Launch of the final SpaceX rocket in 2020 to bring sonic explosions to central Florida

CAP CANAVERAL, Fla. – Weather conditions seem especially favorable for the last launch of the space coast on Thursday, a mission that plans to include sound booms that shake the Earth generated by the descent of a Falcon 9 impeller to Cape Canaveral.

If the schedules are maintained, SpaceX will face 70% of the “go” conditions of the Kennedy Space Center during the launch of a new secret intelligence satellite owned by the National Reconnaissance Office of 9 to 12 hours. The exact take-off time of this three-hour window has not yet been announced.

“Overnight through Wednesday to Thursday morning, a strong high-pressure system that will move east of South Texas will bring cooler, drier air to the space coast,” the 45th Meteorological Squadron said Tuesday. of the Space Force. “Thursday’s main weather concern is takeoff winds and the thick cloud layer rule associated with any persistent frontal cloud cover.”

While not included in the calculation of the percentage to go to platform 39A, forecasts indicated that higher-level winds could have a moderate risk on Thursday morning.

After takeoff, the 162-foot Falcon 9’s first stage reinforcement will separate from the second stage and then begin its descent into Florida. Its goal: Landing Area 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is about 9 miles south of Block 39A.

As it descends towards the tip of the Cape, residents and spectators of the Space Coast should be prepared for the sound triplets generated by the booster, which are harmless except for a few scares and activated car alarms.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was selected by the NRO for this mission, known as NROL-108. While the intelligence agency rarely provides details about its payloads, the mission artwork was released on Tuesday shows an angry gorilla with eyes hitting his chest next to the text that says, “Peace through force.”

“Gorillas are peaceful animals, but they can be ferocious when necessary,” the NGO said he said via Twitter. “Like the gorilla, our NROL-108 mission is constantly monitored and ready to defend itself, demonstrating NRO’s commitment to protecting U.S. fighters, interests, and allies.”

Thursday’s launch will mark the 31st of the year for the Space Coast.

Release details

• Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Mission: NRO intelligence satellite
• Release time: TBD
• Launch window: from 9.00 to 12.00 ET
• Launch: 39A at the Kennedy Space Center
• Landing: Landing Area 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Time: 70%

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