23.12.2023
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to launch 2 German military satellites early Dec. 24
Liftoff is scheduled for 8:11 a.m. EST.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with the German military's SARah-2 mission stands on the pad at Vandenberg Space Force base ahead of a planned Dec. 23, 2023 liftoff. (Image credit: SpaceX)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch two radar reconnaissance satellites for the German military early Sunday morning (Dec. 23).
A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the SARah-2 mission to low Earth orbit(LEO) from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday, during an 83-minute window that opens at 8:11 a.m. EST (1311 GMT; 5:11 a.m. local California time). The liftoff had been slated for Saturday (Dec. 23) but was pushed back a day to allow for additional preflight checks.
You can watch it live via SpaceX's account on X (formerly known as Twitter). Coverage will begin about 15 minutes before the launch window opens.
The SARah-2 mission will send two synthetic aperture radar (the "SAR" in "SARah-2") reconnaissance satellites aloft for the German military.
"The satellites will continue the replacement process of the aging SAR-Lupe constellation," EverydayAstronaut.com wrote in a mission description.
"SARah 2 and SARah 3 are two 'reflector antenna' satellites, meaning they will consequently fly in formation with SARah 1 to increase the resolution of the constellation," the outlet added.
SARah-2 will be the eighth liftoff for this particular Falcon 9's first stage, according to SpaceX. The booster will come down for its eighth landing as well, touching down back at Vandenberg about eight minutes after launch, if all goes according to plan.
SARah 2 and SARah 3, meanwhile, will deploy into LEO from the Falcon 9's upper stage about 20 minutes and 25 minutes after liftoff, respectively.
Sunday's launch continues a very busy 2023 for SpaceX. The company has launched 95 orbital missions so far this year, as well as two test flights of its giant Starship rocket that didn't make it to orbit.
And there will be more SpaceX action before the calendar turns. For example, the company's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch the U.S. Space Force's X-37B space plane to orbit on Dec. 28.
Quelle: SC
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SpaceX delays launch of twin radar satellites for German military
A SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch the SARah 2 & 3 satellites for the German military. The twin craft, equipped with passive synthetic aperture radar reflectors, will liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base during an 83-minute window that opens at 5:11 a.m. PST / 8:11 a.m. EST / 1311 UTC on Sunday, Dec. 24.
SpaceX scrubbed today's launch attempt of the SARah-2 and -3 satellite mission. They have a 24-hour backup opportunity on Dec. 24.
The 83-minute window opens up at 5:11 a.m. PST (8:11 a.m. EST, 1311 UTC)
SpaceX has officially adjusted the launch time of the SARah-2 and -3 satellites. The Falcon 9 is now set to liftoff at 6:10 a.m. PST (9:10 a.m. EST, 1410 UTC
SpaceX is likely adjusting the T-0 liftoff time. The company shifted the start of its broadcast to 6 a.m. PST (9 a.m. EST, 1400 UTC).
If they are still starting 15 minutes ahead of liftoff, that would suggest a launch time of around 6:15 a.m. PST (9:15 a.m. EST, 1415 UTC)
SpaceX adjusted the T-0 liftoff time for the mission. The Falcon 9 is set to launch no earlier than 5:41 a.m. PST (8:41 a.m. EST, 1341 UTC).
SpaceX is preparing for its second launch heading into the Christmas holiday weekend. The company aims to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying a pair of satellites for the German Armed Forces.
Liftoff is set during an 83-minute window that opens at 5:11 a.m. PST (8:11 EST, 1311 UTC). The planned launch comes less eight hours after the successful launch of a batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral just after midnight.
This is the second and final launch of Satellite-based Radar Reconnaissance System (SARah) satellites for Germany. There will be three satellites in total for this constellation.
These satellites are designed to replace a five-satellite constellation called the SAR-Lupe, according to the European Space Agency.
The SARah-1 satellite, which was build by Airbus Defense and Space, was launched in June 2022 on another SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The image above is an artist's rendering of the SARah-1 satellite on orbit. Its mass is about 4,000 kg.
The SARah-2 and -3 satellites are a bit different than their predecessor. According to ESA, they are based more closely on the reflector-antenna technology of the prior SAR-Lupe satellites.
The above images are renderings of the SARah-2 and -3 satellites.
Following the Falcon 9 launch, the first stage booster will land back at VSFB at Landing Zone 4 less than eight minutes after liftoff. This booster, tail number B1075, will be making its eighth launch and landing attempt with today's mission.
The two satellites are set to deploy within five minutes of one another, starting just over 20 minutes into flight.
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, December 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of the
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the eighth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Quelle: SpaceX