SpaceX launches secretive satellite

Long-Exposure of the launch and landing
Credit: Michael Seeley // We Report Space

At 8:00pm EST, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the first time this year. The Falcon 9 launched the 'Zuma' satellite into orbit around Earth. The intent of this government satellite is unknown as no information will be released about it. After the first and second stage separated, the second stage continued on toward orbit as the webcast coverage switched to only focus on the first stage after fairing separation, because of the classified nature of the satellite. The first stage flipped around and boosted back toward the coast and successfully landing at Landing Zone 1 making it the 17th consecutive landing for SpaceX and overall the 21st landing of the booster. Zuma was originally supposed to launch on November 16th, 2017, but was delayed due to a fairing issue that was discovered during fairing testing for another customer.

Falcon Heavy vertical at LC-39A for the first time
Credit: SpaceX

Now that Zuma launched, the next thing for SpaceX is a static fire and launch of their long awaited Falcon Heavy rocket. This three-core rocket consists of a redesigned first stage for the core booster and reused Falcon 9s that have been fitted to be side boosters. Over the last few weeks Falcon Heavy has been assembled in the hangar at LC-39a and has been raised vertical for pad fit checks. A static fire for the rocket will be conducted sometime this week with a launch scheduled for late this month.