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SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 11, for Falcon 9’s launch of the USSF-62 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The approximate 10-minute launch window opens at 7:25 a.m. PDT, 14:25 UTC, and 16:25 CEST. If needed, a backup opportunity with the same launch window is available on Friday, April 12. This will be the third launch of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. About the USSF-62 mission: WSF-M (Weather System Follow-on-Microwave) is the next-generation operational environmental satellite system for the Department of Defense (DoD) of the United States. It will replace the microwave wavelength weather forecasting capabilities of the DMSP Satellites. Ball Aerospace was selected in late November 2017 as the prime contractor for 2 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) weather satellites with a passive microwave imaging radiometer instrument. It hosted a government-renewable charged particle (ECP) sensor space weather payload developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The radiometer leverages the Ball-built Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) instrument. The mission will improve weather forecasting over maritime regions by taking global measurements of the atmosphere and ocean surface. After stage separation, the booster of the Falcon 9 rocket will make a flip-maneuver and start a boost-back burn, which will have a duration of about 20 seconds. The booster will then make a landing attempt at LZ-4 (Landing Zone 4) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. So, people around the area should expect a sonic boom short before the landing. Flight direction is to the south of Vandenberg, along the coast of California, and weather permitting, it should be very good visible for a long time. Our Livestreams: YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eemckJ-q Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eN3q7ynk

"The launch, part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, will involve tests for 'operating in new orbital regimes,' Space Systems Command disclosed in a release." #elaranova #NSSL #SSC #SpaceForce #USSF #spaceindustry #spacetech #spacetechnology #commercialspace #militaryspace #nationalsecurity #nationaldefense #nationalsecurityspace

Firefly Aerospace Successfully Launches U.S. Space Force VICTUS NOX Responsive Space Mission with 24-Hour Notice. 🚀 Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced the company successfully launched its Alpha rocket and deployed the VICTUS NOX spacecraft following a 24-hour notice to complete final payload operations and mission preparations. Led by U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command's (SSC) Space Safari Program Office and in close partnership with the Rocket Systems Launch Program, the mission advances the nation's capability to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs during a conflict or in response to a national security threat. The flight began with a nominal countdown and liftoff at 7:28 p.m. PDT on September 14th and progressed seamlessly through each stage of flight, including stage one main engine cutoff (MECO), stage separation, and stage two ignition. Alpha then deployed the Millennium Space Systems satellite at the target destination in low Earth orbit. Firefly also successfully tested an Alpha stage two relight and targeted re-entry. #Firefly #VictusNox #SpaceMission #SpaceApp #Data #SpaceForce #Space #NASA

SpaceX’s Starship is making waves in space exploration. Despite a recent reentry glitch, this mega-rocket aims to revolutionize the industry. With an impressive payload capacity of 100-150 tons, it could launch multiple satellites simultaneously, benefiting the Space Force. However, this advantage won’t last forever. Building specialized payloads is crucial to fully utilize Starship’s capabilities. Beyond satellites, it could transport large objects, serve as an orbital bus, and even move cargo globally. The Pentagon is eyeing Starship as a rapid global cargo mover, potentially filling the role of a C-17 Globemaster, the military’s airlift workhorse. Exciting times lie ahead! 🚀🌌 #SpaceX #Starship Read more here:

New details on the revolutionary Astroscale US in-space refueler for the United States Space Force Astroscale US has been awarded a $25.5 million contract to design and deliver to the United States Space Force (USSF) a satellite to refuel other compatible satellites in space. The launch-ready Astroscale Prototype Servicer for Refueling, or APS-R, will be delivered by 2026.  “The advent of in-air refueling completely changed the equation for the duration and distance of aircraft missions,” said President and Managing Director of Astroscale US, Ron Lopez. “The space industry is on the cusp of a similar fuel-led technological revolution, and I am thrilled that SSC has selected Astroscale US to develop APS-R to bring fuel to its client spacecraft. This innovation in on-orbit servicing will ultimately extend the range and mobility of satellites in orbit, allowing the USSF to do more with their operational assets. APS-R opens the door to rethinking the way satellites are designed and operated, marking a significant leap forward in the capabilities and sustainability of satellites in orbit.” #Space #US #USSpaceForce #Refueler #Satellite #Orbit #Spacecraft https://lnkd.in/dassGXYA

