SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
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Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#2[deleted]
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#3I gather this was Falcon 9's first EELV-certified mission, but to call it its first national security mission is quite the overstatement. Falcon 9s have already launched an NRO spy satellite, the Air Force X-37B, and the mysterious Zuma.
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#4How is an upgraded GPS satellite a “national security” mission?
Yes, I understand that precise and reliable global navigation is essential to fighting wars and guided weapons, but such uses pale in comparison to the billions of people who rely on GPS every day to do non-war, non-USA stuff. It is neither national nor security.
Or do they just mean “in the role of defense contractor”?
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#5How is an upgraded GPS satellite a “national security” mission? Yes, I understand that precise and reliable global navigation is essential to fighting wars and guided weapons, but such uses pale in comparison to the billions of people who rely on GPS every day to do non-war, non-USA stuff. It is neither national nor security. Or do they just mean “in the role of defense contractor”?
What are you talking about? US-launched GPS satellites are owned and operated by the USAF, which last I checked, is a national security outfit.
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#6no employee protests against DOD projects :)
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#7How is an upgraded GPS satellite a “national security” mission? Yes, I understand that precise and reliable global navigation is essential to fighting wars and guided weapons, but such uses pale in comparison to the billions of people who rely on GPS every day to do non-war, non-USA stuff. It is neither national nor security. Or do they just mean “in the role of defense contractor”?
The reason GPS came to exist is because of the US military. That billions use it now for other purposes is a happy side effect.
Also it is very much “national” as the US taxpayer pays for the GPS system billions of people use for their non-war, non-USA stuff. And it’s definitely security because if that GPS system were to go down, there’s be a serious and immediate economic effect. Protecting and improving GPS is every bit “national security” as building a tank. National security is more than just waging war; it’s the promotion of stability both political and economic across the world.
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#8How is an upgraded GPS satellite a “national security” mission? Yes, I understand that precise and reliable global navigation is essential to fighting wars and guided weapons, but such uses pale in comparison to the billions of people who rely on GPS every day to do non-war, non-USA stuff. It is neither national nor security. Or do they just mean “in the role of defense contractor”?
What are you talking about? US-launched GPS satellites are owned and operated by the USAF, which last I checked, is a national security outfit.
Please drop acerbic swipes like "What are you talking about?" from your comments here. Your comment would be much better with just the second sentence.
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#9SpaceX had to use a fully expendable Falcon for this launch. What makes a GPS satellite so heavy?
Re: SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission
#10SpaceX had to use a fully expendable Falcon for this launch. What makes a GPS satellite so heavy?
They’re in geostationary orbit, which is much higher.