SpaceX F9 - GPS-III SV06 - SLC-40

Launch Date: January 18
Launch Window: 7:10am EST (4:10am PST, 12:10 UTC (15 minute launch window)
Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Booster Recovery: ASDS - ASOG
Booster: B1077-2
Fairings: New (Both)
Mass: 3,880 kg (8,553 lb)
Orbit: Semi-synchronous MEO
Yearly Launch Number: 4th

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will the U.S. Space Force’s sixth third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin.

GPS III/IIIF​

The GPS III/IIIF are the most powerful Global Positioning System satellites ever built for the U.S. Space Force. Explore GPS production and capabilities.

www.lockheedmartin.com

GPS Block III - Wikipedia​

en.wikipedia.org

GPS-3 (Navstar-3)​

GPS-3 (Global Positioning System) or Navstar-3 (Navigation System using Timing And Ranging) are the first evolution stage of the third generation o...

space.skyrocket.de

 

[808?]

 

[Grendal]

Beautiful early morning launch. Everything successful so far: launch, MECO, separation, orbit, and booster landing. Long coast phase and SECO-2 before payload separation.

 

[ecarfan]

Looks like a successful mission.

But what was this? A leak in the engine bell cooling line?

 

[Grendal]

Looks like a successful mission.

But what was this? A leak in the engine bell cooling line?

View attachment 897077View attachment 897078View attachment 897079

No. That is completely normal. It's a relief valve for the Merlin engine. It ices up (frozen oxygen) and typically just before engine start the chunks are blown off like in the pictures.