New Delhi:
SpaceX is preparing to launch World's third top-secret mystery spacecraft from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Friday between 8 pm to 10 pm.
According to reports, SpaceX plans to broadcast the event live via YouTube starting about 15 minutes before launch. (You can watch the video feed at the end of this post.)
A backup two-hour launch window opens at 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 17, or 1:00 UTC on Saturday, November 18.Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will attempt to land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at CapeCanaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Launch Vehicle
The Zuma spacecraft will launch on Falcon 9, a two-stage rocket designed from the ground up by SpaceX for the reliable and cost-efficient transport of satellites and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the beginning for maximum reliability.
Falcon 9’s simple two-stage configuration minimizes the number of separation events – and with nine first-stage engines, it can safely complete its mission even in the event of an engine shutdown.
Launch Facility
Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida launch:
Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center has a history dating back to the early 1960s.Originally built to support the Apollo program, LC-39A supported the first Saturn V launch (Apollo 4), and many subsequent Apollo missions, including Apollo 11 in July 1969.
Beginning in the late 1970s, LC-39A was modified to support space shuttle launches, hosting the first and last shuttle missions to orbit in1981 and 2011, respectively.In 2014, SpaceX signed a 20-year lease with NASA for the use of Launch Complex 39A. Since then, the company has made significant upgrades to modernize the pad’s structures and ground systems, while preserving its important heritage. Extensive modifications to LC-39A have been made to support launches of both the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. These upgrades will also enable the pad to serve as the complex from which SpaceX will launch crew rotation missions to and from the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Click here to watch Live: https://www.spacex.com/webcast
