SpaceX on Monday night time launched a secretive speedy response mission for the Space Force, flying a GPS III satellite tv for pc aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to reveal the power to shortly plan and launch a mission in round six months — a course of that usually takes round two years.
“The mission efficiently demonstrated a posh integration effort throughout a number of Space Force organizations to drag an present GPS III satellite tv for pc from storage, speed up integration and launch car readiness, and quickly course of for launch,” the Space Force mentioned in a press release.
The launch lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida round 7:52 p.m., and the first-stage booster landed on a drone ship after releasing the GPS payload.
The Space Force has proved via its Tactically Responsive Space program that it may shortly launch small payloads on industrial rockets, however this mission was the primary to contain a big National Security Space Launch-class payload.
For Rapid Response Trailblazer, Space Force acquirers at Space Systems Command labored intently with operators at Space Operations Command to arrange and combine the payload for launch. Walt Lauderdale, mission director for Monday’s launch, mentioned that alignment was key to the profitable mission.
“This partnership is an instance of recent and quicker methods we will ship launch in help of future warfighter wants,” Lauderdale mentioned in a press release. “The Space Force shortly energized a number of organizations, and the joint crew delivered a selected, necessary mission to orbit in file time.”
The GPS III satellite tv for pc that was launched was constructed by Lockheed Martin and had been in storage awaiting a experience from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which has confronted delays and isn’t but licensed to fly nationwide safety missions. Space News reported that the choice to redirect the satellite tv for pc to a SpaceX Falcon got here earlier this 12 months.
Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET’s house and rising know-how reporter. She has lined the U.S. navy since 2012, with a concentrate on the Air Force and Space Force. She has reported on a number of the Defense Department’s most vital acquisition, price range and coverage challenges.
