SatNews

Featured

DIU + USSF to leverage commercial industry for TacRS

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is exploring the ability of commercial providers to rapidly deliver both launch and on-orbit operations infrastructure. The USSF’s Space Systems Command‘s (SSC) Space Safari Program Office is partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on the next Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission, called VICTUS HAZE, to identify and build-out commercial capabilities to further enable the TacRS program. TacRS focuses on all aspects of the national security imperative to deliver on-orbit capabilities to the joint force with speed and agility.

VICTUS HAZE is related to VICTUS NOX and is a current, Space Safari TacRS mission that is expected to launch later this year. VICTUS NOX is leading the Department of Defense’s ability to launch and establish on-orbit operations in days rather than the months and years it typically takes.

Firefly’s Alpha rocket for the Space Force’s VICTUS NOX mission stands on the launchpad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Photo is courtesy of Firefly Aerospace.

The VICTUS NOX mission informed the VICTUS HAZE goals, which focus on end-to-end execution using commercial capabilities. Space Safari is leveraging commercial solutions that are quickly modifiable and will further reduce timelines, normalize the TacRS Concept of Operations, and increase the range of orbits that can be reached on short notice.

The program includes the logistics, ground segment, launch service, on-orbit operations, and spacecraft bus; which is the main body and structural component of a satellite or spacecraft that holds the payload and all scientific instruments.

DIU remains partnered with SSC on several projects, including; Modularity for Space Systems, Readily Accessible Propellant in Diverse Orbits, Hybrid Space Architecture, and Responsive Launch, among others. However, this is the first partnership between the Space Safari Office and DIU.

Established in January of 2021, Space Safari is an acquisition program office responsible for responding to high-priority, urgent space needs by rapidly acquiring, integrating, and executing missions supporting USSPACECOM requirements and other combatant commander needs. By working with DIU, Space Safari has expanded its reach by accessing the joint force’s end users as well as DIU’s network of commercial and industry partners.

DIU posted its Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) for TacRS in August of 2023 and plans to award contracts Fall of 2023.

“It is critical that we tap into and leverage commercially developed capabilities – ones that we can rapidly field to execute the VICTUS HAZE mission and then be able to count on for future TacRS operational needs. Our partnership with DIU provides the right ecosystem, expertise, and mission focus to execute the VICTUS HAZE mission and establish a robust partnership with commercial providers.” — Maj. Jason Altenhofen, Deputy for the Space Safari Program Office, SSC

“The number and complexity of adversary threats in space is constantly growing. To rapidly respond to those threats, we need to deliver the most advanced TacRS capabilities the U.S. has to offer. VICTUS HAZE will help provide the advantage we need to assess the threats and continue our ability to freely maneuver in space.” — Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, Materiel Leader for Space Safari, SSC

“We started a Small Responsive Launch program in 2017 with SSC to leverage low-cost, high-cadence launch to quickly put small payloads into low Earth orbit, and to deliver a payload to a specific address,. TacRS is taking this to the next level, tapping into the ability for the commercial space industry to provide risk reduction for dynamic space systems to conduct their missions while demonstrating a contingency response capable of inspecting and characterizing a threat on urgent operational timelines.” — Steven Butow, Director of the Space Portfolio, DIU

“Facing the challenge of rapidly connecting space vehicles, specialized payloads, launch services, and ground systems – DIU is perfectly suited to support the acquisition of these transformational technologies and ensure warfighter needs are met.” — U.S. Space Force Maj. David “Merlin” Ryan, Program Manager, TacRS, SSC

SpaceX’s Saturday Starlink satellites launch

On Saturday, August 26 at 9:05 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean shown below.

This was the third flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched ESA Euclid, Ax-2, and now one Starlink mission.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 launches to International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov onboard, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky

NASA released the following announcement: An international crew of four representing four countries is in orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 3:27 a.m. EDT Saturday, Aug. 26, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agency’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh commercial crew rotation mission for NASA.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, for a science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.

“Crew-7 is a shining example of the power of both American ingenuity and what we can accomplish when we work together,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Aboard station, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, all while benefiting humanity on Earth. By partnering with countries around the world, NASA is engaging the best scientific minds to enable our bold missions, and it’s clear that we can do more – and we can learn more – when we work together.”

SpaceX launches Endurance, the Dragon spacecraft that is carrying the astrunauts to the ISS. Photo courtesy SpaceX website

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Named Endurance, the Dragon spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at 8:39 a.m. Sunday, August 27. NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website will provide live coverage of docking and hatch opening. NASA also will cover the welcome remarks by crew aboard the orbital outpost at 11:30 a.m.

