SpaceX is gearing up for another attempt to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying the classified X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. This highly anticipated launch is set for Thursday night from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A, with a four-hour window beginning at 7 p.m. A backup opportunity is available on Friday. This mission, known as USSF-52, marks the ninth overall flight of the Falcon Heavy and its fifth this year.
Weather forecasts are promising, with an 80% chance of favorable conditions, increasing to 95% if the launch is postponed by a day. Space enthusiasts have already gathered at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center to witness the event, with premium viewing options at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The two side boosters, each on their fifth flight, will attempt landings at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zones 1 and 2, creating the iconic double sonic booms familiar to Space Coast residents.
This launch follows previous delays caused by weather and a "ground side issue" identified shortly before an earlier attempt. It represents the third Falcon Heavy mission for the Space Force and the first time the X-37B will be launched on such a powerful rocket. Previously, the X-37B's six missions were conducted using United Launch Alliance Atlas V or SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets. The Falcon Heavy's impressive 5.1 million pounds of thrust enables it to reach higher orbits, facilitating the X-37B's mission to explore "new orbital regimes" as part of its experimental test program.
The X-37B's missions are shrouded in secrecy, with each mission lasting longer than the previous one. Its sixth mission concluded in November, lasting nearly 909 days. To date, the spacecraft has traveled over 1.3 billion miles and spent more than 3,774 days in space. The spacecraft often carries additional experiments, such as NASA's seed-based studies, which are crucial for future deep space missions, including the Artemis program's goal to land humans on Mars by 2040.
The current X-37B mission includes a service module for hosting experiments with partner agencies. Past missions have carried NASA's seed experiments, the Naval Research Laboratory’s Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module, and deployed the FalconSat-8 satellite. William D. Bailey, director of the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, praised the collaboration between government and Boeing teams for creating a versatile platform for space experimentation.
Falcon Heavy's Role in Space Exploration
Falcon Heavy has become a cornerstone for both commercial and military launches, including its first NASA mission this year. The rocket made its debut in 2018, famously launching Elon Musk's Tesla towards Mars. After a brief hiatus, Falcon Heavy has resumed regular launches, starting with its first Space Force mission last fall. This year marks its fifth flight, underscoring the Space Force's increased launch cadence.
Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, head of the Space Force's Assured Access to Space program, commended the teams for their resilience and efforts to enhance launch capabilities for national security. The Space Coast's bustling launch activity was evident during the initial Falcon Heavy launch attempt, with rockets on pads at three sites, including SpaceX's Falcon 9 and United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur.
Since then, SpaceX has conducted two more Falcon 9 launches for Starlink missions, while ULA's Vulcan Centaur is scheduled for its next flight in January. If successful, the Falcon Heavy launch will be the 71st for the Space Coast this year, with SpaceX responsible for the majority. Following closely, another Starlink launch could set a new record for the shortest time between SpaceX launches from Space Coast pads.
The upcoming Starlink launch, potentially the 72nd of the year, is set for 11:01 p.m. with a four-hour window extending into early Friday. The Falcon 9's first-stage booster will make its 12th flight, aiming for a recovery on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.