2020’s final SpaceX rocket launch to bring sonic booms to Central Florida

Cape Canaveral, Fla. – Weather conditions seem to be largely favorable for the Space Coast’s final launch of the year on Thursday, a mission aimed at incorporating sonic booms generated by the descent of the Falcon 9 booster from Cape Canaveral.

If the timetable catches up, SpaceX will face 70% “go-to” conditions for the launch of a secret intelligence satellite owned by the National Reconnaissance Office Fees at the Kennedy Space Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The exact time of a liftoff in that three-hour window has not yet been published.

“A strong high-pressure system, moving from South Texas to the east, will bring cold to dry air to the space coast overnight until Wednesday morning,” the 45th Space Squadron of the Space Force said Tuesday. “The primary weather concern for Thursday is that the liftoff wind and thick cloud level rule is associated with any delayed forward cloud cover.”

Although not included in the “percent go” calculation on Pad 39A, forecasters noted that there could be a moderate risk of upper-level winds by Thursday morning.

After the liftoff, the Falcon 9′s’ 162-foot first-stage booster will detach from the second stage, then begin descending towards Florida. Its target: Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, about 9 miles south of Pad 39.

As it descends to the top of the cap, space coast residents and viewers should be prepared for the triple sonic booms generated by the booster, which is innocent for a few fights and car alarms.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, known as NROL-108, was selected by the NRO for this mission. Although the intelligence agency rarely provides details about its payloads, Mission Artwork released Tuesday The angry, fanned gorilla shows that “power through the chest.”

“Gorillas are peaceful animals but can be fierce when needed.” Said via Twitter. “Like the Gorillas, our NROL-108 mission demonstrates the NRO’s commitment to protecting US combatants, interests and allies, it is constantly vigilant and ready to defend itself.”

Thursday’s inauguration marks the 31st year of the year for Space Coast.

Launch details

• Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Mission: NRO Intelligence Satellite
• Start time: TBD
• Launch Window: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Start the pad at the Kennedy Space Center: 39A
• Landing: Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Weather: 70% “Go”

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