SpaceX’s Current Plans for Launches, Pads, and Vehicles

An absolute wealth of information about SpaceX’s 2017 from Chris Bergin of NASASpaceFlight.com, beginning with upcoming launches, beyond EchoStar 23 (March 12) and SES-10 (March 27):

L2 Range information for both KSC and Vandenberg show two launches arranging dates in April from the East Coast, although this does not include the CRS-11 Dragon, with ISS sources claiming they are waiting on an updated launch schedule.

On the West Coast, three missions have set placeholders for launch from Vandenberg, namely Iridium 2 on June 17, the Formosat-5 mission on July 22 and Iridium-3 on August 24.

That date for Formosat-5 adds a little context to the removal of Sherpa from that mission. As Spaceflight noted in their release, they have more control over the schedule for their dedicated SSO-A flight—currently manifested for 2017—than they do as secondary payload on a mission that was originally booked to fly on the Falcon 1e.

Formosat-5 has a hard time pulling rank on the manifest—as CRS-10 did—since it’s going to be such an unprofitable launch.

Continuing from Chris’ article, on the status of SLC-40:

Engineers continue to repair the pad in preparation for what is currently classed – according to the latest source information – as a target of August for the return of its operational capability.

…

It was also noted that SpaceX is working a plan that involves returning operations to SLC-40 before then working on 39A to prepare it for the maiden launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket.

This work will take “at least 60 days” to complete, focusing on the 39A TEL table – which is currently specific to the single core Falcon 9 – and Tail Service Masts (TSM).

Once the work is complete, SpaceX is expected to conduct a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) for the Falcon Heavy – which will include two side boosters that have previously been involved with Falcon 9 missions.

Loads of good information there—SLC-40 back online in the fall, 60 days of work to get the TEL and TSMs ready for Falcon Heavy, and both side boosters of that initial flight will be previously-flown Falcon 9 cores.

We’re still 6 months away from Falcon Heavy, but the way I read the tea leaves, SpaceX’s big goal this year is to get Falcon 9 Block 5 up and operational. After that, Dragon 2 flights—both crewed and uncrewed—can begin, and they can move forward with Falcon Heavy, Red Dragon, and lunar missions.