USSF-124 is a mission being conducted with SSC partners at Missile Defense Agency. Itwill be launched onboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the eastern range into low earth orbit.
Discussion thread for the USSF-124 mission. Awarded on May 26, 2022 under NSSL Phase 2 with a target launch date of within the next two years. USSF-124 is a partnership between the US Space Force (USSF) and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).QuoteUSSF-124 is a mission being conducted with SSC partners at Missile Defense Agency. Itwill be launched onboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the eastern range into low earth orbit. https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/Documents/PRESS%20RELEASES/SSC%20Issues%20Launch%20Task%20Orders%20for%20FY22%20NSS%20Missions.pdf?ver=eR_TvXz3KYJArhCmiTk9TA%3D%3D
Space Systems Command (SSC) ordered eight National Security Space (NSS) launch services under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract today; five to United Launch Alliance (ULA) for GPS III-7, USSF-23, USSF-43, WGS-11+, and USSF-16 using the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle, and three to Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) for USSF-124, USSF-62, and one SDA-Tranche 1 mission using the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
They're not all happening within two years, and Vulcan missions aren't getting moved unless it's delayed a lot more.
USSF-124 is a partnership between the US Space Force (USSF) and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
5SLS Mission Patch:Doesn't give us any information about the payload unfortunatly.
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 08/04/2023 10:52 am5SLS Mission Patch:Doesn't give us any information about the payload unfortunatly.Yes, it does. MDA is a clue
Meanwhile, the Missile Defense Agency plans to launch the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor mission into orbit later this year on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This new sensor will have improved sensitivity to detect and track hypersonic missiles, which have lower heat signatures from their exhaust plumes than larger long-range ballistic missiles, making them more challenging to see with the military's existing missile tracking satellites.
SN Space Development Agency to launch 13 satellites in late JuneQuoteMay 26, 2023<snip>Four L3Harris Tranche 0 satellites were scheduled to launch [on SDA Tranche 0B] but were taken off the manifest due to production delays, [SDA director Derek Tournear] said. The four satellites will fly to orbit on a separate mission planned by the Missile Defense Agency. MDA is preparing to launch two prototypes — one made by L3Harris and the other by Northrop Grumman — for its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS). SDA and MDA are collaborating closely on missile tracking and missile defense architectures, said Tournear. The agencies agreed to deploy L3Harris’ wide field-of-view satellites made for SDA in the same orbit as the HBTSS medium field-of-view missile defense satellites.<snip>MDA has not yet announced a launch date for the HBTSS mission.
May 26, 2023<snip>Four L3Harris Tranche 0 satellites were scheduled to launch [on SDA Tranche 0B] but were taken off the manifest due to production delays, [SDA director Derek Tournear] said. The four satellites will fly to orbit on a separate mission planned by the Missile Defense Agency. MDA is preparing to launch two prototypes — one made by L3Harris and the other by Northrop Grumman — for its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS). SDA and MDA are collaborating closely on missile tracking and missile defense architectures, said Tournear. The agencies agreed to deploy L3Harris’ wide field-of-view satellites made for SDA in the same orbit as the HBTSS medium field-of-view missile defense satellites.<snip>MDA has not yet announced a launch date for the HBTSS mission.
L3Harris exploring supplier partnerships for its satellite businessSeptember 18, 2023[...]Schedule setbacks caused by supplier issues delayed the delivery of four missile-detection tracking satellites L3Harris built for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency. These satellites will be part of a large network of sensors in low Earth orbit known as the Transport Layer. They were projected to ride to orbit along with other SDA Tranche 0 satellites in two recent launches but they were not ready. They are now on track to launch in October on USSF-124 with two Missile Defense Agency infrared sensor satellites.[...]
Scheduled for October according to SpaceNews:QuoteL3Harris exploring supplier partnerships for its satellite businessSeptember 18, 2023[...]Schedule setbacks caused by supplier issues delayed the delivery of four missile-detection tracking satellites L3Harris built for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency. These satellites will be part of a large network of sensors in low Earth orbit known as the Transport Layer. They were projected to ride to orbit along with other SDA Tranche 0 satellites in two recent launches but they were not ready. They are now on track to launch in October on USSF-124 with two Missile Defense Agency infrared sensor satellites.[...]
NextSpaceflight (Updated August 21/22)Launch NET November 2023https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6961
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 09/18/2023 06:15 pmScheduled for October according to SpaceNews:QuoteL3Harris exploring supplier partnerships for its satellite businessSeptember 18, 2023[...]Schedule setbacks caused by supplier issues delayed the delivery of four missile-detection tracking satellites L3Harris built for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency. These satellites will be part of a large network of sensors in low Earth orbit known as the Transport Layer. They were projected to ride to orbit along with other SDA Tranche 0 satellites in two recent launches but they were not ready. They are now on track to launch in October on USSF-124 with two Missile Defense Agency infrared sensor satellites.[...]NextSpaceflight (Updated September 18th)Launch NET October 31sthttps://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6961
I know there's been quite a lot of confusing jumps on the schedule of certain classified missions for SpaceX. This is not just for them but also ULA and such and if you remember it's also been a problem for a while as well (see USSF-44 being delayed 2 years). Not sure what's going on but it doesn't look like military payloads have had the best of luck lately trying to be on schedule. This is in relation with the USSF-124 mission jumping back and forth on nextspaceflight from NET November to NET October 31st, etc. We'll see what happens with that mission - same with USSF-52 and friends.