LAUNCH TIME | June 19, 2022 - 06:27:00 |
LAUNCH PROVIDER | SpaceX |
CUSTOMER | Globalstar |
ROCKET | Falcon 9 Block 5 - Booster 1061 |
LAUNCH SITE | Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida |
PAYLOAD MASS | 700 Kg |
DESTINATION | Low Earth Orbit (LEO) |
LANDING SITE | Just Read The Instructions |
WEATHER | - |
SpaceX will launch the Globalstar-2 FM-15 satellite on a Falcon 9. A secret satellite for the US government may be on board the rocket.
This will be the eighth flight for B1061.
A few hours after the satellites are released, the second stage will turn on its engine to perform a deorbit maneuver and disintegrate into the Earth's atmosphere. Re-entering the atmosphere avoids the creation of new space debris.
What is Globalstar-2?
The Globalstar constellation of satellites aims to deliver real-time digital voice, data and fax transmissions from anywhere in the world. Each satellite weighs about 700 kg and is equipped with 16 transponders covering from the C-band to the S-band.
Each satellite is built by Alcatel Alenia Space. Satellites use the ELiTeBus-1000 which has power and propulsion capabilities. These propulsion capabilities allow the satellite to soar into its final orbit
Falcon 9
The Falcon 9 Block 5 is SpaceX's partially reusable two-stage launch vehicle. The vehicle consists of a reusable first stage, a consumable second stage and a reusable fairing pair.
The first stage The Falcon 9 first stage contains 9 Merlin 1D engines optimized for sea level. Each engine, powered by RP-1 and liquid oxygen (LOx), produces 845 kN of thrust at sea level.
After the separation from the second stage, the booster starts up some of the 9 engines to make a landing on the Landing Zones located on the coast or on the droneships located in the open sea.
The second stage The second stage is the only expendable part of the Falcon 9. It contains a single Merlin 1D Vacuum motor that produces 992 kN of thrust. The second stage is capable of several ignitions, allowing the Falcon 9 to place loads in different orbits.
Fairings The Falcon 9 fairing is made up of two reusable halves. The first half is called the active half and houses the pneumatics for the separation system while the other is the passive half.
Both fairing halves feature thrusters and a parachute that are used to gently touch the fairing half into the ocean
The official live stream will start approximately at T- 10 minutes.