NASA app website

Crew-7 will join the space station’s Expedition 69 crew of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, and Frank Rubio, as well as UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Andrey Fedyaev. For a short time, the number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 until Crew-6 members Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev return to Earth a few days later.

Crew-7 will conduct new scientific research to benefit humanity on Earth and prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Experiments include the collection of microbial samples from the exterior of the space station, the first study of human response to different spaceflight durations, and an investigation of the physiological aspects of astronauts’ sleep. These are just some of the science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during their mission.

“The International Space Station is an incredible science and technology platform that requires people from all around the world to maintain and maximize its benefits to people on Earth,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “It’s great seeing Crew-7 launch with four crew members representing four countries who will live and work on humanity’s home in space as we continue the nearly 23 years of a continuous human presence aboard the microgravity laboratory.”

The Crew-7 mission enables NASA to maximize use of the space station, where astronauts testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted aboard the space station provides benefits for people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis missions.

Photo from SpaceX

Meet Crew-7

This is Moghbeli’s first trip into space since her selection as a NASA astronaut in 2017. The New York native earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering with information technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, and a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Moghbeli, a helicopter and Marine Corps test pilot, has more than 150 combat missions and 2,000 hours of flight time in over 25 different aircraft. She also is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. As mission commander, she is responsible for all phases of flight, from launch to re-entry. She will serve as an Expedition 69/70 flight engineer aboard the station. Follow @astrojaws on X.

Mogensen was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009 and became the first Danish citizen in space after launching aboard a Soyuz for a 10-day mission to the space station in 2015. Mogensen is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He completed undergraduate studies and received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London in England before gaining his doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Mogensen has since served as a crew member for NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations undersea missions 17 and 19. Mogensen was the European astronaut liaison officer at NASA Johnson from 2016 to 2022, working as a capsule communicator for astronauts aboard the station and as ground support for spacewalks. As the pilot on Crew-7, he is responsible for spacecraft systems and performance aboard the station, he will serve as an Expedition 69 flight engineer and Expedition 70 commander. Follow @astro_andreas on X.

Furukawa is making his second trip to space, having spent 165 days aboard the space station as part of Expeditions 28 and 29 in 2011. Furukawa is from Kanagawa, Japan, and was selected as a JAXA astronaut in 1999. He is a physician and received his medical degree from the University of Tokyo, and later a doctorate in medical science from the same university. Furukawa served as a crew member on the 13th NEEMO mission, and later, was appointed head of JAXA’s Space Biomedical Research Group. Aboard the station, he will become a flight engineer for Expedition 69/70. Follow @astro_satoshi on X.

Borisov is making his first trip to space and will serve as a mission specialist, working to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and entry phases of flight. He entered the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps as a test cosmonaut candidate in 2018 and will serve as a flight engineer for Expedition 69/70.

More info about NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission and Commercial Crew Program

UPDATE #2: SpaceX schedules a ‘double header’ with Crew-7 and Starlink launches on Saturday

UPDATE #2: On Thursday night Kennedy Space Center, NASA and SpaceX teams stood down from launching three astronauts and a cosmonaut to the International Space Station. Then less than 18 hours later SpaceX teams will attempt a launch ‘doubleheader’ to include the Falcon 9 Starlink from nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NASA on Friday morning said in a blog post that “after performing an extra data review, teams decided to take additional time to reconfirm required factors of safety and operational margin on one of the Dragon spacecraft’s environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) components.“

“All ECLSS valves on the Crew-7 and Crew-6 Dragon spacecraft are performing normally, and performed as expected in all preflight testing,” the blog post said. “The new launch date provides teams additional time to complete the analysis and thoroughly review the necessary data ahead of launch.”

The latest weather report from the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron projected conditions around the spaceport to be 95% “go” for a Saturday liftoff. Only a slight chance of cumulus clouds was listed as a concern.

Update #1: (Thursday, August 24) At Kennedy Space Center, NASA and SpaceX teams stood down from a first launch attempt of the Crew-7 mission late Thursday night. No reason for the scrub was immediately provided. The next attempt is tentatively set for 3:27 a.m. Saturday.

The four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission are seated inside the SpaceX Dragon during a training session at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
Credits: SpaceX

SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Friday, August 25 for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s seventh operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-7) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 3:50 a.m. ET (7:50 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Saturday, August 26 at 3:27 a.m. ET (7:27 UTC).

