SpaceX launches batch of satellites for Space Systems Command

SpaceX launches batch of satellites for Space Systems Command
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 15, 2024

The Space Systems Command (SSC) of the U.S. Space Force, in coordination with SpaceX, has completed the successful launch of six critical satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This National Security Space Launch (NSSL), known as the USSF-124 mission, plays a crucial role in enhancing the United States' missile detection and defense capabilities.

The satellites, including two for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and four for the Space Development Agency (SDA), were deployed into Earth orbit. The launch took place on schedule at 5:30 p.m. EST, following a comprehensive Launch Readiness Review that confirmed all systems were operational and ready for the mission.

This mission marks the eighth NSSL use of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket since December 2018 and is the second mission under the NSSL Phase 2 contract awarded by SSC to SpaceX in 2020. Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for SSC's Launch Execution Delta, commented on the mission, stating, "With our team assembled here on the Space Coast, we successfully launched the USSF-124 satellites, continuing to strengthen America's defense and adding stability in a dynamic global environment. It reflects our commitment in the Space Force."

SpaceX's involvement in the mission included the recovery of the Falcon 9's first stage booster, allowing for its reuse in future launches. This practice aligns with efforts to make space exploration more sustainable and cost-effective, demonstrating the practicality of reusable launch technology in critical national security missions.

SSC, as the field command responsible for the U.S. Space Force's acquisition and development of space capabilities, oversees a significant space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense. The command works alongside various defense, industry, and academic partners to advance the United States' strategic advantage in space.

The mission's live broadcast on SpaceX's website allowed global audiences to witness the launch and the booster's return to Landing Zone (LZ)-2 at Cape Canaveral, showcasing the operational success of the mission.

This successful launch underscores the effective collaboration between the military and commercial sectors in space operations, highlighting the ongoing advancements in space technology that support national and global security. With the USSF-124 satellites now operational in orbit, SSC and its mission partners have achieved another milestone in space capability development.