Vodafone Group partner, AST SpaceMobile, which is building the first and only space-based cellular network accessible directly from standard mobile phones, has confirmed it plans to launch its BlueWalker 3 test satellite during the week of August 15, 2022.
CEO Elon Musk claims that SpaceX could be ready to attempt Starship’s first orbital launch as early as July.While SpaceX has been making slow and steady progress preparing the Starship upper stage and Super Heavy booster nominally assigned to that launch debut, the odds that even just one of those two stages will be fully qualified for flight before the end of July are quite small. Musk’s claims about what will happen after that rocket is ready are even loftier.According to Musk, after SpaceX is done preparing a Starship and Super Heavy booster for their inaugural orbital launch attempt sometime “next month,” the company will have a second ship and booster pair “ready to fly in August” and another pair every month after that. If SpaceX rapidly completes the dozens of environmental mitigations assigned to it on June 13th and receives an FAA license or experimental permit for orbital Starship launches, the company does theoretically have permission for five orbital launches out of South Texas in 2022, but the same is also true for all 12 months of 2023.However, there is very little evidence that SpaceX is on the cusp of being able to complete a new orbital-class Starship and Super Heavy booster every month. While SpaceX is working on future Starships and is almost done assembling a second orbital-class Super Heavy booster, the pace of that work appears to be about the same as it’s been for the last 12+ months. Yes, SpaceX is almost done stacking Booster 8 and has begun stacking Ship 25. Sections of Ship 26, Ship 27, and Booster 9 have also been spotted at Starbase. But SpaceX has been unable to finish stacking Booster 8 over the last few months it’s been focused on Ship 24 and Booster 7.Ship 24 and Booster 7, meanwhile, are making good progress but are still incomplete. Both recently completed several mostly successful cryogenic and structural proof tests and returned to SpaceX’s assembly bays, where workers have begun installing Raptor engines and applying finishing touches....Once Booster 7 and Ship 24 are both fully outfitted and installed on their respective test stands, there’s still little reason to believe that either prototype has any chance of completing all the tests needed for flight qualification by the end of July. In fact, for B7 and S24 to be truly ready for flight before the end of July, they’d likely need to wrap up qualification testing well before the end of the month to conduct another series of tests after the pair is fully stacked.
William Harwood @cbs_spacenewsF9/Globalstar FM15: LIFTOFF! At 12:27:36am EDT (0427 UTC)
Jonathan McDowell @planet4589Space-Track confirms the presence of four secret payloads on the Globalstar Falcon 9 launch - USA 328 to USA 331, catalog 52889 to 52892, orbital data not available. One piece of debris, probably a Starlink-style tension rod?
FALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES-22 communication satellite from pad 40 on June 28 at 5:04pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on July, around 10-11pm EDT. Other upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter on August 2, likely around 7:30pm EDT. The next astronaut crew launch and the next Falcon Heavy launch are scheduled for September earliest.
Starlink Group 4-21Launch TimeNET June, 2022
ULA @ulalaunchThe launch of an Atlas V 541 rocket carrying the USSF-12 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has been delayed due to weather impacting launch processing milestones. Launch is now planned for June 30. The launch window will be released closer to launch.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES-22 communication satellite from pad 40 on June 28 at 5:04pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on July TBA around 11pm EDT. A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the next Starlink batch on July 7 around 6:30pm EDT. Other upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
CRS SpX-25Launch TimeNET Jul 07, 2022
No Earlier Than: July 10, 2022Mission: NASA's SpaceX CRS-25 Cargo Resupply Mission to the International Space Station
Rocket Launch Viewing GuideQuoteA Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on early July TBA around midnight EDT. [June 23 update]= ~04:00 UTCQuote from: Alexphysics on 06/23/2022 08:15 pmI'll add that normally Ben Cooper puts the launches in order on his explanation for upcoming Falcon 9 launches and he has SES-22, then CRS-25, and then Starlink 4-21. I believe CRS-25 is going up early in the morning on the 7th while Starlink 4-21 is late in the afternoon so the separation in time is likely going to be well over 12 hours. Certainly doable by both SpaceX and Eastern Range but, as always, fate can be on the way and delay it with any sort of small glitch.Launch shortly after 04:00 UTC/midnight EDT on July 7?
A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on early July TBA around midnight EDT. [June 23 update]
I'll add that normally Ben Cooper puts the launches in order on his explanation for upcoming Falcon 9 launches and he has SES-22, then CRS-25, and then Starlink 4-21. I believe CRS-25 is going up early in the morning on the 7th while Starlink 4-21 is late in the afternoon so the separation in time is likely going to be well over 12 hours. Certainly doable by both SpaceX and Eastern Range but, as always, fate can be on the way and delay it with any sort of small glitch.