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew NASA’s Crew-3 and Crew-5 missions to and from the space station.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct science and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

UPDATE: Wednesday SpaceX Florida Starlink launch scrubbed again as Crew-7 readies for launch to ISS

Launch of SpaceX Starlink 6-10 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, August 11. Courtesy of SpaceX
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2023-08-22-at-7.46.49-PM.png

UPDATE #1: Update: (Wednesday, August 23) SpaceX teams at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have rescheduled the next Falcon 9 Starlink mission originally slated to fly Wednesday night to no earlier than Friday, August 25, during a window from 9:13 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. EDT as indicated by updated Space Force launch weather forecasts.

The company has not confirmed the existence of the mission or provided any reason for rescheduling, but at nearby Kennedy Space Center, teams are readying for the launch of NASA’s Crew-7 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 slated for liftoff at 3:49 a.m., Friday, August 25.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2023-08-22-at-11.23.50-AM-1.png
Earlier this week: SpaceX’s successful launch of 21 Starlinks earlier on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

(Tuesday, August 22): SpaceX reschedules Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral to Wednesday. Late Tuesday afternoon, August 22, according to new federal filings, SpaceX teams have rescheduled the liftoff of the company’s next Falcon 9 Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to Wednesday, August 23.

If schedules hold, this would become the Space Coast’s 43rd launch this year.

The launch is set to occur during a four-hour launch window from 8:47 p.m. EDT until 12:46 a.m. EDT.

Space Force forecasters projected the weather conditions to be 75% chance of “go” favorable conditions around the Cape.

Rocket Lab launches their 40th Electron mission + successfully flies a reused Rutherford engine

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully launched their 40th dedicated Electron mission for Capella Space (Capella) — this mission demonstrated several significant milestones for Rocket Lab’s reusability program, including an ocean splashdown of the Electron rocket’s first stage and the successful flight of a previously flown Rutherford engine.

Artistic rendition of Capella Space’s Acadia smallsat on-orbit, courtesy of the company.

The ‘We Love The Nightlife’ mission lifted off on August 24th at 11:45 a.m., NZST, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula and deployed Capella’s nexgen Acadia satellite for its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation to a 640 km. circular LEO.

As a recovery mission, Electron’s first stage returned to Earth under a parachute after launch and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean several hundred kilometers down range from Launch Complex 1. Rocket Lab’s marine recovery vessel extracted the stage from the ocean and transported it back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for analysis and testing to inform future recovery efforts.

In addition to recovering the booster, Rocket Lab launched a pre-flown, 3D printed, Rutherford engine for the first time. The engine previously flew on the first stage of the ‘There and Back Again’ mission, launched in May of 2022. The engine performed on par with new Rutherford engines, completing a successful first stage burn.

The mission follows on from Rocket Lab’s two previous launches for Capella, including the “Stronger Together” mission launched in March of 2023 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, and the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical” mission in August of 2020 from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, which deployed the first satellite in Capella’s SAR constellation. ‘We Love the Nightlife’ was the first of four, new, dedicated launches on Electron for Capella, announced in February of 2023, to deploy Capella’s nexgen Acadia satellites.

Capella’s existing satellite constellation delivers the highest quality and resolution SAR imagery commercially available, with the ability to penetrate all weather conditions and capture clear imagery 24-7, day and night, delivered through a fully automated ordering and delivery platform. The next-generation Acadia satellites include several enhancements, including increased bandwidth and power and faster downlink speeds. When combined with Capella’s existing long-dwell imaging capability and extended duty-cycle – which results in more images collected per orbit than other SAR systems – Acadia will continue to set the benchmark within the SAR industry.

“We’ve been a trusted launch partner to Capella since 2020 and we’re delighted to deliver mission success once again. Electron has played a crucial role in helping constellation operators like Capella deploy their spacecraft on time and on target, and we look forward to continuing building out Capella’s constellation with more dedicated launches this year. Congratulations also to our team on delivering 40 Electron launches, completing another booster recovery, and proving Rutherford engines can be flown multiple times. One mission is an enormous achievement in this industry, but 40 is a rare achievement and testament to the relentless drive, innovation and dedication of the Rocket Lab team.” — Peter Beck, CEO, Rocket Lab

OneWeb Technologies awarded USSF contract for commercial satellite p-LEO

OneWeb Technologies has been awarded a Commercial Satellite Communications Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (p-LEO) contract from the U.S. Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), Commercial Space Office (CSO), and Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO) — this 10-year, p-LEO contract has a $900 million dollar ceiling.

This significant achievement solidifies OneWeb Technologies’ position as a trusted government solutions partner and a leading provider of LEO satellite services.

The DoD’s use of commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) bandwidth is managed by SSC’s CSCO. Under the DoD’s acquisition plan, the CSCO ensures the needs of various U.S. military organizations and DoD customers are met by matching them with COMSATCOM bandwidth and services.

