SpaceX Launches 13 Satellites for US Space Development Agency Written 5 September 2023
On Saturday, September 2 at 7:25 a.m. PT, SpaceX launched the Space Development Agency’s second Tranche 0 mission to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. | Credit: SpaceX; YouTube; framegrab
Space News reported SpaceX on Saturday launched a Falcon 9 rocket “at 7:25 a.m. Pacific from Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, carrying 13 U.S. military satellites.” According to Space News, “The mission to low Earth orbit was the second launch of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mesh network of military communications and missile tracking satellites.” Spaceflight Now reported the launch was the third attempt “in as many days for the mission,” as “a problem with the Falcon 9’s engine 4 scrubbed the launch on Aug. 31 and on Sept. 1 the countdown was halted with 20 minutes left on the clock by a balky valve in a ground system.”
Full Story (Space News)
Video
Space Development Agency’s Second Tranche 0 Mission, September 2, 2023
(SpaceX; YouTube)