SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying classified NROL-76 surveillance satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office successfully launches shortly after sunrise from Launch Complex 39A on 1 May 2017 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 1st stage accomplished successful ground landing at the Cape nine minutes later. Credit: Ken Kremer/Kenkremer.com
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The super secret 'Zuma' mission claimed by no U.S. government entity – not even the elusive NRO spy agency ! - and whose goals are veiled in virtually complete darkness– is poised for a dark of night blastoff on a SpaceX Falcon rocket Thursday evening, Nov. 16, from the Florida Space Coast.
One of the very few tidbits of information we can absolutely confirm (and not deny) is that the clandestine 'Zuma' Spysat is now targeted for a nighttime launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from seaside Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a lengthy 2 hour window.
The launch window at pad 39A opens at 8.m. EST. It extends for two full hours until 10 a.m. EST.
We can further confirm that the launch was postponed a day to Thursday from the originally Wednesday night target ostensibly to deal with last minute 'mission assurance. Issue to insure the rocket and payload are ready for a launch upon which SpaceX's reputation is on the line for future high value national security payloads of the most critical importance to the US governments Defense and Spy agencies
"SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, Nov. 16 for launch of the Zuma mission," said SpaceX spokesman John Tayor.
"Both Falcon 9 and the payload remain healthy; teams will use the extra day to conduct some additional mission assurance work in advance of launch."
Furthermore the two stage 229-foot-tall (70-meter-tall) Falcon 9 rocket was raised to vertical launch position later today Wednesday afternoon Nov. 15.
However we don't know anything about the 'Zuma' payloads characteristics and vital statistics - despite the seemingly endless leaks streaming out of Washington these days.
So quite naturally we're all curious for any nugget of information from which we might draw some reasonable conclusions based on the scientific method of analysis.
SpaceX Falcon 9 stands erect at sunrise with KoreaSat5A DTH TV commercial comsat atop Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, FL, poised for Halloween eve liftoff on 30 Oct 2017. As seen from inside the pad perimeter. Credit: Ken Kremer/Kenkremer.com
Watch for Ken's continuing onsite coverage of SpaceX Zuma, KoreaSat-5A & SES-11, ULA NROL-52 and NASA and space mission reports direct from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news.
Learn more about the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Zuma launch on Nov 16, 2017, upcoming Falcon Heavy and CRS-13 resupply launches, NASA missions, ULA Atlas & Delta launches, SpySats and more at Ken's upcoming outreach events at Kennedy Space Center Quality Inn, Titusville, FL:
Nov 17: "SpaceX Falcon 9 Zuma launch, ULA Atlas NRO NROL-52 spysat launch, SpaceX SES-11, CRS-13 resupply launches to the ISS, Intelsat35e, BulgariaSat 1 and NRO Spysat, SLS, Orion, Commercial crew capsules from Boeing and SpaceX , Heroes and Legends at KSCVC, GOES-R weather satellite launch, OSIRIS-Rex, Juno at Jupiter, InSight Mars lander, SpaceX and Orbital ATK cargo missions to the ISS, ULA Delta 4 Heavy spy satellite, Curiosity and Opportunity explore Mars, Pluto and more," Kennedy Space Center Quality Inn, Titusville, FL, evenings
Zuma satellite mission patch. Credit: SpaceX/Northrop GrummanMysterious CLIO payload shrouded beneath 4-meter-diameter payload fairing in this up close view of the top of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket prior to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Credit: Ken Kremer - kenkremer.comUnited Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the CLIO mission for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company launched at 8:10 p.m. EDT September 16, 2014 from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Credit: Ken Kremer - kenkremer.com
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