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SpaceX started the Fourth of July fireworks early this year.
In the first of two rocket launches slated for this week, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base Wednesday.
The 27th SpaceX mission of the year — and fifth to be launched this month — sent a communications satellite to orbit for Luxembourg-based satellite operator, SES.
Watch:SpaceX launches SES-22 communications satellite from Florida
More SpaceX launches from Florida:SpaceX launches Egyptian satellite on first Florida mission of June
The on-time liftoff of the 230-foot tall rocket at 5:04 pm ET took place from Launch Complex 40. Next door at Launch Complex 41 United Launch Alliance is set for a launch of its Atlas V rocket.
Wednesday’s SpaceX flight was the second mission for the Falcon 9’s first stage booster, which did a somersault and returned for a successful landing on the company’s “A Shortfall of Gravitas” drone ship which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The drone ship will bring the booster back to Port Canaveral in a few days. SpaceX will likely refurbish it and reuse it for a future mission.
The payload customer of Wednesday’s mission, SES, was the first commercial company to fly on a re-used booster with SpaceX in March 2017.
SpaceX webhost, Jessie Anderson, stated Wednesday that since 2017 the company had accomplished 102 re-flights of Falcon 9 boosters, with the SES-22 mission now marking the 103rd.
If SpaceX keeps it up, the company is on pace to crush its previous cadence of 31 Falcon 9’s launched in 2021.
If the weather cooperates, Thursday will bring the second mission to launch from Florida’s Space Coast in as many days.
In the nose cone of the ULA Atlas V rocket is the Wide Field of View (WFOV) Testbed missile early warning satellite for the US Space Force and the USSF-12 Ring spacecraft for the Department of Defense.
The USSF-12 mission will send the Atlas V rocket on an eastern trajectory. The rocket is outfitted with four solid rocket boosters which should create a great sight for all spectators along the Space Coast, barring any clouds. The two-hour launch window opens at 6 pm ET.
Weather is predicted to be about 60% “GO” for a Thursday evening launch.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Launch Thursday, June 30: ULA USSF-12
- Rocket: ULA Atlas V 541 (four solid rocket boosters)
- Mission: USSF-12 national security mission for the US Space Force
- Launch Time: Between 6 pm to 8 pm ET
- Location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: East
- Weather: 60% “go”
Visit floridatoday.com/space at 5 pm ET Thursday, June 30, for real-time updates and live video.
Jamie Groh is a space reporter for Florida Today. You can contact her at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie,
