GPS Navigation Satellite for US Space Force Encapsulated for June 30 Launch

Up Close view of nose cone and mission logo atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket prior to launch of GPS III SV01 mission on Dec. 23, 2018 for the US Air Force from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL – file photo. GPS III SV03 mission is targeted for launch June 30, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

29 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL –  The newest GPS III series navigations satellite for the U.S. military and the Space Force has been encapsulated inside its payload fairing and transported to the launch site joining atop a brand new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for a launch planned on Tuesday, June 30 – and the weather outlook is improving. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/gpsiii-sv03-navsat-for-us-space-force-encapsulated-for-launch-june-30/

NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Launch Delayed to July 22

Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is being prepared for encapsulation in the United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing on June 18, 2020. Launch targeted for July 22. Credit: NASA/Christian Mangano

27 June 2020

Ken Kremer –  - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launch has been delayed to July 22 due to contaminations concerns as the final encapsulation process was underway at the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/nasas-mars-2020-perseverance-rover-launch-delayed-to-july-22/

NASA Headquarters Named in Honor of ‘Hidden Figure’ Mary W. Jackson

NASA’s Headquarters building has now been named after Mary Jackson. Mary Winston Jackson (1921–2005) successfully overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become a professional aerospace engineer and leader in ensuring equal opportunities for future generations. Mary Jackson grew up in Hampton, Virginia. After graduating with highest honors from high school, she then continued her education at Hampton Institute, earning her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Mathematics and Physical Science. Following graduation, Mary taught in Maryland prior to joining NASA. Mary retired from the NASA Langley Research Center in 1985 as an Aeronautical Engineer after 34 years. Credits: NASA

27 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer –  - SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced that the agency’s headquarters building in Washington, D.C., will be named in honor of Mary W. Jackson, the first African American female engineer at NASA.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/nasa-headquarters-named-in-honor-of-hidden-figure-mary-w-jackson/

SpaceX Scrubs Next Starlink Falcon 9 Launch 3 Hours Before Liftoff, New Date TBD: Photos

Rare view of 2 SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets raised vertical on 2 pads 39A and 40 – fully integrated Starlink rocket at left pad39A and booster minus GPSIII payload for USSF to right of giant LOX tank pad 40 . Both static fired successfully about 16 hours apart on June 24 & 25. Launches were targeting June 26 & 30 but Starlink launch was scrubbed on June 26 and a new date has yet to be announced. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

26 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/TITUSVILLE, FL –  SpaceX engineers scrubbed the next launch of their Starlink broadband internet satellite constellation less than 3 hours before the planned liftoff this afternoon, Friday, June 26, of the 5x recycled Falcon 9 - in order to conduct further pre-checks at the pad.  

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/spacex-scrubs-next-starlink-falcon-9-launch-3-hours-before-liftoff-new-date-tbd/

SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Static Fire Test for GPS Launch – 2nd in 16 Hours with 2 Falcons on 2 Launch Pads as Starlink Sats Awaits Liftoff: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 1O a.m.   EDT on June 25 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for GPS III Space Vehicle 03 mission targeted for launch June 30, 2020 at 3:55 p.m. ET – as seen from the Indian River, Titusville.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

25 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL –  In a remarkable sign of their swiftly increasing launch cadence SpaceX engineers carried out another hot fire engine test this morning, Thursday, Jun 25, for next week’s GPS III Space Vehicle 03 navigation satellite launch – and it comes as the second in just under 16 hours on the heels of after another test fire yesterday using 2 different Falcon 9 rockets at 2 nearby launch pads for 2 different missions on Florida’s Space Coast – and its all as the their next batch of Starlink internet comsats await liftoff Friday afternoon, June 26.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/spacex-completes-falcon-9-hot-fire-for-gps-launch-2nd-in-16-hours-with-2-falcons-on-2-launch-pads-as-starlink-sats-awaits-liftoff-photos/

SpaceX Completes Static Fire Test for Next Starlink launch Friday June 26: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 6:30 p.m.   EDT on June 24 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for 10^th Starlink mission targeted for launch June 26, 2020 at 4:18 a.m. ET – as seen from the Indian River, Titusville.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

25 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM


TITUSVILLE, FL –  SpaceX is now set to launch the 3^rd batch of satellites for their Starlink broadband internet constellation this month on Friday June 26 after engineers carried out a brief static hot fire test of the recycled Falcon 9 first stage engines yesterday, Wednesday, June 24 – and the weather looks promising.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/spacex-completes-static-fire-test-for-next-spacex-starlink-launch-friday-june-26/

ULA Completes Countdown Wet Dress Rehearsal of Atlas V Rocket for NASA Mars Perseverance Rover Launch: Photos

Vigorous venting of liquid oxygen LOX observed as joint NASA and ULA launch team conducts countdown demonstration Wet Demonstration Rehearsal on Atlas V rocket on June 22, 2020 to prepare for launch of NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover on July 20, 2020 from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As seen from Playalinda Beach, FL with beachcombers, bathers and birds. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

22 June 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

PLAYALINDA BEACH, FL – The joint United Launch Alliance and NASA launch team completed the critical launch countdown Wet Dress Rehearsal or WDR demonstration test Monday afternoon - thereby achieving a major milestone towards liftoff of NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover a month from now on the firms venerable Atlas V rocket. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/ula-completes-wet-dress-rehearsal-of-atlas-v-rocket-for-nasa-mars-perseverance-rover-launch-photos/