SpaceX is targeting Friday, December 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 1:55 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 3:04 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available Saturday, December 14 starting at 10:48 a.m. PT.
1226-EX-CN-2024QuoteThe overall goal of the AEPEX mission, ...The satellite will be launched as a secondary payload aboard Firefly Elytra-1, from Vandenberg AFB no earlier than May 1, 2025
The overall goal of the AEPEX mission, ...The satellite will be launched as a secondary payload aboard Firefly Elytra-1, from Vandenberg AFB no earlier than May 1, 2025
QuoteLockheed Martin’s Newest Technology Demo for Space Connectivity Is Ready for LaunchDecember 9, 2024Lockheed Martin’s newest technology demonstration, called the Tactical Satellite (TacSat), is complete and ready for launch in 2025 aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.TacSat is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spacecraft with a mission to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit. The satellite will participate in exercises next year that highlight cross-domain kill-web connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions.[...]What’s On Board?In an increasingly complex battlespace, infrared sensing can be a decisive edge providing more complete situational awareness for allied forces.TacSat will host a proven Lockheed Martin infrared sensor on board that brings previously developed technology to space for the first time. This sensor produces high quality imagery and it can interface with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems to provide joint forces with a comprehensive view of threats.The satellite will also feature Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL® payload on orbit. This provides cellular-like networking for military space assets, making satellite constellations more resilient. It also helps enable seamless connectivity with tools in the air, at sea and on land.The power of proliferated connection and influx of actionable data this technology brings will strengthen our customers’ ability to stay ahead of threats on the horizon.[...]Having successfully completed rigorous environmental testing earlier this summer, TacSat has completed its final checkouts at Lockheed Martin’s Littleton, Colorado, campus. Next up on its road to launch, the satellite will ship out to its launch site in California for final processing ahead of liftoff in 2025.
Lockheed Martin’s Newest Technology Demo for Space Connectivity Is Ready for LaunchDecember 9, 2024Lockheed Martin’s newest technology demonstration, called the Tactical Satellite (TacSat), is complete and ready for launch in 2025 aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.TacSat is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spacecraft with a mission to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit. The satellite will participate in exercises next year that highlight cross-domain kill-web connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions.[...]What’s On Board?In an increasingly complex battlespace, infrared sensing can be a decisive edge providing more complete situational awareness for allied forces.TacSat will host a proven Lockheed Martin infrared sensor on board that brings previously developed technology to space for the first time. This sensor produces high quality imagery and it can interface with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems to provide joint forces with a comprehensive view of threats.The satellite will also feature Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL® payload on orbit. This provides cellular-like networking for military space assets, making satellite constellations more resilient. It also helps enable seamless connectivity with tools in the air, at sea and on land.The power of proliferated connection and influx of actionable data this technology brings will strengthen our customers’ ability to stay ahead of threats on the horizon.[...]Having successfully completed rigorous environmental testing earlier this summer, TacSat has completed its final checkouts at Lockheed Martin’s Littleton, Colorado, campus. Next up on its road to launch, the satellite will ship out to its launch site in California for final processing ahead of liftoff in 2025.
On Friday, December 13 at 1:55 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
https://twitter.com/kyle_LTS/status/1867737260684456112QuoteWe had a successful liftoff at 8pm.
We had a successful liftoff at 8pm.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1867726806629200242QuoteLess than one hour until Falcon 9 launches RRT-1 to orbit from Florida. Teams are keeping an eye on weather, which is 50% favorable for liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=rrt-1Launch site forecast has degraded.One minute delay to 01:05 UTC = 8:05 pm ESTNextSpaceflight; updated December 14:Launch 01:05 UTChttps://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=rrt-1QuoteSpaceX is targeting Friday, December 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of the RRT-1 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:05 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7:59 p.m. ET.
Less than one hour until Falcon 9 launches RRT-1 to orbit from Florida. Teams are keeping an eye on weather, which is 50% favorable for liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=rrt-1
SpaceX is targeting Friday, December 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of the RRT-1 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 8:05 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7:59 p.m. ET.
[GPS launch:] SCRUBThe SpaceX launch webcast has been delayed to tomorrow.https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=rrt-1QuoteIf needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7:59 p.m. ET.= 15 December 00:59 UTCHowever, I note that the booster recovery weather risk is "High". And, the launch site forecast is worse. Maybe it will be a circa ~48 hours delay?
If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7:59 p.m. ET.
