Falcon 1 Flight 3 : Department of Defense ORS Office, ATSB and NASA
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The third Falcon 1 launch is scheduled for August 2, 2008. The lift-off will take place from SpaceX's Falcon 1 launch site at the Kwajalein Atoll, approximately 2500 miles southwest of Hawaii. The Falcon 1 launch facilities are situated on Omelek Island, part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) at United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA).
This launch will carry the Department of Defense Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office's first Jumpstart mission payload. The Jumpstart mission aims to establish a preliminary framework for responsive contracting, and to demonstrate the ability to rapidly integrate and execute a mission, from initial call-up to launch. SpaceDev's Trailblazer bus was selected as the primary payload by the ORS Office after the Jumpstart Pre-shipment Review, conducted on May 20, 2008 (Press Release).
In line with the Jumpstart mission philosophy of responsive contracting, ATSB of Malaysia will fly a RideShare Adapter (RSA), which enables multi-payload manifesting and promotes contract-to-launch times of less than one year. (ATSB will be the primary payload provider on the fourth flight of Falcon 1, scheduled later in 2008.) SpaceX will also fly technology onboard that offers the potential to greatly lower the cost of mission operations. Additional payloads include two cube satellites from NASA, a memorial flight from Space Services, Inc and digital images of artwork from over 400 students in McGregor, TX, where SpaceX owns and operates an engine and structural test facility.
Launch Coverage
The Flight 3 Webcast will provide live coverage of launch activities. The webcast will be accessible via a link on the SpaceX home page at www.SpaceX.com.
MEDIA RESOURCES
Click the links below to access the following resources:
- Company Website
- Electronic Press Kit
- Video Footage (available shortly after launch)
- Email your name/affilitation to media@spacex.com to be added to the SpaceX press list.
All media inquiries should be directed to Diane Murphy, VP, Marketing and Communications at 310.363.6714 or media@spacex.com.
Mission Updates
The latest pictures and information leading up to launch will be posted here, with the most recent at the top.
Falcon 1 on the launch pad.
Final payload installation and Quality Assurance checks (L) and Encapsulation (R) have been completed.
Falcon 1 First and Second Stages on the tracks in the SpaceX hanger on Omelek Island.
Falcon 1 First Stage arrives in Guam.
Falcon 1 First Stage (development hardware) during recovery training operations in the San Diego harbor.
The Falcon 1 First Stage, bound for Kwajalein (via Guam), is loaded on a ship in Long Beach, California.
The Falcon 1 First Stage is loaded on a truck bound for Long Beach, California.
The Falcon 1 First Stage is shrink-wrapped in SpaceX's Hawthorne, California headquarters to protect it during shipment to Kwajalein.
The Falcon 1 First Stage awaits final preparations in SpaceX's Hawthorne, California headquarters prior to shipment to Kwajalein.
*Continental United States (CONUS) date