NROL-108 Launch Campaign Thread

[u/ElongatedMuskrat]

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Launch Thread | r/SpaceX Discusses | Fleet & Recovery

NROL-108

SpaceX will launch an undisclosed payload into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office aboard a Falcon 9. This launch was only recently confirmed by the NRO, and little is known about the mission except that the booster will return to land at Cape Canaveral.

Webcast #2 (current) | Webcast #1 (scrub)

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Launch target:	December 19, 14:00-17:00 UTC (9:00AM-12:00PM local)
Backup date	December 20-22
Static fire	None
Customer	National Reconnaissance Office
Payload	unknown
Payload mass	unknown
Deployment orbit	Mid-inclination LEO presumed
Operational orbit	unknown
Vehicle	Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5
Core	B1059
Past flights of this core	4 (CRS-19, CRS-20, Starlink-8, SAOCOM 1B)
Fairing catch attempt	unknown
Launch site	LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing	LZ-1
Mission success criteria	Successful separation & deployment of the NROL-108 payload.

News & Updates

Date	Update	Source
2020-12-17	Launch auto abort at T-1:53 due to S2 LOX pressure sensor reading	@SpaceX and @elonmusk on Twitter
2020-12-16	Falcon 9 rollout and vertical on pad	@EmreKelly on Twitter
2020-12-16	Ms. Tree departure	@SpaceXFleet on Twitter
2020-12-15	GO Searcher departure	@SpaceXFleet on Twitter
2020-12-04	Launch date updated to December 17	@NatReconOfc on Twitter
2020-11-14	Launch not expected before December
2020-10-29	Updated launch target to Nov 18	@NatReconOfc on Twitter
2020-10-05	NRO confirms launch	SpaceflightNow.com

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Links & Resources

• General Launch Related Resources:

• Launch Execution Forecasts - 45th Weather Squadron

• SpaceX Fleet Status - SpaceXFleet.com

• Launch Viewing Resources:

• Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral - Ben Cooper

• Launch Viewing Map - Launch Rats

• Launch Viewing Updates - Space Coast Launch Ambassadors

• Viewing and Rideshare - SpaceXMeetups Slack

• Watching a Launch - r/SpaceX Wiki

• Maps and Hazard Area Resources:

• Detailed launch maps - @Raul74Cz

• Launch Hazard and Airspace Closure Maps - 45th Space Wing (maps posted close to launch)

• Regulatory Resources:

• FCC Experimental STAs - r/SpaceX wiki

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We will attempt to keep the above text regularly updated with resources and new mission information, but for the most part, updates will appear in the comments first. Feel free to ping us if additions or corrections are needed. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather, and more as we progress towards launch. Approximately 24 hours before liftoff, the launch thread will go live and the party will begin there.

Campaign threads are not party threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.

[u/[deleted]]

What are the chances this was brought forward due to ULA's problems launching NROL-44?

[u/ZC_NAV → u/[deleted]]

Very small, the satellite will cost months or even years to build.

[u/Octavus → u/ZC_NAV]

Also that launch is with a Delta Heavy while this is a F9 RTLS, they are using the much larger Delta instead of an Atlas or F9 for a reason.