These factors usually impact their on-orbit performance, an unavoidable due to the established launch practices. Consequently, these additional passengers had to make do with going into an imposed orbit whenever the large satellite was ready. Smallsats would hitch a ride with the launcher booked for the bigger spacecraft. Typically, this kind of mission implied waiting for a primary payload - a larger one - to be ready for launch. Nevertheless, we will present below what is known so far. Many entities are providing payloads - considering both satellites and hosted ones - making it difficult thoroughly list them. Other integration providers listed are Exolaunch, Maverick, and Alba Orbital. However, sources report this mission will include OTVs from Momentus and D-Orbit. It is usually published only very close to the date of liftoff, with last-minute payload additions and stand-downs. This Transporter mission’s manifest is not entirely known at the time of writing. Additionally, there are hosted payloads with a purpose of their own and dispensers from different providers. This mission consists of a flight to a Sun-synchronous orbit, where many satellites and orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs, also called space tugs) will be deployed. To meet the demands of the New Space market, SpaceX developed the Smallsat Rideshare Program - more on it below - Transporter-7 being a part of it. As a primary goal, the launcher’s second stage will deploy the satellites and other vehicles into a Sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 500 km (~310 mi) in altitude and 97.4° in inclination. Following the reentry burn, the first stage will touch down onto Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4), close to the launch pad. The rocket will liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.Īfter stage separation, the booster will perform a burn to change its trajectory and return to where it came from. Through this, the company aims to place in orbit a large number of spacecraft of different natures provided by an assortment of clients. SpaceX is launching the Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5 rocket to carry out the seventh dedicated mission of its Smallsat Rideshare Program: Transporter-7. – 151st Falcon 9 flight with a flight-proven booster The fairing halves will be recovered from the water ~543 km (~337 mi) downrange by NRC Quest Will they be attempting to recover the fairings? Will they be attempting to recover the first stage?īack on land, on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4), at ~400 m (~1,300 ft) from the launch pad TBD, but presumbly to a circular ~500 km (~310 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at ~97.4° inclination Unknown, but in the 5,000 kg (~11,100 lb) ballpark Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E),Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA Transporter-7, the seventh SpaceX dedicated small satellite rideshare missionįalcon 9 Block 5 B1063-10 56.48-day turnaround Featured image credit: SpaceX Liftoff Time
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