Update: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket got off the ground right on time at 7:12 a.m. PT Wednesday, Sept. 9 to successfully deploy the first batch of Tranche 1 satellites. The first stage, or booster, then landed on a SpaceX drone ship in the Pacific Ocean within 10 minutes of liftoff.
SpaceX is preparing to deploy an initial batch of military satellites into orbit from Southern California on behalf of an agency under the U.S. Space Force.
The commercial rocket company founded by billionaire Elon Musk has been selected as the launch service provider for a government mission known as Tranche 1. The mission, getting off the ground at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, is the first in a series of launches supporting a new satellite constellation for the Space Development Agency (SDA,) according to Space Force.
Here’s everything to know about the early-morning launch, and how you may be able to see it in person or online.
What is Tranche 1 mission? SpaceX to launch government satellites
SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world’s most active, to help deploy first 21 of 154 Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s layered network of satellites.
Once in low-Earth orbit – an altitude low enough to allow for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly – the satellites will provide global military tactical communication and missile defense.
The satellite deployment represents the first operational spacecraft for the constellation known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
What is the Space Development Agency?
The Space Development Agency was formed as an independent agency 2019 with the goal of developing military space technologies and capabilities, according an establishing memorandum from the Department of Defense.
The agency became a part of the U.S. Space Force in October 2022.
When is the next SpaceX launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base?
The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10 from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory.
The two-and-a-half-hour launch window opens at 4:58 a.m. PT, according to SpaceX’s website. SpaceX. though, indicated it’s specifically working toward liftoff at 7:12 a.m. PT, according to a launch alert from Vandenberg.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.
Following the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket’s booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed “Of Course I Still Love You,” in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights.
How to watch SpaceX livestream of Falcon 9 launch
As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company’s website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.
Where to watch Falcon 9 liftoff from California
Because Vandenberg is an active military base, the launch complex does not host public viewings of launches.
But if conditions are clear, rocket launches from the Vandenberg Space Force Base can be viewed from several locations as far as Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Want to find a place nearby to catch a liftoff?
The VC Star maitains this list of possible viewing locations in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties.
In Arizona, where Falcon 9 rockets are often visible soaring overheard, residents can refer to this list of recommended viewing locations on azcentral.com.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: What is the Tranche 1 mission? SpaceX to launch military satellites today in California
Reporting by Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
