SpaceX calls off two attempts to launch 21 SDA satellites

SpaceX aborted the launch of 21 Space Development Agency satellites in the final minute of the 5 October countdown at Vandenberg Space Force Base, as the Falcon 9 was moving into its automated startup sequence. SpaceX then called off its next attempt, set for 6 October, as well. A new launch date has not been confirmed.

The mission, Tranche 1 Transport Layer A, is the fourth to carry production satellites for the agency. All 21 were built by Northrop Grumman and arrived at Vandenberg on 28 September. Booster B1103 is flying for the sixth time and is due to land at Landing Zone 4 about seven and a half minutes after liftoff.

The satellites join the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, the military's low Earth orbit network for missile tracking and secure communications. Three earlier launches have put 63 Tranche 1 satellites in orbit. The full tranche calls for 126 Transport Layer satellites, 28 Tracking Layer satellites and four missile defence demonstrators, with operational capability expected from 2027.

SourceSpaceflight Now