Space Systems Command (SSC) and its mission partners successfully launched the US Space Force (USSF)-124 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket February 14th at 5:30 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
The satellites for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) were safely delivered to their intended orbit. USSF-124's mission was to place a new generation of missile detection, missile tracking and networked communications satellites into orbit, bringing new capabilities to the nation and its Allies.
“We’re proud to support both the MDA and SDA with this co-manifested National Security Space Launch,” said US Space Force Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for SSC’s Launch Execution Delta. “We worked side-by-side with our launch service provider and space vehicle partners to achieve the mission on-time and with precision. This mission supports our global warfighters and people across the globe in every facet of life."
This was the first NSSL mission of 2024 to use a flight-proven Falcon 9 booster that previously supported six earlier missions. The rapid reusability of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 benefits all launch customers and the Space Force’s continued partnership with SpaceX provides for manifest flexibility and cost savings.
"We're reaping the benefits of this innovation with every launch. We began working this concept seven years ago, understanding the economic benefits and efficiencies that come with this formula and now we're executing to a common plan,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, AATS mission director at SSC. “As we move forward together with SpaceX, we're methodically expanding reuse to leverage the benefits for the USSF and our space vehicle teammates. The mission team was able to add the Tranche 0 satellites to USSF-124 in under 30 days, less than six months from the then scheduled launch date. This unprecedented responsiveness is a needed capability for the Space Force to confront today’s threat environment.”
Space Systems Command is the US Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.
For more information visit: https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil