SpaceX, Elon Musk’s private space company, is planning to launch a satellite into mid-Earth orbit from a space launch station in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lockheed Martin designed the satellite, which is a new military GPS III-9 model. It will become apart of the Global Positioning System (GPS) operated by U.S. Space Force. The military, apps and consumer technologies in the U.S. will be the main users of this satellite.
Satellite ready to launch — 8:34p.m.
The GPS III-9 satellite is prepped and ready for takeoff to medium Earth orbit, according to a post from SpaceX’s X account. Considering the weather continues to be favorable, the launch should begin any second.
Stream the launch live — 8:38p.m.
You can stream the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 satellite at this link.
Local safety warning — 8:41 p.m.
The Brevard County Emergency Management Office has issued a local safety warning — they activated their launch operation support team in light of the launch from 11:30p.m.- 12:05a.m.
How the launch works — 8:46p.m.
The launch will start with the ascent, after which the unit will enter the Earth’s atmosphere. At that point, there will be a flipping maneuver of the unit, which separates the GPS satellite from the Falcon 9. After they separate, the satellite continues forth into space while the autonomous drone ship lands on an airstrip.
LIFTOFF — 8:50 p.m.
The GPS III-9 satellite is taking off.
BREAKING: Satellite explodes shortly after taking off — 8:53 p.m.
The first stage is complete — 8:57 p.m.
The GPS III-9 satellite has launched into space, and the reusable rocket that contained it is returning back to Earth.
It’s official — the satellite has been successfully deployed — 9 p.m.
The GPS III-9 satellite has officially been deployed, according to SpaceX’s X account.
Mission complete — 9:03 p.m.
The Falcon 9 GPS III-9 satellite mission has officially been completed, with the successful deployment of the satellite and the return of the reusable drone chasis.
Leave a Reply