9/5/24

SpaceX NROL-113, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA | 9/5/24

NROL-113 Type: Government/Top Secret Orbit: Unknown Launch Cost: $52,000,000 Third batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities. Space Launch Complex 4E Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed the launch of 156 rockets, including 156 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 768 rocket launches. SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability. Core B1063 Booster B1063 last launched 07/12/2024 and has seen 19 successful launches and landings. Notable launches include Sentinel-6 and Dart. Of Course I Still Love You – OCISLY The second ASDS barge, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) services launches in the Pacific Ocean and was the site of the first landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage during CRS-8, the launch of a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship – ASDS An autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) is an ocean-going vessel derived from a deck barge, outfitted with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform. Construction of such ships was commissioned by aerospace company SpaceX to allow for recovery of rocket first-stages at sea for high-velocity missions which do not carry enough fuel to return to the launch site after lofting spacecraft onto an orbital trajectory.

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SpaceX Transporter 11 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare), Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA | 8/16/24