Space Systems Command and SpaceX Gear Up for USSF-52 Falcon Heavy Mission

Written by Copernical Team Friday, 08 December 2023 10:13

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 08, 2023

Space Systems Command (SSC) and SpaceX are making final preparations to launch the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-52 mission into orbit. The Falcon Heavy mission is set to launch during a ten-minute window that opens Dec. 10 at 8:14 p.m. Eastern (5:14 p.m. Pacific) from the historic Launch Complex (LC)-39A at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida USSF-52 is tasked with carrying out the s

Space Systems Command and SpaceX Gear Up for USSF-52 Falcon Heavy Mission
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 08, 2023

Space Systems Command (SSC) and SpaceX are making final preparations to launch the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-52 mission into orbit. The Falcon Heavy mission is set to launch during a ten-minute window that opens Dec. 10 at 8:14 p.m. Eastern (5:14 p.m. Pacific) from the historic Launch Complex (LC)-39A at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida

USSF-52 is tasked with carrying out the seventh mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an experimental program aimed at showcasing the potential for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Space Force.

Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space and Commander of Space Launch Delta 45, expressed the readiness of the team, stating, "We're nearly complete with the pre-launch work for our next National Security Space launch, which is the third Falcon Heavy used to launch a national security payload." She further emphasized the dedication of the team and their commitment to enhancing launch capabilities to meet national security needs, as well as fortifying spaceports to ensure uninterrupted access to orbit.

This upcoming launch comes as part of a remarkable year for SSC and SpaceX collaboration. In early January, the NSSL Falcon Heavy, on mission USSF-67, was successfully launched. Remarkably, just 61 hours later, a Falcon 9 rocket from the Eastern Range carried a GPS satellite into orbit. Both launches were executed by the Space Systems Command crew.

The collaboration between the Assured Access to Space team and SpaceX has proven pivotal, demonstrating increased agility and resilience in executing crucial launches. These qualities are of paramount importance as the U.S. Space Force prepares for an ambitious and demanding launch schedule, particularly with the deployment of numerous, proliferated constellations on the horizon.

Space Systems Command, as the field command of the U.S. Space Force, holds the responsibility of acquiring and delivering resilient capabilities and cutting-edge technologies to safeguard the nation's strategic interests in and from space. With a substantial $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, SSC actively collaborates with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academic institutions, and allied organizations to drive innovation and stay ahead of emerging threats.