Nextspaceflight still lists launch on July 7, [~]22:30 UTC.Rocket Launch Viewing GuideQuoteA Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the next Starlink batch on July 7 in the late afternoon or evening EDT. [June 23 update]
A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the next Starlink batch on July 7 in the late afternoon or evening EDT. [June 23 update]
P138 is gone from the new schedule:https://akaerospace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/INTEGRATED-RANGE-SCHEDULE-3.pdfSo presumably P139 is this ABL launch: August 27 to September 1 2022.
Quote from: Jeff Foust tweet[OneWeb’s Maurizio] Vanotti on OneWeb launch plans: we have an agreement with SpaceX for a few Falcon 9 launches and NSIL for GSLV Mark III. Our plan is to be back on the pad in the 4th quarter and complete deployment by the 2nd quarter of 2023. Full global service by the end of 2023. #SWFSummit22 [June 23]
[OneWeb’s Maurizio] Vanotti on OneWeb launch plans: we have an agreement with SpaceX for a few Falcon 9 launches and NSIL for GSLV Mark III. Our plan is to be back on the pad in the 4th quarter and complete deployment by the 2nd quarter of 2023. Full global service by the end of 2023. #SWFSummit22 [June 23]
QuoteThe Germany military said the second and third SARah satellites will share a ride on a Falcon 9 rocket late this year.https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/06/17/german-military-radar-satellite-ready-for-spacex-rocket-ride/ [June 17]
The Germany military said the second and third SARah satellites will share a ride on a Falcon 9 rocket late this year.
NextSpaceflight indicates that the launch is now scheduled for April 2023.
SN, NASA moves up Lunar Trailblazer launch:https://spacenews.com/nasa-moves-up-lunar-trailblazer-launch/ [June 22]
In a June 21 presentation to the Planetary Science Advisory Committee, Lori Glaze, NASA planetary science division director, said the Lunar Trailblazer mission will now launch as a secondary payload on the second lunar lander mission by Intuitive Machines, called IM-2 and part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. That mission will launch in about a year, she said.
OCI Instrument Passes Key Review [dated May 23]QuotePACE's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) passed its pre-environmental review in April, taking the mission one step closer to its January 2024 launch.
PACE's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) passed its pre-environmental review in April, taking the mission one step closer to its January 2024 launch.
"The PACE project is executing to a new life-cycle cost estimate of $964 million and a committed launch readiness date of May 2024."
"At CDR, the SPHEREx project proposed a launch date of February 2025, 5 months later than its targeted launch readiness date but earlier than its committed launch readiness date. As of February 2022, NASA had not approved this delay."
FWIW that page also says"When commenting on a draft of this assessment, SPHEREx project officials said NASA approved delaying the project’s target launch readiness date by 5 months to February 2025."
"IMAP entered the implementation phase and established its cost and schedule baselines in July 2021. NASA set a baseline life-cycle cost of $781.8 million and a December 2025 launch date."
Quote from: SES tweetIt's almost time for the first SES launch of this year!We're thrilled to announce SES-22, our first C-band satellite dedicated to the U.S., is scheduled to launch next week. [June 24]29 June17:04 EDT / 23:04 CESTSpaceX Delayed by 24 hours."The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES-22 communication satellite from pad 40 on June 29 at 5:04pm EDT" @ Ben coopers site [Updated 24th June]
It's almost time for the first SES launch of this year!We're thrilled to announce SES-22, our first C-band satellite dedicated to the U.S., is scheduled to launch next week. [June 24]29 June17:04 EDT / 23:04 CESTSpaceX
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1540394908720177152Quote from: Jeff Foust tweetNASA confirms Psyche will not launch in 2022. [June 24]
NASA confirms Psyche will not launch in 2022. [June 24]
From the teleconference: There will be a nice opportunity to launch in July 2023 and September 2023.
Kleos’ fourth cluster manifest to launch on SpaceX: Kleos Space, a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) and Mission-as-a-Service (MaaS) provider, confirmed its Observer Mission (KSF3) satellites are manifested to launch on the Transporter-6 SpaceX mission NET October 2022. The Observer Mission satellites will be deployed into a Sun Synchronous orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This Starlink launch appears now to precede SpX-25. No date/time change to this launch.Quote from: Alexphysics on 06/25/2022 09:53 pmQuote from: crandles57 on 06/25/2022 08:45 pmBen Cooper has now (25 June version) reversed this order putting 4-21 first. No 7th just "July TBA" so on the order logic and what looks like a deliberate change, it is probably going to be later than 7th. (On 8th it would only be ~5.5 hours later than 4-21 which might be a bit close?)Yeah I believe it's been delayed again. I don't know why but the dates are changing wildly it seems. I'll try to keep an ear on what's the outlook if it is not published elsewhere before.
Quote from: crandles57 on 06/25/2022 08:45 pmBen Cooper has now (25 June version) reversed this order putting 4-21 first. No 7th just "July TBA" so on the order logic and what looks like a deliberate change, it is probably going to be later than 7th. (On 8th it would only be ~5.5 hours later than 4-21 which might be a bit close?)Yeah I believe it's been delayed again. I don't know why but the dates are changing wildly it seems. I'll try to keep an ear on what's the outlook if it is not published elsewhere before.
