SBIRS GEO-3 satellite to launch aboard Atlas V rocket

Atlas V NROL-36 standing on Launch Pad at VAFB
 (Credit: United Launch Alliance)

United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket will be launching the SBIRS GEO-3 satellite. Built by Lockheed Martin and being launched for the U.S Military to detect missile launches and provide tactical support. The launch is set for January 19th from Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida with a launch window that opens at 7:46 pm EST. SBIRS is The Space Based Infrared Systems Geosynchronous Earth Orbit and will be the third of this satellite to be launched in 2011 and will replace the old DSP (Defence Support Program) constellation that has been in operation since 1970. The satellite will help in early missile detection using infrared equipment. The rocket will fly in its 401 configuration with a 4m wide fairing and 1 Centaur second stage engine with no SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters).

Successful launch of 10 Iridium satellites by SpaceX

SpaceX has successfully launched and deployed 10 Iridium satellites for communications. As well as successfully launching the Falcon 9 back to flight, they landed the first stage back on the droneship JRTI (Just Read The Instructions) for the first time from the West Coast. During the livestream after first stage separation, the video feed from the first stage continued all the way down to the landing on the droneship without losing connection for the first time. Becoming the first US Launch of the new year, SpaceX launches with a successful launch and return to flight.

SpaceX to launch 10 Iridium satellites

Falcon 9 vertical at VAFB, California
Photo: SpaceX

Tomorrow (Saturday, January 14th) at 12:54 pm EST/5:54 pm UTC SpaceX will return to flight with the launch of 10 satellites for IridiumNEXT atop a Falcon 9. This will be the first launch by SpaceX after their launch pad anomaly during fueling of AMOS-6 which was caused by a fault in the second stage helium tank. The Falcon 9 will be launching from VAFB (Vandenburg Airforce Base), California at Space Launch Complex 4E. The first stage will then separate approximately 2 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff and will be attempting to launch back on the droneship "Just Read The Instructions". If the first stage lands successfully, it will be the first time they've landed on JRTI. These 10 satellites are the first of at

Official Iridium-1 patch
Photo: SpaceX

least 70 in the constellation that SpaceX will be launching for Iridium. They will replace the world's largest commercial satellite network of low-earth orbit satellites which will become one of the largest tech upgrades in history. The satellites will be deployed 10 at a time by SpaceX and all of at least 70 will be in orbit by 2018.