With a record number of satellites shot into orbit, space debris is becoming a serious concern as an object as small as a paperclip can sabotage a spacecraft or satellite. As the risk of collisions in outer space grows, we must rethink how we use – and govern – outer space. Collaborative efforts to mitigate space debris and improve space management frameworks could increase trust and improve cooperation among spacefaring nations in other fields.  https://lnkd.in/emPHrSPr #satellites #spacedebris #outerspace #spacesecurity

Built by Boeing, United States Space Force's X-37B lifted off via SpaceX Falcon Heavy from the Cape kicking off the space plane's seventh mission. Mission objectives of the new X-37B mission, known as OTV-7 ("Orbital Test Vehicle-7") as well as USSF-52, include operating the reusable space plane in new orbital regimes. The space planes are used primarily as orbital testbeds to enable the US military to see how instruments perform and behave in the space environment. Prior OTV Mission(s) Overview: - OTV-1: 224 days (launched on April 22, 2010, landed on Dec. 3, 2010) - OTV-2: 468 days (launched on March 5, 2011, landed on June 16, 2012) - OTV-3: 674 days (launched on Dec. 11, 2012, landed on Oct. 17, 2014) - OTV-4: 718 days (launched on May 20, 2015, landed on May 7, 2015) - OTV-5: 780 days (launched on Sept. 7, 2017, landed on Oct. 27, 2019) - OTV-6: 908 days (launched on May 17, 2020, landed on Nov. 12, 2022) #spaceexploration #nationalsecurity _________ Approach Venture provides consulting / advisory services to space-focused teams. https://lnkd.in/gR4iK6t4

🚀 ASTRONAUT, CREW OR SPACE FLIGHT PARTICIPANT?👨🚀  Broadly speaking and mainly in the US, an astronaut is defined as a person who is trained to go to space. It is has been used since the early NASA Human Spaceflight Program but lately as we see more people fly on commercial spacecraft, the term is being scrutinized. So again some questions arises to my mind. 🚀 If a person who has been trained by NASA reaches the US definition of space 50 miles above sea level on a commercial carrier, is that person still an astronaut? Or are they part of a space crew? Or are they a spaceflight participant? 👩🚀 🛰 The FAA and the US Department of Transportation are proposing new rules. The proposed rules formalize the roles for government astronauts on commercial space launch vehicles closing some gaps and, frankly, some weirdness due to finicky legislative language, including a situation where NASA astronauts could NOT be considered CREW or a SPACEFLIGHT PARTICIPANT on a commercial spaceflight because THEY ARE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES and not employees of the commercial spaceflight company. 🛰 The updated rules would require that missions that have government astronauts aboard be able to perform safety-critical tasks and allow those astronauts to provide mission training for onboard crew on the aforementioned safety-critical tasks. Essentially, this rules update is trying to carve out plenty of space to let NASA astronauts do the job they were trained to do on a commercial spaceflight .NASA astronauts providing safety critical mission training for commercial crew missions are a part of a more of a hard rule going forward 🌚

Firefly Aerospace has recently partnered with the Pentagon's commercial technology arm (DIU) to explore the potential of their Elytra orbital vehicle for missions beyond geosynchronous Earth orbit. This collaboration supports DIU's Sinequone project, which strives to provide cost-effective and responsive access to cislunar space through launch and orbital transfer services. According to Nathan Gapp, DIU program manager, this “will enable the government to evaluate the technical feasibility and operational effectiveness of the company’s responsive launch and delivery capabilities,”. Following the study the aim is for Firefly to deliver three to six orbital vehicles for one or more launches to orbits in cislunar space. #SpaceExploration #InnovationInSpace #Aerospace https://bit.ly/3TUIa3G