SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launches for First Time in Three Years Written 2 November 2022
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy lauches Nov. 1 at 9:41 a.m. ET from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. | Credit: SpaceX, YouTube; framegrab
Space News reports that a SpaceX Falcon Heavy “lifted off Nov. 1 at 9:41 a.m. Eastern from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying the U.S. Space Force USSF-44 mission to geostationary Earth orbit.” This is the fourth flight of the Falcon Heavy since 2018 “and the first in more than three years.” Launch of the classified USSF-44 mission, originally scheduled in 2020 but delayed several times, involved “a direct-to-geostationary orbit launch carrying two Space Force satellites and small rideshare payloads.” Space Systems Command confirmed through a news release Tuesday evening that the mission was a success. USSF-44 marks a milestone for SpaceX “as its first direct-to-GEO operational mission, requiring the Falcon Heavy upper stage to perform a long-duration coast and engine re-start.”
Full Story (Space News)
Video
USSF-44 Mission, November 1, 2022
(SpaceX; YouTube)