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SpaceX has endeavored to make rocket launches commonplace with the ultimate goal of launching a rocket being similar to flying a jet plane; land, inspect, refuel, load, and go. They have made great strides in this area and in the next two weeks are impressively stepping up their cadence! According to Spaceflight Now their next three launches are scheduled as follows:
June 23 - Falcon 9 • BulgariaSat 1
Launch window: 1810-2010 GMT (2:10-4:10 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the BulgariaSat 1 communications satellite. BulgariaSat 1 will provide direct-to-home television broadcast and data communications services over southeast Europe for Bulsatcom. The payload will be the first geostationary communications satellite owned by a Bulgarian company. The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage will be a re-flown booster. Delayed from June 15, June 17 and June 19. [June 18]
June 25 - Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 11-20
Launch time: 2024 GMT (4:24 p.m. EDT; 1:24 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. Delayed from October, December and April. Moved forward from June 29. [June 19]
July 1 - Falcon 9 • Intelsat 35e
Launch window: 2335-0035 GMT (7:35-8:35 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Intelsat 35e communications satellite. The high-throughput Intelsat 35e satellite is part of Intelsat's "Epic" fleet, providing broadband, video and mobile communications services over eastern North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa. Delayed from April. [June 8]
See also: Space Flights News launch schedule.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 22 2017, @12:00AM (4 children)
EM: We should really colonize Mars and the Moon. Really really.
NEWS: Multiple rocket launches, official missions vague.
EM: We really need to get on this guys!
(seeking forgiveness rather than permission)
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Thursday June 22 2017, @12:34AM (3 children)
By showing they can manage a tight schedule. They show they can also load up a interplanetary space ship. And if there's people on board a such vehicle. They don't want to wait weeks for the ground facility to prepare another rocket.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday June 22 2017, @01:09AM (2 children)
Yes, but its a circus trick.
Read how many of those windows were jiggered just to have this demonstration of close launches.
Its not something a company that size can manage routinely. That would take much larger staff and facilities.
I'm more impressed that HE HAS THREE ROCKETS to launch. This private guy has three rockets and 3 payloads!
I can't recall when NASA ever had three missions that close together, although when you add in military and scientific and commercial payloads there must have been a few times.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by kaszz on Thursday June 22 2017, @01:22AM
If this run shows that tight launch schedules can be done but that more staff and facilities are needed. Then it's just to go ahead and increase those resources.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 22 2017, @06:33PM
Maybe not three, but Gemini 8 was launched less than 2 hours after the Gemini 8 Agena Target Vehicle.
link [nasa.gov]