Monday, June 24, 2019

SpaceX Gears Up For Falcon Heavy Launch Later Today

Hawthorne-based SpaceX is gearing up for another launch of its Falcon Heavy, with the first use of the Falcon Heavy by the Department of Defense (DoD). According to SpaceX, the launch window for the Space Test Program-2 (STP-2) mission opens at 11:30pm today, June 24th, with a liftoff targeted from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will deliver 24 satellites to space for the Department of Defense. SpaceX said the launch will use previously launched side boosters, which were previously used in the Arabsat-6A Falcon Heavy launch--the first re-use of a booster by the U.S. Air Force. SpaceX said this launch will demonstrate the capabilities of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle, providing critical data supporting certification for future National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions.