The US Space Force's upcoming launch marks a significant achievement for its commercial and government mission partners. The USSF-44 mission combines innovations for the launch and space vehicles, making this a truly unique and important mission.
"This launch culminates years of effort by a dedicated team comprised of mission¬-focused people from across the US Space Force and SpaceX. The Falcon Heavy is an important element of our overall lift capability, and we're very excited to be ready for launch," said Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space. "Every national security launch brings important capabilities to the nation, and investments in space capabilities increase the effectiveness of operations in every other domain--the US military is better connected, more informed, faster, and precise because of Space. Along with our partners, we make that happen efficiently, more affordably than ever before, and of course, very reliably."
The Long Duration Propulsive EEL V Secondary Payload Adapter (LDPE ESPA)-2 and Shepherd Demonstration will carry a variety of payloads that will promote and accelerate the advancement of space technology for the benefit of future Programs of Record.
"We've worked side-by-side with SpaceX to ensure the Falcon Heavy meets all our requirements and has a successful launch/' said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, Mission Director for USSF-44. "This will be the first Falcon Heavy launch in over three years and we're excited to get these payloads to space. This launch is an important milestone and continues a robust partnership that is cementing a capability that will serve the nation for years to come."
The USSF-44 mission will launch from the historic Space Launch Complex (SLC)- 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. SpaceX will provide a live simulcast that will begin approximately ten minutes before the launch and conclude after touchdown of the side boosters at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Landing Zones (LZ)-1 and -2.
Space Systems Command is the US Space Force field command responsible for rapidly developing, acquiring, equipping, fielding and sustaining lethal and resilient space capabilities. SSC mission capability areas include launch acquisition and operations, communications and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), space sensing, battle management command, control and communications (BMC3), and space domain awareness & combat power. SSC is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif.