FALCON USER’S GUIDE 8 OPERATIONS Falcon launch vehicle operations are described in this section for launches from CCAFS and KSC (Section 6.1) and VAFB (Section 6.1.2). SpaceX launch operations are designed for rapid response (targeting less than one hour from vehicle rollout from the hangar to launch). Customers are strongly encouraged to develop launch readiness capabilities and timelines consistent with a rapid prelaunch concept of operations. OVERVIEW AND SCHEDULE The Falcon launch vehicle system and associated operations have been designed for minimal complexity and minimal time at the pad (Figure 8-1). Customer payload processing is performed in a payload processing facility (PPF). After completion of standalone spacecraft operations (typically over a 20-day period) by L-10 days, SpaceX performs the adapter mate and fairing encapsulation at the PPF. The spacecraft is then transported to the integration hangar. The launch vehicle is processed in the integration hangar at the launch complex and then loaded on the transporter-erector. The encapsulated assembly is mated to the launch vehicle at approximately L-5 days, followed by end-to-end system checkouts. Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy systems are designed for rollout and launch on the same day, but SpaceX can perform an earlier rollout and conduct a longer countdown if required. Figure 8-1: Illustrative Falcon launch vehicle processing, integration and launch operations schedule SPACECRAFT DELIVERY AND TRANSPORTATION For standard service processing and integration, payloads should be delivered to the launch site four weeks prior to launch. Alternative delivery schedules can be arranged as a nonstandard service. Customers typically deliver their payloads via air or ground transport. Cape Canaveral offers two convenient landing locations for customers delivering their payloads and associated equipment via air transport: the Shuttle Landing Facility and the CCAFS Skid Strip. Vandenberg provides one landing location at the VAFB airfield, approximately 14 miles north of the launch complex. Non-US payloads coming to VAFB via the airfield must clear customs at LAX or another port of entry prior to arrival at VAFB. As a standard service, SpaceX will arrange for the customer’s spacecraft container and all associated test and support equipment to be offloaded from the plane and transported to the payload processing facility. Ground transport services can also be provided by AstroTech Space Operations or Spaceport Systems International; SpaceX can facilitate these as a nonstandard service. © Space Exploration Technologies Corp. All rights reserved. 52