SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 2 for Falcon 9’s launch of NROL-87 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on February 3 at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC).Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The U.S. Air Force has divided $739 million in launch contracts between United Launch Alliance and SpaceX for six national security missions slated for 2021-2022. The contracts, awarded under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, were announced Tuesday evening by Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.SpaceX will receive $297 million to launch AFSPC-44, NROL-85, and NROL-87.
https://www.nro.gov/News/News-Articles/Article/2658542/nro-returns-to-virginias-space-coast-with-nrol-111/Quote NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
Presented by Col. Melone at today's [September 7] SPRSA meeting
Mission 1494 from Vandy NET late January with no droneship listed. NROL-87? RTLS?1981-EX-ST-2021
<snip>SFN Launch Schedule, updated January 10.Also, NROL-87 is listed in February, no date.
2022 Launched:№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)February 2 NET Jun 2021/NLT Dec 2021 NET 2022 Feb ~Feb 2 Feb - NROL-87 - Falcon 9-139 140 (1071.1 L? 1063.4) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 20:27:36 16:37 to 21:38 19:07-21:38 20:18(Sun-synchronous orbit satellites: launch at approximately the same time of day year-round)2022 Scheduled:№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)NET February 14 NET Sept 2021 Oct 2021 NET Nov 2021 NET Dec 2021 NET Jan 2022 - Starlink 4-11? 2-3 2-TBD TBD (x52 x51? xTBD) (flight TBD/high-inclination flight 3 polar flight 1?) [v1.5 TBD v2.0 L3 L-TBD] - Falcon 9 (1063.4? 1063.4? 1051.12? S) - Vandenberg SLC-4E(mid-inclination Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)Changes on November 19th, 2020Changes on May 17th, 2021Changes on May 28th, 2021Changes on June 15th, 2021Changes on July 23rd, 2021Changes on July 27th, 2021Changes on August 15th, 2021Changes on September 1st, 2021Changes on September 7th, 2021Changes on September 11th, 2021Changes on October 22nd, 2021Changes on November 5th, 2021Changes on November 24th, 2021Changes on December 10th, 2021Changes on December 14th, 2021Changes on December 15th, 2021Changes on December 19th, 2021Changes on January 7th, 2022Changes on January 10th, 2022Changes on January 19th, 2022Changes on January 22nd, 2022Changes on January 26th, 2022Changes on January 27th, 2022Changes on January 28th, 2022Changes on February 1st, 2022Changes on February 2nd, 2022zubenelgenubi
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pmIn addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883
Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 06:08 amQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pmIn addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
Quote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 03:44 pmBecause for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
Quote from: Josh_from_Canada on 01/17/2022 03:54 pmQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 03:44 pmBecause for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included1845-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (CSG-2?)1811-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1709 FL Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)1981-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1494 CA Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)2038-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)
Quote from: realnouns on 01/17/2022 04:17 pmQuote from: Josh_from_Canada on 01/17/2022 03:54 pmQuote from: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 03:44 pmBecause for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included1845-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (CSG-2?)1811-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1709 FL Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)1981-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1494 CA Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)2038-EX-ST-2021 Mission 1574 FL Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)If Mission 1709 is O3b mPOWER 4-6, then it is an expendable mission. This would support the notion, that NROL-87 is also expendable.
Is Feb 2nd a hard date like DART was or is it a more normal launch where there are frequent windows?
The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
