Question 1

What rocket is launching USSF-62?

Accepted Answer

USSF-62 is launching on the Falcon 9 Block 5.

Question 2

Who is launching USSF-62?

Accepted Answer

USSF-62 is being launched by SpaceX, a commercial launch provider founded in 2002.

Question 3

Where is USSF-62 launching from?

Accepted Answer

USSF-62 is launching from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

Question 4

What orbit is USSF-62 heading to?

Accepted Answer

USSF-62 is heading to Polar Orbit (PO).

Question 5

Is the Falcon 9 Block 5 reusable?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Falcon 9 Block 5 is designed to be reused, with boosters that can fly multiple missions.

Question 6

How many times has the Falcon 9 Block 5 flown?

Accepted Answer

The Falcon 9 Block 5 has launched 612 times to date, with 610 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the USSF-62 mission?

Accepted Answer

First Weather System Follow-on (WSF) satellite.

WSF-M (Weather System Follow-on - Microwave) is the next-generation operational environmental satellite system for the Department of Defense (DoD), to replace the microwave wavelength weather forecasting capabilities of the DMSP satellites.

Ball Aerospace has been selected in late November 2017 to be the prime contractor for 2 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) weather satellites with a passive microwave imaging radiometer instrument and hosted Government furnished energetic charged particle (ECP) sensor space weather payload developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The radiometer leverages the Ball-built Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) instrument. 

This mission will improve weather forecasting over maritime regions by taking global measurements of the atmosphere and ocean surface.

Question 8

Where is Vandenberg Space Force Base?

Accepted Answer

Vandenberg Space Force Base is on the central California coast near Lompoc, run by Space Launch Delta 30. It is the United States' main West Coast launch site and flew its first orbital launch in 1959.

Question 9

Which rockets launch from Vandenberg?

Accepted Answer

SpaceX flies Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 4E and lands boosters at the adjacent Landing Zone 4. The base hosts a range of other government and commercial launches as well.

Question 10

Why do rockets launch from Vandenberg instead of Florida?

Accepted Answer

Vandenberg's coastline lets rockets fly south over the open Pacific without crossing populated land — ideal for the polar and sun-synchronous orbits used by Earth-observation, reconnaissance and weather satellites. Florida sites favour easterly, equatorial orbits.

Question 11

Can you watch a launch from Vandenberg?

Accepted Answer

Vandenberg is an active military base with no on-base public viewing, so launches are watched from the surrounding towns and coast. The City of Lompoc, about 9 miles away, publishes a map of public viewing corridors.

USSF-62

Flight Timeline

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Frequently asked questions