Status Report

Watch Live: Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express

By SpaceRef Editor
December 1, 2018
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SpaceX is targeting launch of the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express mission to low Earth orbit on Sunday, December 2 from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Carrying 64 payloads, this mission represents the largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date. The mission will also be the first time SpaceX has launched the same booster a third time. Falcon 9’s first stage for the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express mission previously supported the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission in May 2018 and the Merah Putih mission in August 2018.

The primary launch window on December 2 opens at 10:32 a.m. PST, or 18:32 UTC, and closes at 11:00 a.m. PST, or 19:00 UTC. A backup launch window opens on Monday, December 3 at 10:32 a.m. PST, or 18:32 UTC, and closes at 11:00 a.m. PST, or 19:00 UTC.

Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

To watch the launch live or learn more about the mission, visit www.spacex.com/webcast.

SpaceRef staff editor.