LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A unique partnership with Norway and the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command will extend satellite communications for U.S. polar forces and save taxpayers millions of dollars. SSC’s Enhanced Polar Systems-Recapitalization (EPS-R) program successfully completed the ready-to-ship review at the end of September for the first of two payloads to begin the integration process onto Space Norway’s space vehicles. EPS-R is an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) MILSATCOM system designed to extend EPS (legacy) services into the early/mid-2030s. Its mission serves to provide 24/7 protected satellite communications for U.S. polar forces operating in the Arctic region. “Right now, our legacy system EPS has a 10-year lifespan, and that’s currently on orbit,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Philichi, EPS-R Project Officer responsible for shipping at Space Systems Command. “The EPS-R fills the gap between the EPS and the ESS (Evolved Strategic Satcom), which is scheduled to launch in approximately 2033. Rather than create a separate program, this allows us to leverage all the documents, framework and team members to develop and launch two additional payloads to bridge the gap before ESS.” Using a host space vehicle like Space Norway means it is imperative the SSC team meets its scheduled deadlines to coordinate with Space Norway, Philichi said. The second payload is expected to hit its ready-to-ship milestone just before Thanksgiving.<snip>Hosting the EPS-R payload on the Norwegian Artic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) is projected to save the USSF more than $900 million dollars, and deliver Satellite Communication capability to the polar region three years faster than a traditional satellite acquisition program. “Norway is a key U.S. ally in the polar region, and because of technology mitigation, the technical risk is low for integrating a National Security Space payload on their Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM),” Leach noted. By January 2022, EPS-R plans to have both of its Northrop Grumman-built payloads complete. The program is on track for a dual launch with Space Norway scheduled for early 2023.
ELaNa 41Mission: Astra Space Inc., VCLS Demo-25 CubeSat Missions scheduled to be deployed BAMA-1 - University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama CURIE - University of California, Berkeley INCA - New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico QubeSat - University of California, Berkeley R5-S1 - NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Targeted Date: March 1, 2022Mission: GOES-TDescription:The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) will provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s weather, oceans and environment, real-time mapping of total lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.
And an Atlas 5 with four solids will launch the GOES-T weather satellite for NASA & NOAA on March 1 at 4:38pm EST. The launch windows stretches two hours. Sunset is 6:22pm.
Revision of Starlink 4-3 launch time on December 1, from SFN Launch Schedule, dated November 20:23:20 UTC
Atlas V to Launch STP-3A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket will launch the Space Test Program (STP)-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.Launch date: Dec. 5, 2021Launch window: 4:04 - 6:04 a.m. EST (0904-1104 UTC)Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go STP-3!
Edited to add quote from [YT video] re launch time:Quote from: Omar BaezWe only have one opportunity to do this per day and it's a one second instantaneous window. ... Tomorrow's scheduled time for liftoff is 10:21:02 [pm PST]. If, by chance, we have to delay another day, it goes earlier by about a minute.
We only have one opportunity to do this per day and it's a one second instantaneous window. ... Tomorrow's scheduled time for liftoff is 10:21:02 [pm PST]. If, by chance, we have to delay another day, it goes earlier by about a minute.
Quote from: gongora on 11/23/2021 06:07 pmLooks like Astra has an upcoming launch from Florida in the next ~6 months.1903-EX-ST-2021This is very likely the VCLS Demo-2A mission, which they hope to launch by the end of the year.From Stephen Clark's article on the LV0007 launch (bolds mine):Astra reaches orbit for first time, clearing way for commercial launches [dated Nov. 22]QuoteAstra’s next rocket, LV0008, is “well on its way to being integrated,” Lyon said Monday. Officials said details about the LV0008 launch would be announced soon.Scott Higginbotham, head of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative at Kennedy Space Center, said Friday that the space agency is the sole customer for the next Astra launch. The mission is part of NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services, or VCLS, program, which awarded Astra a $3.9 million contract last year for a commercial CubeSat launch.Astra’s first launch for NASA could happen before the end of the year, according to Higginbotham.NASA and Astra officials declined to identify the launch site for the VCLS demonstration mission, but multiple sources said the mission is currently slated to fly from pad 46, a commercial launch complex operated by Space Florida at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Looks like Astra has an upcoming launch from Florida in the next ~6 months.1903-EX-ST-2021
Astra’s next rocket, LV0008, is “well on its way to being integrated,” Lyon said Monday. Officials said details about the LV0008 launch would be announced soon.Scott Higginbotham, head of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative at Kennedy Space Center, said Friday that the space agency is the sole customer for the next Astra launch. The mission is part of NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services, or VCLS, program, which awarded Astra a $3.9 million contract last year for a commercial CubeSat launch.Astra’s first launch for NASA could happen before the end of the year, according to Higginbotham.NASA and Astra officials declined to identify the launch site for the VCLS demonstration mission, but multiple sources said the mission is currently slated to fly from pad 46, a commercial launch complex operated by Space Florida at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
William Harwood @cbs_spacenewsF9/DART: LIFTOFF! At 1:21:02am EST (0621 UTC)
Quote from: Fmedici on 11/24/2021 07:30 amQuote from: russianhalo117 on 11/24/2021 05:28 amQuote from: Ken the Bin on 11/24/2021 04:18 amThis notice from PSCA doesn't say whether it is Astra, but it is the pad that they use.Quote from: PSCAAlaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport ComplexAlaska Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on December 15th through December 21st, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.It should be for ABL as they are the next publicly scheduled user for that clean pad.2021Late - L2 Aerospace 1, L2 Aerospace 2 - RS1 (ABL space system) [first flight] - Kodiak LP-3BIn ABL's STA application they talk about LP-3CLike SpaceX in Florida the pads within LP-3 complex are interchangeable. It could also be for an unknown defense launch but drop zones at quick glance does not match any known missiles for tests.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 11/24/2021 05:28 amQuote from: Ken the Bin on 11/24/2021 04:18 amThis notice from PSCA doesn't say whether it is Astra, but it is the pad that they use.Quote from: PSCAAlaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport ComplexAlaska Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on December 15th through December 21st, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.It should be for ABL as they are the next publicly scheduled user for that clean pad.2021Late - L2 Aerospace 1, L2 Aerospace 2 - RS1 (ABL space system) [first flight] - Kodiak LP-3BIn ABL's STA application they talk about LP-3C
Quote from: Ken the Bin on 11/24/2021 04:18 amThis notice from PSCA doesn't say whether it is Astra, but it is the pad that they use.Quote from: PSCAAlaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport ComplexAlaska Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on December 15th through December 21st, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.It should be for ABL as they are the next publicly scheduled user for that clean pad.2021Late - L2 Aerospace 1, L2 Aerospace 2 - RS1 (ABL space system) [first flight] - Kodiak LP-3B
This notice from PSCA doesn't say whether it is Astra, but it is the pad that they use.Quote from: PSCAAlaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport ComplexAlaska Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on December 15th through December 21st, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.
Alaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport ComplexAlaska Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on December 15th through December 21st, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.
Late - USSF-67, LDPE-3 - Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
Transporter 3Launch TimeNET Jan 10, 2022
QuoteLate - USSF-67, LDPE-3 - Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39AIt's been confirmed recently that this is a FH launch.Also, what's the source/reasoning for LDPE-3 flying on this mission?
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFSC/SMCSMSC/LDPE_RFI/listing.htmlQuoteThere are two distinct efforts for which the LDPE program office is soliciting information. The first effort will consist of one ESPA as described above and it needs to be able to meet the AFSPC-67 4th Qtr FY22 launch date. This ESPA will also be known as "LDPE-3". The second effort consists of 4 ESPAs with the first delivery needed in FY23. These ESPAs will be also known as "LDPE 4-7".GPS IIIF is NET 2026
There are two distinct efforts for which the LDPE program office is soliciting information. The first effort will consist of one ESPA as described above and it needs to be able to meet the AFSPC-67 4th Qtr FY22 launch date. This ESPA will also be known as "LDPE-3". The second effort consists of 4 ESPAs with the first delivery needed in FY23. These ESPAs will be also known as "LDPE 4-7".
one day slip in latest NOTMAR
Two BlackSky sats will hitch a ride on this mission.https://spaceflight.com/sxrs-2-were-taking-blacksky-to-space-again/
SFN Launch Schedule, updated November 29, lists this launch as December TBD.Quote...carrying eight small satellites for the U.S. military’s Space Test Program and two small satellites for the Polish company SatRevolution.
...carrying eight small satellites for the U.S. military’s Space Test Program and two small satellites for the Polish company SatRevolution.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 12/01/2021 03:22 pmTwo BlackSky satellites hitching ride on SpaceX Starlink missionhttps://spaceflightnow.com/2021/11/30/two-blacksky-satellites-hitching-ride-on-spacex-starlink-mission/Noting article lists launch date as NET December 2, and launch time on December 2 at 23:28 UTC.The article is dated November 30, as is the same information in the most recent update of the SFN Launch Schedule.Which time is most current and correct?
Two BlackSky satellites hitching ride on SpaceX Starlink missionhttps://spaceflightnow.com/2021/11/30/two-blacksky-satellites-hitching-ride-on-spacex-starlink-mission/
I'll assume for the moment that this means 46 Starlinks and 2 BlackSky. Could also mean 48 Starlinks and 2 BlackSky?https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1466135013875798019QuoteCelesTrak has pre-launch SupTLEs for the @SpaceX #Starlink Group 4-3 launch set for Dec 2 at 2312 UTC. Deployment of 48 satellites is set to occur 2021-12-03 00:41:43.01 UTC.
CelesTrak has pre-launch SupTLEs for the @SpaceX #Starlink Group 4-3 launch set for Dec 2 at 2312 UTC. Deployment of 48 satellites is set to occur 2021-12-03 00:41:43.01 UTC.
Further edit after the Static Fire: The various sources are now agreeing with TS Kelso: December 2, 23:12 UTC.
https://twitter.com/SLDelta45/status/1466594550705639424QuoteCongrats to SLD 45 & @SpaceX on this evening’s Starlink 4-3 launch. This launch kicks off what is sure to be a busy December, with 5 launches slated to close out the year. Without the dedication from our teammates, this high ops tempo would not be possible! #SetThePaceForSpaceThat could have been phrased a little more clearly, but if I read it as Starlink 4-3 being the first of five launches in December (one of which is ULA) then no pop-up Starlink launches would be in there (which doesn't necessarily mean one couldn't occur).
Congrats to SLD 45 & @SpaceX on this evening’s Starlink 4-3 launch. This launch kicks off what is sure to be a busy December, with 5 launches slated to close out the year. Without the dedication from our teammates, this high ops tempo would not be possible! #SetThePaceForSpace
