Launch Date: November 1
Launch Window: 9:41am EDT (6:41am PDT, 13:41 UTC)
Launch site: LC-39A, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Side Booster Recovery: LZ-1 and LZ-2
Core Booster Recovery: N/A Expended
Boosters: All new Block 5, Side Boosters: B1064.1 and B1065.1 Center Core: B1066
Mass: 3,750 kg (8,270 lb) for classified payload + LDPE-2 (with 6 payloads)
Orbit: GEO (Direct)
Yearly Launch Number: 50!!
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the USSF 44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission is expected to deploy two spacecraft payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit. The classified payload and the space tug LDPE-2 (with 6 payloads some of which is the military’s TETRA 1 microsatellite and LINUSS A1 + A2).
The second stage will feature a gray band due to its long coast phase between subsequent burns, to allow more heat from sunlight to be absorbed to warm the RP-1 kerosene tank during the longer coasting period, a first for FH and third for any falcon rocket. When it gets too cold, kerosene – which freezes at a much higher temperature than Falcon’s liquid oxygen oxidizer – becomes viscous and slush-like before it freezes solid. If ingested, slushy fuel would likely prevent ignition or destroy the upper stage’s Merlin engine.
The two satellites will be launched in a direct geosynchronous orbit, necessitating for the first time a planned partially expendable launch, that is, to deliberately expend the center core which will lack grid fins and landing gear needed for a landing, while the two side-boosters will be targeting a simultaneous recovery at LZ-1 and LZ-2. The original plan had the side boosters being recovered on ASDS. It is likely that improvements to F9 has allowed a boostback burn to facilitate a LZ landing instead.
Launch Window: 9:41am EDT (6:41am PDT, 13:41 UTC)
Launch site: LC-39A, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Side Booster Recovery: LZ-1 and LZ-2
Core Booster Recovery: N/A Expended
Boosters: All new Block 5, Side Boosters: B1064.1 and B1065.1 Center Core: B1066
Mass: 3,750 kg (8,270 lb) for classified payload + LDPE-2 (with 6 payloads)
Orbit: GEO (Direct)
Yearly Launch Number: 50!!
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the USSF 44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission is expected to deploy two spacecraft payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit. The classified payload and the space tug LDPE-2 (with 6 payloads some of which is the military’s TETRA 1 microsatellite and LINUSS A1 + A2).
The second stage will feature a gray band due to its long coast phase between subsequent burns, to allow more heat from sunlight to be absorbed to warm the RP-1 kerosene tank during the longer coasting period, a first for FH and third for any falcon rocket. When it gets too cold, kerosene – which freezes at a much higher temperature than Falcon’s liquid oxygen oxidizer – becomes viscous and slush-like before it freezes solid. If ingested, slushy fuel would likely prevent ignition or destroy the upper stage’s Merlin engine.
The two satellites will be launched in a direct geosynchronous orbit, necessitating for the first time a planned partially expendable launch, that is, to deliberately expend the center core which will lack grid fins and landing gear needed for a landing, while the two side-boosters will be targeting a simultaneous recovery at LZ-1 and LZ-2. The original plan had the side boosters being recovered on ASDS. It is likely that improvements to F9 has allowed a boostback burn to facilitate a LZ landing instead.
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