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U.S. Space Force switches rockets for upcoming GPS satellite launch
The change will allow the U.S. Space Force to expedite the process of building out its GPS constellation in medium Earth orbit. The launch date for the next satellite, GPS III Space Vehicle 09, could be within weeks.
SpaceX to launch 4 Falcon Heavy rockets as part of newest U.S. national security missions award
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command announced that SpaceX and ULA would launch five and two missions respectively as part of the latest round of National Security Space Launch contract assignments.
Amazon says $139.5 million investment in Florida is key to ramping up launch cadence with Project Kuiper
The tech giant launched three batches of its satellites on two different rockets in less than three months. It said the next slate of Kuiper satellites is prepared to launch now, but didn’t state when that’s expected to happen.
SpaceX to launch second accelerated GPS 3 satellite mission in late May
This mission follows a similar model of processing used during the Rapid Response Trailblazer (RRT-1) mission, which saw the launch of the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 07 (SV-07) spacecraft on a Falcon 9 instead of a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket as originally planned.
U.S. Space Force awards $13.7 billion in new national security launch contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX and ULA
The 54 national security missions will be awarded over the course of five years spanning FY25-FY29. The U.S. Space Force said missions are anticipated to fly from FY27-FY32.
U.S. Space Force launches expedited GPS mission using Falcon 9 rocket
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.
Capitol Hill budget battle may limit initial funding of some National Security Space Launch missions
Among the 21 missions set to be ordered in the fifth year of Phase 2 task orders, only eight are anticipated to be ordered under a continuing resolution.
VideoNASA chief: Russian cosmonauts unlikely fly on U.S. crew capsules until next year
NASA’s acting administrator said Tuesday he does not expect Russian cosmonauts to start launching to the International Space Station on U.S. commercial crew vehicles until next year. A proposed agreement with Russia to ensure the space station is always staffed with an international crew is awaiting U.S. government approval.
ULA, SpaceX split military launch contract awards
The U.S. Space Force announced Tuesday that it awarded $384 million in contracts to United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, giving each company two missions to launch military satellites in 2023.
No SpaceX doubleheader for now, but range is ready for two launches in a day
One of the two Falcon 9 rockets SpaceX planned to take off in a span of less than five hours earlier this week will remain grounded indefinitely, preventing Cape Canaveral from hosting two launches on the same day for the first time in decades. But the military-run Eastern Range was ready for the back-to-back missions, and probably won't have to wait long for the next chance for a launch doubleheader.