Science
SpaceX successfully launches the US Space Force GPS III spacecraft
SpaceX has deployed a GPS III satellite on behalf of the US client. Space Force, the second generation GPS III satellite deployed this year for the U.S. Army. The first took off in June, and the third overall GPS III was put in orbit by SpaceX. This is the fourth that will provide the U.S. with advanced GPS navigation technologies, including enhanced jamming capability to protect against interference.
SpaceX used the first stage of the launch of the brand new Falcon 9 and successfully recovered the rocket booster from a controlled landing on its drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The company has also reported that its payload has reached a decent orbit and is now on its way to the deployment point where it can release the GPS spacecraft for its final orbital insertion.
This flight flew from Cape Canaveral , Florida, and was the second attempt to deliver this payload, after an attempt at the beginning of September had been cancelled due to the early start-up of two engines that forced the launch sequence to be shut down two seconds prior to the start-up. SpaceX investigated the problem and discovered that it was due to certain trace quantities of masking material used to shield engine components accessing the fuel lines. This prompted a shift in the design and testing process of the engine.
SpaceX also postponed the upcoming NASA Crew-1 mission, but today's launch could be a further confirmation that the crucial, historic flight of an ISS operating crew made up of three NASA astronauts and one JAXA astronaut would proceed as scheduled on 14 November, barring any further delays.
