms links were established via Inmarsat [analogue SCPC]


Last year the first unmanned test took place and a notice to mariners issued , which
had four ocean sectors.One of which described a point off the Irish coast about 150 miles abeam Shannon.



260952Z FEB 19
NAVAREA IV 134/19(GEN).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
EASTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
CANADA.
IRELAND.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
020740Z TO 020820Z MAR, ALTERNATE
050630Z TO 050710Z MAR:
A. IN AREA BOUND BY
28-37-00N 080-38-00W, 28-47-00N 080-31-00W,
28-56-00N 080-19-00W, 28-53-00N 080-16-00W,
28-41-00N 080-23-00W, 28-35-00N 080-27-00W,
28-34-00N 080-37-00W.
B. IN AREA BOUND BY
31-21-00N 077-35-00W, 31-50-00N 077-13-00W,
32-06-00N 076-31-00W, 31-58-00N 076-24-00W,
31-28-00N 076-54-00W, 31-11-00N 077-26-00W.
C. IN AREA BETWEEN
47-58-35N 46-35-21N AND 051-18-33W 049-30-08W.
D. IN AREA BETWEEN
53-01-57N 51-30-47N AND 011-50-53W 011-



This inferred that the area off the coast of Ireland could be an abort zone for capsule recovery.
The Space X capsule does not of course have the luxury of being able to glide down to a safe
airfield , as did the shuttle , so in the event of a late abort it looked like the eastern Atlantic
could come into play.

This seemed to be confirmed by a statement here.....


"If required, thrusters on the Crew Dragon or Starliner spacecraft would fire after an abort to ensure the capsule lands within about 300 miles of eastern Canada or Ireland, NASA officials told CBS News. "

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/01/16/s ... e-teams/

If this is correct , then there is a possibility that SAR teams from the US might well deploy to Shannon a few days prior
to launch to set up comms links etc.


If the same protocol is used for Space X comms as was the shuttle launches , the UHF satcom frequencies might also be used.

It will be interesting to see how things play out in the run up to the launch








....

[zero_gravity]

It has been suggested on the Spaceflight forum that the "USAF 352nd Special Ops Wing will stage operations from Shannon airport from their RAF Mildenhall based in the UK. Likely a couple of MC-130Js and a few CV-22Bs."

Sounds sensible.
I have only ever seen the CV22s venture as far west as the Lake District in the past , so in the run up to launch day it will be heads up to see if
they head to Shannon with their support team.

[BANDIT]

Very intresting thanks for the heads up
would be worth taking a trip to shannon
but we might be still in lock down
any idea of a date of launch
BANDIT

[zero_gravity]

At present the launch is set for May 27th AFAIK

I am making enquiries of the Irish Navy and also Space X but so far no joy.
Can't believe that there would be no contingencies for a possible late abort and splash zone.

The CV22s would seem like the best option for SAR standby.

[BANDIT]

Cheers would*nt mind a couple of cv 22s going ott
my location will be tuned in that day
BANDIT

[zero_gravity]

Once the NOTICE to Mariners is released we should have a better idea of where the late abort zone will be.
There should also be a NOTAM.

[BANDIT]

Good stuff thanks for the heads up
BANDIT

[zero_gravity]

The launch is scheduled for May 27, 2020 at 3:32 p.m. (CT).

[BANDIT]

Good stuff thanks for the heads up
BANDIT

[zero_gravity]

Interestingly , no-one at NASA / Space X is responding to enquiries about late abort downrange procedures. I am beginning to wonder if there are any
arrangements in place.

[zero_gravity]

Still having a bit of a struggle to firm up any info...however this , from the Apollo era demonstrates just how important recovery is.....

Task Force 140 (Manned Spacecraft Recovery Force, Atlantic), comprising one ship, six HC-130H aircraft, three helicopters and approximately 300 personnel, will be positioned for possible launch abort operations. Two ships in the Atlantic will also be used for acoustical testing.

With just eleven days to go and the crew now in pre flight quarantine an exercise of this scale should be getting underway in the next few days.

Again from the Apollo era , a contact advises that forces were deployed to SW UK [ St Morgan ?] and Lajes.

[EGNV]

Would the U.S Navy provide assets in the area?

I guess one of the Aircraft Carriers could provide everything needed off-shore ?

[zero_gravity]

Indeed , this is a task for the "Guardian Angels" but again , no official confirmation as yet that they will be involved this side of the Atlantic.

http://spaceref.biz/commercial-space/re ... nauts.html

[zero_gravity]

The first Nav warning has been issued for next week's launch..
No mention of the down range recovery sector.

Meanwhile further reports of CV22s "visiting " south west England over the last couple of weeks.
No replies from NASA, Space X , USAF press officers or the Irish Navy regarding plans for recovery , if required in the event
of a late abort.





212114Z MAY 20
NAVAREA IV 424/20(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ** ROCKET LAUNCHING
272022Z TO 272107Z MAY, ALTERNATE
301911Z TO 301956Z AND 311849Z TO 311934Z MAY
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-38.3N 080-37.1W, 28-39.0N 080-37.1W,
29-01.0N 080-14.1W, 28-58.0N 080-11.1W,
28-34.0N 080-29.1W, 28-33.3N 080-34.1W.
B. 31-22.0N 077-44.0W, 32-01.0N 077-16.0W,
32-18.0N 076-41.0W, 32-12.0N 076-34.0W,
31-42.0N 076-52.0W, 31-17.0N 077-40.0W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 312034Z MAY 20.


ZG

[Noddi3]

Thanks Zero Gravity, interesting information.

We were able to see the recent Starlink second stage pass over 20 minutes after launch. To watch the live-stream on TV and then step outside and see it pass overhead shortly after even got the good lady interested.

If launch on 27th May is at 9:32pm local for UK, ISS (the 'target') will make a visible pass almost directly overhead at 9:23pm. There will probably be too much daylight to see ISS or the Crew Dragon chasing it down on that pass.

There is a visible pass on the next orbit at 10:59pm but from here (52.26°N) it will only be 31° above the SSW horizon, but hopefully it will be possible to see ISS and then Crew Dragon a short while after on the same track.

Looking at the data, from Edinburgh (55.99°N) the AEV will be 19° above the SSW horizon. So Obviously the further south you are the better chance to see it.

Somewhere I have a photo taken from my garden of the light trails of one of the last Shuttle missions chasing down ISS, all those years ago.

[zero_gravity]

There is a good chance we will see something although , never see Endeavour again (

Imaged over the UK just before de orbit.

[zero_gravity]

ISS during a September pass

Don't forget to monitor the UHF satcom freqs as noted earlier

[Noddi3]

Those pics are incredible, similar to 'Space Station Guys' on YouTube, Instagram and www.spacestationguys.com

What antenna do you recommend for 259.7? I have a homemade QFH for 137 Mhz, would love to get something sorted for Wednesday.

I use a USB SDR stick with SDR# software.

[zero_gravity]

I have to rely on a basic discone at present [ if its still on the roof , blowing a gale here ]
used to get bursts of comms on the first orbit when the shuttle was in service.

In addition , again the days of the shuttle there used to be link ups between MCC and the downrange sites in France and Spain via Inmarsat analogue voice channels.

[zero_gravity]

BTW , don't be put off by the fact that it will still be quite light during the ISS pass on the 27th.Crew Dragon won't be vis but If you know where to look , using binoculars you should see the station.
Some of my best images have been taken in this kind of lighting , in fact I have imaged ISS in the middle of a summers day in the past.

This series of pics was taken years ago in early evening light when the station was in its early stage of construction.