Ben Cooper has now (25 June version) reversed this order putting 4-21 first. No 7th just "July TBA" so on the order logic and what looks like a deliberate change, it is probably going to be later than 7th. (On 8th it would only be ~5.5 hours later than 4-21 which might be a bit close?)
I think that this NGA notice is for this launch. It's not the right date and time for SpaceX's SES-22.Edit: I've since received an NGA notice for SES-22.
...said Capt. Carmen J. Riazzi, one of the MMO program managers who worked on two coming missions — EZIO on SBIRS GEO-6 and BLAZE, flying on the USSF 62.
JAN 9, 2024LAUNCH READINESS DATELaunch Readiness Date (LRD) - The Final Commit-to-Launch Poll is conducted approximately five minutes before launch to confirm readiness to launch. A "Go" statement is required from all parties polled to enter into terminal count. Mandatory launch constraints cannot be waived after the start of terminal launch countdown.
Quote from: Clavin on 06/26/2022 03:38 pmLooking Good [L-3 weather forecast]SES-22 launch appears to have a 2-hour, 10 minutes launch window: 21:03 to 23:13 UTC.
Looking Good [L-3 weather forecast]
Quote from: Joey Roulette tweetNASA/SpaceX now targeting July 14 for this mission after replacing Dragon components that could’ve been degraded by the hydrazine vapor, NASA says. SpaceX also replaced the spacecraft’s parachutes for deeper inspection. [June 28]
NASA/SpaceX now targeting July 14 for this mission after replacing Dragon components that could’ve been degraded by the hydrazine vapor, NASA says. SpaceX also replaced the spacecraft’s parachutes for deeper inspection. [June 28]
NASA, SpaceX Target New Launch Date for Commercial Resupply MissionHeidi Lavelle Posted on June 28, 2022NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than Wednesday, July 14, for launch of the CRS-25 commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. <snip>https://blogs.nasa.gov/crs-25/2022/06/28/nasa-spacex-target-new-launch-date-for-commercial-resupply-mission/
Launch Photography Viewing GuideQuoteA Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on July 14 at the earliest, around 8:30-9pm EDT of that day. [June 28 update]= July 15 ~00:30 to 01:00 UTC
A Falcon 9 from pad 39A will launch the CRS-25 resupply mission to the ISS on July 14 at the earliest, around 8:30-9pm EDT of that day. [June 28 update]
Quote from: Gav Cornell tweetsA Shortfall of Gravitas droneship and Doug should get underway from Port Canaveral this afternoon for the SES-22 mission - NET June 29th.Departure! ASOG departs for SES-22. [June 24]
A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship and Doug should get underway from Port Canaveral this afternoon for the SES-22 mission - NET June 29th.Departure! ASOG departs for SES-22. [June 24]
We already knew there would be 7 payloads on this flight, including YAM 4-QUEYSSAT already announced.With recent Virgin Orbit tweets we have them all :- STP S-28-1 :YAM 4-QUEYSSATRECURVE SLINGSHOT 1NACHOS 2MISR B- ELANA 39 :GPX 2CTIM FD
https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1541872682161131521Quote from: Irene Klotz tweetIn related news, ULA CEO Tory Bruno tells Aviation Week Vulcan's first flight can be pushed until early '23 if customer, Astrobotic, needs more time to finish work on its Peregrine lunar lander. As a backup, Ulalaunch is preparing a dummy payload for Vulcan-Centaur 1. [June 28]
In related news, ULA CEO Tory Bruno tells Aviation Week Vulcan's first flight can be pushed until early '23 if customer, Astrobotic, needs more time to finish work on its Peregrine lunar lander. As a backup, Ulalaunch is preparing a dummy payload for Vulcan-Centaur 1. [June 28]
Space Force acquisition chief to meet with ULA and Blue Origin, expects Vulcan to launch in December [dated Jun. 28]Quote from: SpaceNewsU.S. Space Force acquisition executive Frank Calvelli this week will visit United Launch Alliance’s factory in Decatur, Alabama, and get an update on the company’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket, a vehicle that the U.S. military has invested in and expects to use to launch national security satellites.<snip>ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno has said the two flight engines needed for Vulcan’s first flight will be delivered this summer and Vulcan should be ready to fly before the end of the year.Calvelli said he expects Vulcan’s first launch in December. “That’s what I’ve been told.”
U.S. Space Force acquisition executive Frank Calvelli this week will visit United Launch Alliance’s factory in Decatur, Alabama, and get an update on the company’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket, a vehicle that the U.S. military has invested in and expects to use to launch national security satellites.<snip>ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno has said the two flight engines needed for Vulcan’s first flight will be delivered this summer and Vulcan should be ready to fly before the end of the year.Calvelli said he expects Vulcan’s first launch in December. “That’s what I’ve been told.”
