SpaceX prepares secret 'Zuma' satellite launch
SpaceX is preparing to send into space a satellite for the US government that is so secret the public cannot know even which branch of the administration commissioned the launch.
A weather report ahead of the launch released on Tuesday described the conditions as excellent.
Unlike the private aerospace company's previous classified launches for the military's National Reconnaissance Office and the super-secret space-plane it took into orbit for the Air Force, there is almost no information available about the "Zuma" payload.
Zuma is known to be a low Earth orbit satellite (orbiting within 2,000km) which is an orbit necessary both for spy and military communication satellites.
The secrecy surrounding the launch and the involvement of defence contractor Northrup Grumman in building and operating the spacecraft has led many to speculate that it is defence related.
The National Reconnaissance Office has denied that Zuma belongs to them.
The launch window opens at 8pm local time on Thursday at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
SpaceX rocket landing
Video:
SpaceX rocket lands itself minutes after launch
After delivering the satellite into orbit, the Falcon 9 rocket is planned to return to a different launchpad at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Where the company's competitors are forced to build new rockets for every launch, SpaceX has managed to achieve an economy of business by reusing previously developed craft.
This has helped the company to be valued at $21bn (£16bn), making it one of the most valuable privately-owned companies in the world - and drives down the launch cost for companies such as Northrup Grumman.
According to Northrup Grumman's communications director, Lon Raid: "This event represents a cost effective approach to space access for government missions.
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"As a company, Northrop Grumman realises that this is a monumental responsibility and has taken great care to ensure the most affordable and lowest risk scenarios for Zuma."
The launch had been pushed back despite a US Government desire to launch Zuma before November of last year.
They also launched some satellite on 25 dec last year?
SpaceX is launching its last mission of 2017 later today, with a planned launch window of 5:27 PM PST (8:27 PM EST). The mission is for client Iridium, and will send a fourth set of 10 satellites into low Earth orbit for Iridium’s NEXT constellation, which will eventually consist of 75 satellites launched by SpaceX in total.
SpaceX is launching the Falcon 9 for Iridium-4 from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, where it has its Space Launch Complex 4E. It’ll be the 18th launch of a Falcon 9 for SpaceX this year – but it won’t include a recover attempt for the first stage, as the launch requirements include configuring the Falcon 9 used to be expended during the launch process.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster being used for the mission has been used before, however – it was flown during Iridium-2, the second mission that Spacex flew for this client, which took place in June. That means this rocket was turned around and ready for re-use in just six months.
SpaceX launched an International Space Station resupply mission just last week, using both a reflown Dragon capsule and a reflown Falcon 9 first stage. It’s also preparing for its first ever Falcon Heavy launch, which should take place early in 2018.
If the mission today is scrubbed for any reason, SpaceX has a backup launch window on Saturday, at 5:21 PM PST.
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