December 2024 – Page 2 – Spaceflight Now

U.S. Space Force launches expedited GPS mission using Falcon 9 rocket

December 17, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Space Operations Command (SpOC) shifted the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 07 spacecraft to a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket due to delays in Vulcan’s certification.

SpaceX launches Starshield satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from California for the NRO

December 17, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The NROL-149 mission was the sixth and final mission of the year supporting the agency’s proliferated architecture. Liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 5:19 a.m. PST (8:19 a.m. EST, 1319 UTC).

SpaceX launches RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral

December 13, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The payload onboard hasn’t been officially confirmed by a customer or the spacecraft manufacturer. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened Monday, Dec. 16, at 7:51 p.m. EST (0051 UTC).

SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from California

December 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base came on the heels of leaders from the U.S. Space Force gathering to discuss how to adjust to a rapidly increasing launch cadence for both the Eastern Range and Western Range. Liftoff happened at 1:55 p.m. PST (4:55 p.m. EST, 2155 UTC).

Jared Isaacman makes first public remarks since nomination for NASA Administrator

December 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Isaacman spoke before the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference on Wednesday. While not directly addressing the nomination, his comments will become part of the record scrutinized by senators during the confirmation process.

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

December 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 12-5 mission includes 13 satellites featuring Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 12:12 a.m. EST (0512 UTC).

As it happened: NASA leadership announces delays to first Artemis crewed launch, Moon landing missions

December 5, 2024 Spaceflight Now

NASA announced new delays for the Artemis Moon program at a news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Artemis 2 mission to circle the Moon is now scheduled for 2026 and the first lunar landing is delayed to 2027.

SpaceX launches latest broadcast satellite for SiriusXM on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center

December 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

This was the third satellite launched by SpaceX for the broadcast radio corporation. Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center happened at the opening of the 90-minute launch window at 11:10 a.m. EST (1610 UTC).

SpaceX launches 350th mission using a flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket booster during Starlink mission from California

December 4, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 9-14 mission launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base is also set to feature the 300th successful SpaceX droneship booster landing. Liftoff from pad 4 East happened at 7:05 p.m. PST (10:05 p.m. EST, 0305 UTC).

Trump nominates Jared Isaacman to serve as next NASA administrator

December 4, 2024 William Harwood

If confirmed, Isaacman, 41, would be the fifth NASA administrator with spaceflight experience, replacing former Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, who flew into orbit aboard the space shuttle Columbia in early 1986.