SpaceX is kicking off the week with a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. EST. The mission, Starlink 12-7, will deploy 21 Starlink internet satellites, with 13 equipped for direct-to-cell communication. The Falcon 9’s first stage boasts an impressive flight history, having supported 20 previous missions. A backup launch window is available on Tuesday.
SpaceX recently launched 23 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The successful mission marked the company’s 11th Falcon 9 launch of the year. The first stage booster landed on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, signifying SpaceX’s 401st rocket recovery.
Multiple rocket launches are anticipated in the coming days. SpaceX’s Starlink 11-6 mission is scheduled for January 24th, launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This will be SpaceX’s third launch of the week, following two successful Starlink deployments on January 21st.
Blue Origin is preparing for the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket. The mission, designated NG-1, serves as a qualification flight for national security payloads. The massive 320-foot rocket is set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Blue Origin aims to land the first stage on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 test flight is also on the horizon. The ambitious mission will deploy simulated Starlink satellites for the first time. Modifications to the Starship vehicle include increased propellant capacity, avionics upgrades, and improvements to the heat shield and flight control systems. A fueling test was recently conducted, loading nearly 11 million pounds of propellant into the megarocket.
India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. This crucial mission will test autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies, essential for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing. The PSLV-C60 rocket will also carry 24 additional science payloads.
SpaceX recently launched two private moon landers, Blue Ghost and Resilience, on a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, originating from Florida’s Space Coast, represents a significant step in commercial lunar exploration.
