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[ Sun, Dec 01st 2024 ] - Tim Hastings
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[ Sun, Dec 01st 2024 ] - Tim Hastings
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SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites, 20 Starlink spacecraft from California


Published on 2024-12-01 05:02:28 - Tim Hastings, N@N
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  • NROL-167 marked the 100th flight of 2024 for a Falcon 9, extending SpaceX's record for most liftoffs in a single year. The 2024 tally for the workhorse rocket now stands at 118. Nearly 70% of those missions have been Starlink launches.

The article from Space.com discusses SpaceX's upcoming launch scheduled for early November 30, 2023, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission involves deploying two next-generation U.S. spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) alongside 20 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites. The satellites for the NRO are part of a secretive program aimed at enhancing the U.S. intelligence capabilities. The Falcon 9 rocket, which will carry out the launch, has previously been used for similar dual-purpose missions, combining national security payloads with commercial satellite deployments. This launch not only underscores SpaceX's role in national security but also highlights the company's ongoing efforts to expand its Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband coverage.

Read the Full Space.com Article at:
[ https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-to-launch-next-gen-us-spy-satellites-20-starlink-spacecraft-from-california-early-nov-30 ]
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