OneWeb Technologies is among a limited number of LEO satellite solutions providers selected to receive the p-LEO award contract, and one of only two very small aperture terminal (VSAT) data LEO satellite service providers currently offering live services.

OneWeb Technologies is committed to transforming the communications landscape and enabling connectivity data security, velocity, and surety solutions that meet the evolving needs of government and enterprise users. OneWeb Technologies is also committed to developing and delivering customized solutions that fit its customers’ precise needs. In addition to becoming a prime p-LEO award contractor, OneWeb Technologies is well positioned to collaborate with the many GEO operators that may also be awarded a p-LEO contract.

“This p-LEO opportunity underscores OneWeb Technologies’ COMSATCOM capabilities and recognizes the company’s exceptional technology offering for the U.S. government. Accurate, expeditious information is fundamental for U.S. government decision making, as well as for our friends and allies. OneWeb’s constellation helps get the right information to the right people, at the right time.” — Sue Gordon, Chairperson of the OneWeb Technologies Proxy Board and former U.S. Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence

“OneWeb Technologies aims to simplify satellite communications for enterprise and government users by moving their data in bulk – more rapidly, reliably, and securely. Our solutions make this possible for our customers by harnessing the powerful OneWeb constellation, enhanced through a diverse portfolio of equipment, like-minded partnerships, and services. Our team couldn’t be more excited to support the secure global communications needs of the U.S. Space Force.” — Kevin Steen, CEO of OneWeb Technologies

UPDATE #6: SpaceX: Weather improves and 21 Starlinks sent to orbit

On Tuesday, August 22nd at 2:37 a.m. PT, a SpaceX Falcon 9 was finally able to launch 21 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This was the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. This booster has a flight heritage through the previous launches of Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and now six Starlink missions.

UPDATE #5

UPDATE #5: Due to the effects of Hurricane Hilary in the Pacific Ocean (see above NASA Earth Observatory satellite image) SpaceX is now targeting Tuesday, August 22 at 1:36 a.m. PT (08:36 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

If needed, additional opportunities are available at 2:26 a.m. PT (09:26 UTC) and 2:37 a.m. PT (09:37 UTC). Four backup opportunities are also currently available on Tuesday, August 22 starting at 10:45 p.m. PT (05:42 UTC on August 23) until 2:05 a.m. PT on August 23 (9:05 UTC).

AccuWeather’s storm chaser, Aaron Rigsby, documents the ravages of Hilary. Some communities were inundated with more than 11 inches of rain in less than 48 hours.

This is the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and five 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.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff

UPDATE #4: The anticipated launch of SpaceX is remaining today, Monday, August 21 at 11:04 p.m. PT (6:04 UTC on August 22) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. To date the storm has created massive landslides and an earthquake in Southern California.

FORMERLY #3: SpaceX is targeting Monday, August 21 at 11:04 p.m. PT (6:04 UTC on August 22) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The storm has created massive landslides and an earthquake in Southern California.

On Thursday: The impact of Hurricane Hilary on rocket recovery operations forced four more days of delay. The reusable first stage booster is usually recovered by a barge in an area of the eastern Pacific which is in the path of Hilary.

“Due to Hurricane Hilary impacting recovery operations in the Pacific, we are standing down from tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of Starlink,” SpaceX wrote on X (formerly Twitter) late Thursday. SpaceX recovers its first-stage Falcon 9 boosters by landing them on a drone ship in the Pacific about 8 minutes after launch.

Additionally: A magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in Ventura County’s town of Ojai, California.

If needed, four additional opportunities are available starting at 11:54 p.m. PT (6:54 UTC on August 22) until 2:26 a.m. PT on August 22 (9:26 UTC). Four backup opportunities are also currently available on Tuesday, August 22 starting at 10:42 p.m. PT (5:42 UTC on August 23) until 2:05 a.m. PT on August 23 (9:05 UTC).

This is the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and five 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.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff

PREVIOUSLY #2: SpaceX scrubs scheduled launch due to approaching Hurricane Hilary.

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California — Despite the multiple launch options provided for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, all of those options have been scrubbed ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Hilary.

Tropical Storm Hilary strengthened into a hurricane Thursday, with forecasters warning it could potentially bring devastating rainfall and high winds to Southern California this weekend.

Forecast rainfall totals as of August 21, from the National Weather Service.
Image: Weatherbell.com

“Hilary is forecast by AccuWeather’s hurricane experts to become a major (Category 3) hurricane and peak as a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale while spinning just off the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula this weekend.”

The last tropical storm to impact the state was 84 years ago, according to official records.

