Thursday, 13 January 2022

CPUT MDASat-1 Launch - SpaceX Mission Plan

An overview of the mission stages An overview of the mission stages SpaceX

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, January 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of Transporter-3 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Transporter-3 will be carrying the CPUT MDASat - 1 constellation. The 29-minute launch window opens at 10:25 a.m. EST, or 15:25 UTC, and a backup opportunity is available on Friday, January 14 with the same window.

Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously launched Crew Demo-2, ANASIS-II, CRS-21, Transporter-1, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Transporter-3 is SpaceX’s third dedicated rideshare mission, and onboard this launch are 105 spacecraft (including CubeSats, microsats, PocketQubes, and orbital transfer vehicles). A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.

Mission Plan

Countdown

All times are approximate. The list below only reflects the MDASat-1 deployments, other customer deployments have been omitted for clarity. As stated above, a total of 105 spacecraft will be deployed during this mission.

Hr/Min/SecEvent
00:38:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway
00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway
00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading underway
00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

Launch, Landing, and Deployment

All times are approximate

Hr/Min/SecEvent
00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:15 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:19 1st and 2nd stage separate
00:02:26 2nd stage engine starts
00:02:32 Boostback burn begins
00:03:47 Fairing deployment
00:06:36 1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:26 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:08:27 1st stage landing
00:55:22 2nd stage engine restarts
00:55:24 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:11:01 MDASat-1a deploys
01:12:44 MDASat-1b deploys
01:12:58 MDASat-1c deploys
Written by ISF