A secret mission to be launched by SpaceX from Kennedy space center in Florida. The satellite built by defense contractor Northrop Grumman a Virginia-based aerospace and Defense Company. The mission code named Zuma, the reason behind the mission is still unclear.
The SpaceX claims the launch in few couple of days, it recently changed the schedule and to reveal it soon. The company to take a closer look and review the test data of payloads in top portion of the rocket. SpaceX builds Falcon fairings in-house. The composite structures stand 43 feet tall and up to 17 feet in diameter atop a Falcon 9.
The rocket Zuma to launch into earth lower orbit. The mission became public in early October reported by NASASpaceflight.com with documents that SpaceX filed with federal communication for authorization of Mission 1390. Later many media outlets fixed that the flight known as Zuma to launch a Northrop Grumman payload. The US government appointed the contractor to identify a rocket then Northrop Grumman ultimately chosen the Falcon 9.
SpaceX considers Zuma as 17th mission in 2017
In past SpaceX launched two classified payloads already in receiving certification to launch military satellites in 2015. The government office have not claimed regarding the mission Zuma. Moreover, SpaceX missions have many customers as US Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office announces the launch of spy spacecraft.
SpaceX considers Zuma as 17th mission in 2017. The company launched convert space plane in September for the U.S. Air Force. The company might take up 20 launches before New Year and the only busiest private launcher company in the world.
The rocket boosters, payload fairings have become part of SpaceX’s push to make rockets reusable and reduce launch costs. The nose cone halves typically break apart and burn up as they fall back through the atmosphere and impact the water.
The nose cones protect satellites worth hundreds of millions of dollars from the stresses of a rocket’s climb through the atmosphere, including aerodynamic pressure, weather, heating and the rocket’s rumble.
NASA this month delayed a science mission’s launch aboard an Orbital ATK Pegasus rocket until next year to study a separation component on the rocket. The Taurus XL fairing destroyed NASA science satellites worth nearly $600 million combined, found multiple potential causes.
ULA joint mission between Boeing and Lockheed Martin with a perfect launch record. Completed 12 missions in 2016 compared to SpaceX’s eight successful launches and one failure.
The launching teams use the extra day to conduct some additional mission assurance work in advance of launch. SpaceX removes its live stream before the spacecraft is deployed. The idea is to leave no clues about its final destination.
