[ad_1]
SpaceX in 2020 shipped astronauts in orbit for the first time and i saw the explosive debut of his latest spaceship prototype. But it still has one more launch planned to wrap up 2020.
A Falcon 9 rocket is ready to send a new spy satellite into space for the US Office of National Reconnaissance Saturday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch was initially scheduled for Thursday morning, but was delayed after some irregular pressure readings triggered an automatic abort.
The classified national security mission is designated NROL-108 and will be the sixth launch of 2020 for the NRO.
Like most other NRO releases, this one has a somewhat cryptic poster and tagline, in the form of a cartoon gorilla beating its chest and the phrase “peace through strength.”
“Gorillas are peaceful animals but they can be fierce when necessary,” the NRO explained on Twitter. “Like the gorilla, our # NROL108 the mission is constantly alert and ready to defend its own. ”
Gorillas are peaceful animals, but they can be fierce when necessary. Like the gorilla, our # NROL108 The mission is constantly alert and ready to defend its own, demonstrating the NRO’s commitment to protecting U.S. fighters, interests, and allies. NET scheduled launch Dec. 17 with @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/M5k7obXk08
– NRO (@NatReconOfc) December 14, 2020
A recent NRO mission, launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on November 13, featured a mysterious theme from The Lord of the Rings, which included an Elvish script.
“I think we only have a few Lord of the Rings fans,” an NRO spokesperson later told me by email.
Weather forecasts look favorable for Saturday’s mission to take off during its three-hour launch window between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. PT (9 a.m. to noon ET). The Falcon 9’s first-stage thruster will attempt to land on the ground at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX will live stream the launch and you can watch it above.
[ad_2]