Under some forecast scenarios, Tropical Storm Hilary could bring a year’s worth of rain to typically dry locations in just two to three days, which would cause extensive flooding.

The NWS forecast office in Phoenix said the amount of atmospheric water vapor surging into the Southwest ahead of the storm may reach levels “almost never experienced this time of year.”

The National Hurricane Center said Hilary was about 475 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as of 5 p.m. Thursday ET, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. While Hilary is likely to weaken as it travels northward, it could bring heavy rainfall to the southwestern United States, along with large swells and high surf along the coast.

When the launch takes place this is the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and five 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.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff

PREVIOUSLY #1: SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 17 at 1:42 a.m. PT (8:42 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

If needed, two additional opportunities are available at 2:33 a.m. PT (9:33 UTC) and 3:26 a.m. PT (10:26 UTC). Two backup opportunities are also currently available on Friday, August 18 at 12:30 a.m. (7:30 UTC) and 1:20 a.m. PT (8:20 UTC).

Previous successful landing

This is the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and five 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.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to lift

Northrop Grumman to build Tranche 2 Transport Layer-beta data transport satellites

Northrop Grumman will supply 36 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport Layer. Artistic rendition is courtesy of Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected by the Space Development Agency (SDA) to design and build 36 data transport satellites, the first space vehicles in the latest generation of the agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) — the team will now update the company’s Tranche 1 design to add new broadcast and Tactical Communication capabilities to PWSA.

The satellites will integrate with, and expand, the PWSA mesh network, using high-data-capacity optical crosslinks to deliver accessible, near-real time communications to U.S. warfighters and defensive platforms operating around the globe.

The design for this latest iteration, known as Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta (T2TL Beta), builds on the 42 Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) and 14 Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TRK) satellites that SDA previously announced the agency had awarded Northrop Grumman. The T2TL Beta space vehicles add new broadcast and tactical waveforms improving the capabilities of the overall PWSA.

Northrop Grumman announced in April it had completed Critical Design Review (CDR) on its T1TL design in just over a year and in May completed optical interoperability testing. The company is on track to launch its first plane of 21 space vehicles in Q4 2024.

“Creating a Low Earth Orbit communications architecture that meets the needs of the warfighter is complex. With Northrop Grumman’s extensive military satellite communication experience and deep mission understanding, we are helping SDA make its vision a reality.” — Blake Bullock, Vice President, communication systems, Northrop Grumman

Exolaunch to deploy Muon Space constellation smallsats

Exolaunch has signed a multi-launch agreement (MLA) to deploy Muon Space’s first three constellation satellites during SpaceX Transporter missions. Muon Space’s first satellite, MuSat-1, was launched in June via Exolaunch on SpaceX’s Transporter-8 mission from Vandenberg SFB in California.

The successful deployment of MuSat-1 was the first step toward the development of Muon Space’s Climate Constellation, which will use a new generation of sensors to monitor Earth’s climate and ecosystems. MuSat-2 and MuSat-3 are close behind – establishing a regular launch cadence to enable a growing constellation for climate intelligence data.

Photo of MuSat-1, courtesy of Muon Space.

Muon Space selected Exolaunch for that firm’s vast expertise on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and for their rapidly growing flight heritage, which now counts more than 320 launched satellites. Under this MLA, Exolaunch will provide turnkey launch and deployment solutions for Muon Space’s satellites, as well as the CarboNIX smallsat separation system through 2024. With a flight heritage of nearly 70 satellites deployed across 14 missions, and a patented, low-shock design, CarboNIX has become the choice for Exolaunch customers launching smallsats on Falcon 9 and has helped Exolaunch to secure multiple, new, launch agreements.

Transporter-8’s success marked the first milestone in this MLA and represented a significant achievement for the companies, with Muon Space celebrating their first satellite on-orbit and Exolaunch celebrating their 300th satellite deployed on the mission.

“The experience and reliability of the Exolaunch team ensured an issue-free first launch campaign, allowing our team at Muon Space to focus on our core mission objectives instead of launch logistics and separation systems. We look forward to continued collaboration with Exolaunch and SpaceX to launch and deploying our climate data monitoring constellation.” — Reuben Rohrschneider, Chief Mission Architect and Co-Founder, Muon Space

“We are proud and grateful that Muon Space entrusted Exolaunch with separation services for these critical constellation-building launches. It’s a pleasure to work with a team of such distinguished space industry veterans, and we are honored to help them turn their vision into a ‘separation confirmed’. Muon Space can fully rely on regular and on-schedule launches thanks to the SpaceX’s Transporter program when planning their ambitious missions and tackling global challenges from space.” — Jeanne Allarie, VP Launch, Exolaunch