In the first half of what is hopefully a launch double-header from the Space Coast over the next eight hours, late this afternoon, SpaceX successfully sent the USSF-124 payload to orbit from Pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral aboard a Falcon 9. Approximately eight and one-half minutes later, the first stage touched down safely at Landing Zone 2 at CCSFS, approximately 5.6 miles from where it had launched only minutes earlier.

The payload for today’s mission was two satellites, one manufactured by L3Harris and the other by Northrop Grumman. They are part of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) mission for the US Missile Defense Agency, and after today’s successful launch, they will ostensibly serve in the Space Force’s detection and defense systems to defend US interests.

The launch occurred at the opening of the launch window on a crisp winter day in Central Florida, with crystalline blue skies and few clouds. Locals and visiting tourists alike lined A1A, US1, and the shoreline in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach to watch the launch and were treated to the customary sonic boom that marks a returning booster.

Next Launch: SpaceX, Falcon 9, NASA CLPS IM-1

After a one-day delay, SpaceX, NASA and Intuitive Machines will attempt to launch the NASA CLPS IM-1 mission from Pad LC39-A at Kennedy Space Center. The launch was initially planned for early this morning, but was delayed due issues that =SpaceX and NASA identified as “off-nominal methane temperatures prior to stepping into methane load ” of Intuitive Machines’ NOVA-C ‘Odysseus’ lander. Launch is schedule for 1:05 AM EST