SpaceX targets launching its Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on November 17, 2024, for the “Optus-X” mission, shortly before 5:28 p.m. EST. The launch window closes at 6:27 p.m. EST. Weather is forecasted to be good with a 95% chance.
That makes the mission’s payload, alternately called “TD7,” rather a mystery to inspire much speculation in the space community. Some regulatory filings suggest that the payload may involve Optus Networks, an Australian telecommunications company. The mission reportedly is not related to previous Optus contracts involving Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle.
B1077 will be flying for the 16th time as the Falcon 9 booster; that gives good meaning to the principle of reusability taken seriously by SpaceX. Some of the major deployments it has supported include Crew-5, CRS-28, and nine Starlink deployments. The booster will stage and try landing on a droneship called “A Shortfall of Gravitas” positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
With this launch, it marks a major milestone both for SpaceX and Launch Complex 39A. In this mission, it will equate Falcon 9 and the Space Shuttle programs at 82 launches from this historic pad. It takes SpaceX closer to NASA’s total missions launched from the site, 94, showcasing its growing dominance in space exploration.
Starting one hour before the scheduled liftoff, live coverage will be provided by Spaceflight Now. It once again reminds people of SpaceX’s capability for rapid launches, mission versatility, and the leading spaceflight company.
