FALCON 9 SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH FROM VANDENBERG

  • Published
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch the Iridium NEXT satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here Saturday, Jan. 14, at 9:54 a.m. PST.

As of Jan. 13, 12:39 p.m., FAA has removed the final conditions and authorized SpaceX to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Col. J. Christopher Moss, 30th Space Wing Commander, will be the launch decision authority.

"Vandenberg looks forward to the inaugural launch of Iridium NEXT and the return to flight for SpaceX," said Moss. "This is an exciting mission and we have worked closely with our mission partners at SpaceX to ensure a safe and successful launch."

Iridium NEXT will replace the world's largest commercial satellite network of low-earth orbit satellites in what will be one of the largest "tech upgrades" in history. Iridium has partnered with Thales Alenia Space for the manufacturing, assembly and testing of 81 Iridium NEXT satellites, at least 70 of which will be launched by SpaceX. The process of replacing the satellites one-by-one in a constellation of this size and scale has never been completed before.

For questions about the booster please contact John Taylor, SpaceX director of marketing communications, at 202-649-2632.

For more information about the Iridium NEXT satellite, visit: www.iridium.com

Note To Editors:
Media planning to put remote cameras in place Friday, Jan. 13, should RSVP to Lt. William Collette at william.collette.1@us.af.mil no later than Friday, Jan. 13, at 2:30 p.m. The media escort will depart the Vandenberg Visitor Control Center main gate parking lot Friday, Jan. 13, at 3:00 p.m.

Media planning to cover the launch must RSVP to Lt. William Collette at william.collette.1@us.af.mil no later than Friday, Jan. 13, at 4:00 p.m. The media escort will depart the Vandenberg main base gate parking lot Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8:45 a.m.

Submit all RSVPs by 4:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13. Any names not on the RSVP list will not be allowed on base.

Contact information for 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

Commercial: (805) 606-3595
FAX: (805) 606-4571
DSN: (312) 276-3595

30 Space Wing Public Affairs
867 Washington Ave, Bldg. 12000
Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437