SpaceX - Falcon Heavy - USSF-52 - LC-39A - Kennedy Space Center - Space Affairs Livestream

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, December 28 at 8:07 p.m. ET (01:07 UTC, 02:07 CET December 29) for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A backup launch opportunity is available at 8:06 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29. This will be the fifth launch and landing of these Falcon Heavy side boosters, which previously supported USSF-44, USSF-67, Hughes JUPTER 3, and NASA’s Psyche mission. Following booster separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The first competitively won Space Force mission for Falcon Heavy. SpaceX’s $130 million Falcon Heavy bid beat ULA’s Delta IV Heavy. USSF-52 is a classified mission for the United States Space Force (USSF), which will carry the US Space Force X-37B in the OTV-7 mission to low Earth orbit. It is the first time the X-37 will fly on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. The Boeing X-37, or the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a reusable robotic spacecraft. A launch vehicle boosts it into space, re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, and lands as a spaceplane. The X-37 is operated by the United States Space Force for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies. It is a 120-percent-scaled derivative of the earlier Boeing X-40. The X-37 began as a NASA project in 1999 before being transferred to the United States Department of Defense in 2004. Until 2019, the program was managed by Air Force Space Command. Most of the activities of the X-37B project are secret. The official U.S. Air Force statement is that the project is “an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, uncrewed space test platform for the U.S. Air Force“. The primary objectives of the X-37B are twofold: reusable spacecraft technology and operating experiments that can be returned to Earth. The Air Force states that this includes testing avionics, flight systems, guidance and navigation, thermal protection, insulation, propulsion, and re-entry systems. There will be no live streams from the second stage of the Falcon Heavy once the stage has separated. Advertisement: We partnered with ENCALIFE. Do you want to give your bedroom, living room, or study a spacy flair? Or inspire your kids to never stop dreaming? The Astronaut Galaxy projector lets you dive into the depths of the universe by conjuring up different colored projections that will inspire you to dream ... We have the astronaut in our office here, and we can tell you he will enchant you. And the great thing is, it’s like a stress limiter that lets you relax from a busy day or acts like a balm on your soul. And you won’t have to stress about getting your kids to bed anymore! This projector features a stylish astronaut-shaped design that adds a touch of space-inspired flair to any room. Its 5V voltage and rechargeable battery make it perfect for everyday use. The low wattage and power generation switch make it an energy-efficient choice. Quality assured. The compact and lightweight design of the Galaxy projector means you can take it anywhere, while the included bulbs produce a stunning starry night effect. Christmas is just around the corner, and if you want a special gift for your loved ones or yourself, order it now!