GPS III-10Launch TimeMon Dec 16, 2024 00:55 GMT
O3b mPOWER 7 & 8Launch TimeMon Dec 16, 2024 20:58 GMT
NROL-149Launch TimeTue Dec 17, 2024 09:20 GMT
Bandwagon-2Launch TimeFri Dec 20, 2024 11:53 GMT
The Next-Gen OPIR program involves two types of satellites: geosynchronous spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin and polar-orbiting satellites developed by Northrop Grumman. The two satellites from Northrop Grumman will be placed in highly elliptical orbits, which give them a broader view of the Northern Hemisphere, where potential missile threats from adversaries are most likely to originate. The Northern Hemisphere is the shortest and most direct route for missiles targeting the U.S., making it the most challenging area to monitor.First launch targeted for 2028The first of Northrop Grumman’s satellites is slated for launch in 2028. The satellites will rely on infrared sensors to identify potential missile launches. Once a threat is detected, the satellite’s communication system will immediately relay data to ground-based stations for analysis and response.
From Ben Cooper, the launch has slipped by another day:QuoteThe next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the RRT-1 mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on December 16 at 7:52 p.m. EST.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the RRT-1 mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on December 16 at 7:52 p.m. EST.
Tweak in launch window from Ben Cooper:QuoteA Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES from pad 39A on December 17 at 3:59-5:26 p.m. EST.
A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES from pad 39A on December 17 at 3:59-5:26 p.m. EST.
Launched:№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2024133 - December 13 - Starlink group 11-2 (x9) flight 216 [V2 Mini L130], Starlink (x13) [V2 Mini D2C L29] - Falcon 9-409 (B1082.9 OCISLY) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 21:55:40Changes on December 14th
SpaceX is targeting Friday, December 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 11:28 a.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 3:04 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available Saturday, December 14 starting at 10:48 a.m. PT.
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, December 4 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The four-hour launch window opens at 4:06 p.m. PT. If needed, an additional launch opportunity is available on Thursday, December 5.
Where have you seen there were 13 DTC sats among the 22 Starlink of this launch, please ?
SpaceX is targeting Monday, December 16 for a Falcon 9 launch of the RRT-1 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 7:51 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, December 17 starting at 7:47 p.m. ET.
UPDATED DECEMBER 15, 2024...FALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the RRT-1 mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on December 16 at 7:52 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES from pad 39A on December 17 at 3:59-5:26 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the Astranis MicroGEO mission from pad 40 on December at 10:38 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite for the UAE on December at 8:26 p.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander to the moon on mid-January.
On Monday, December 16 at 7:52 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the RRT-1 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.This was the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-9 and two Starlink missions.
Jonathan McDowell @planet4589LAUNCH at 0052 UTC Dec 17 of a Falcon 9 with the secret RRT-1 payload
Sandra Erwin @Sandra_I_Erwin🚀U.S. Space Force ‘Rapid Response Trailblazer’ RRT-1 mission launched tonight by SpaceX was a GPS III satellite pulled from storage & fast-tracked. "We're sending a message that we can be responsive" More details here about the secretive mission:https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-u-s-space-force-rapid-response-gps-mission/
The payload, GPS III SV-07, is the seventh satellite of the GPS III constellation, built by Lockheed Martin. The satellite had been previously slated for a late 2025 launch aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket but was reassigned to a SpaceX Falcon 9 this summer. “We decided to pull SV-07 out of storage and try to get it to the launch pad as quickly as possible,” Col. James Horne, senior materiel leader for launch execution at the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, told SpaceNews. “It’s our way of demonstrating that we can be responsive to operator needs with NSSL-class missions.” ...The decision to accelerate the launch of SV-07 was made in mid-2024 when uncertainty around the Vulcan rocket’s readiness led Space Force leaders to reassess their options. Horne emphasized that this move was less about Vulcan delays and more about testing the boundaries of the NSSL program’s flexibility. “This is a way for us to demonstrate to adversaries that we can be responsive,” he said.ULA’s Vulcan rocket is still awaiting official certification to launch NSSL missions. The vehicle was originally assigned three GPS III launches — SV-07, SV-08 and SV-09 — and SpaceX got SV-10. Horne said the satellites have been remanifested. Because SV-07 was reassigned to SpaceX, ULA will get to launch SV-10.
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 17 at 5:19 a.m. PT for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-149 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Wednesday, December 18 starting at 1:07 a.m. PT.A live webcast of this mission will begin about ten minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.This is the 22nd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, SDA-0B, Iridium OneWeb, Transporter-7, NROL-113, NROL-167, and 14 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES O3b mPOWER mission to medium Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The one-hour 27-minute launch window opens at 3:59 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Tuesday, December 17 with the same window.A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.This will be the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
O3b mPOWER 7 & 8Launch TimeTue Dec 17, 2024 20:59 GMT...Just Read the InstructionsB1090Flight #1
Mission Name: Owl The Way UpRocket: ElectronLaunch Date: 20 December 2024 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Launch Time: 03:00 - 04:15 am NZTPayload: Strix
