Updated at 10:45 a.m. ET: SpaceX aims to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 13 military satellites on Friday, September 1, during the second Tranche 0 mission of the Space Force’s Space Agency. After a one-day delay, the launch is now set for 10:26 a.m. EDT (14:26 GMT).
SpaceX is scheduled to launch a series of military satellites this Friday (September 1) after a day’s delay, and you can watch it live.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 13 U.S. Space Force Space Development Administration (SDA) spacecraft is scheduled to launch Friday from Space Force Station Vandenberg, California. 10:26 a.m. EDT (14:26 GMT, 7:26 a.m. California local time).
You can watch it live here on Space.com when the time comes, courtesy of SpaceX.or directly through the company. Coverage is scheduled to begin 15 minutes before launch. SpaceX originally attempted to launch the Tranche 0 mission on August 31st, but postponed it for undisclosed reasons.
Related: What is the U.S. Space Force and what does it do?
Friday’s launch will be SpaceX’s second launch in support of the Proliferation Fighter Space Architecture (PWSA). PWSA is a “new multi-layered network of satellites in low earth orbit and supporting elements that provide global military communications and missile warning, indication and tracking capabilities,” SpaceX writes.in Mission description.
The first PWSA mission took place in early April, when Falcon 9 launched 10 satellites from Vandenberg.
These first two missions will be dedicated to building a 28-satellite demonstration constellation, “Tranche 0.” According to Space News. Most are communications devices, but some are designed to detect missiles.
As the name suggests, Tranche 0 is just the beginning of PWSA.
“Under this plan, the Space Force will have hundreds of small satellites and launch new satellites every few years to increase resilience and capability in orbit.” Air Force magazine wrote: In late March.
If all goes according to plan, Falcon 9’s first stage will return for touchdown at Vandenberg about seven and a half minutes after today’s launch. According to SpaceX’s mission description, this is the booster’s 14th launch and landing.
It is unclear when the satellite will be deployed. SpaceX did not provide information about that milestone. That’s no surprise. Details are often lacking about national security missions.