America’s Newest Reconnaissance Satellite Launched

August 11, 2023Posted inDelta IV Heavy, Space News, United Launch Alliance, US Space Force
A ULA Delta IV Heavy creates a beautiful vapor ring as it climbs through the night sky. Photo by Mark Stone/FMN

By Mark Stone

United Launch Alliance, a private spaceflight contractor, successfully sent a classified government satellite into orbit on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The launch came one day after a delay due to a faulty piece of ground equipment. The mission to deploy the satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office finally lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) Launch Complex 37 at 5:18 AM EDT.

 The mission, NROL-68, carries a crucial national security satellite that will provide vital information from space to America’s government officials, intelligence analysts, and military. The US government says the satellite will also be used to support worldwide humanitarian missions. Even though the exact type and capabilities of the satellite are unknown, some observers believe the launch configuration of the Delta IV rocket suggests an Orion class satellite. Orion spy satellites are the newest class of signal-gathering intelligence satellites and are among the largest in orbit. The main antenna of an Orion-class satellite spans the length of a football field.

SpaceX Lofts 22 More Starlink Satellites and Sets Turnaround Record

August 6, 2023Posted inFalcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink, US Space Force
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster 1078 Lifts Off on Aug. 6 2023. Photo by Charles Boyer for FMN

After a couple of short delays, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 last night from Cape Canaveral, Florida, lofting Starlink 6-8 — twenty-two second-generation Starlink satellites to orbit. The launch was picture-perfect, with the rocket clearly visible for several minutes after liftoff and even well past staging. Thunderstorms well off to the north and east-southeast added to the light show, with dozens of lightning strokes clearly visible but far away enough not to violate any range safety rules.

SpaceX Falcon 9, Intelsat Galaxy 37, August 3, 2023

August 3, 2023Posted inFalcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, US Space Force

(Cape Canaveral Florida) SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying Intelsat’s Galaxy 37 communications satellite at 1:00 am EDT on August 3, 2023, after short delays due to weather in the area. Liftoff was scheduled initially for 12:15 am, but small rain showers on or near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s SLC-40 violated launch criteria, leading to two changes in the planned T-0 time.

NASA Sets New Launch Date For Crew-7 Mission

August 2, 2023Posted inCrewed, Falcon 9, ISS, KSC, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
Crew-5 Lifts Off Carrying Astronauts to the International Space Station on October 5, 2022. Photo by: Charles Boyer

(Kennedy Space Center) NASA and SpaceX announced today that they are targeting Monday, August 21 at 5:23 am EDT to launch the Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station. The launch was initially scheduled for late July but was shifted to no earlier than August 17 in order to allow for additional launch pad processing at SpaceX’s LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.