NASA and SpaceX are poised to launch the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on , following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearance for the Falcon 9 rocket. The launch, scheduled for , had been grounded for four days due to an issue with the rocket’s upper stage.
The FAA’s authorization on removes the final hurdle for the launch, allowing SpaceX and NASA to proceed with preparations. The mission will utilize a Dragon spacecraft mated to a Falcon 9 rocket, launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This launch is particularly noteworthy as it follows an unprecedented medical emergency that impacted previous ISS crew assignments, highlighting the critical importance of reliable access to the station.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle. The “B5” designation in references to the rocket (e.g., F9 B5 – B1101.2) indicates the block version of the Falcon 9, representing iterative improvements to the design. The numbers following the dash (e.g., B1101.2) denote the specific booster used for the mission, and indicate reuse. The Falcon 9’s reusability is a key component of SpaceX’s strategy to lower the cost of space access. The Crew-12 mission will employ booster B1101.2, which has been used previously.
The launch schedule, as detailed by SpaceXNow, reveals a busy period for the company. Beyond Crew-12, several Starlink missions are planned in the near future, utilizing various Falcon 9 boosters. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation, relies on frequent launches to expand its coverage. These missions are categorized by group and number (e.g., Group 17-33, Group 6-103), indicating different orbital planes and deployment strategies. The launches utilize either an “OCISLY” landing profile (Onboard Computer Integrated Sensor Landing – meaning the booster lands on a drone ship) or “LZ-40” (Landing Zone 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station).
SpaceX’s launch manifest extends beyond Starlink and NASA missions. Several launches are contracted with other entities, including the Space Development Agency (SDA) for missions like T1TL-A and T1TL-E, and Amazon for Project Kuiper (LF-04, LF-05, LF-06). These diverse contracts demonstrate SpaceX’s growing role as a multi-faceted space services provider. The SDA missions, in particular, are focused on establishing a resilient space-based communication network for the U.S. Military.
The company also has plans for its Starship program, with Flight 12 currently on the schedule. Starship represents SpaceX’s ambition to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Unlike the Falcon 9, which is primarily focused on delivering payloads to orbit, Starship is designed for deep-space exploration. The Starship launches originate from Starbase, Texas, and are currently categorized as suborbital tests.
The Falcon 9’s versatility is further demonstrated by its use in launches for Globalstar and EchoStar. The Globalstar missions represent a third-generation upgrade to the company’s satellite constellation, while the EchoStar XXV launch will deliver a geostationary (GEO) communications satellite. These missions highlight the Falcon 9’s ability to support a wide range of orbital requirements.
SpaceX’s launch cadence is supported by its two primary launch facilities: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in California. CCSFS is primarily used for missions to low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), while VSFB is often used for missions to polar orbits. The choice of launch site depends on the specific orbital requirements of the mission.
The upcoming launches also involve different landing strategies for the Falcon 9 boosters. Some boosters are designed to land back at Landing Zone 40 (LZ-40) at CCSFS, while others are recovered on SpaceX’s drone ships, “A Shortfall of Gravitas” (ASOG) and “Of Course I Still Love You” (OCISLY). The landing strategy is determined by the mission profile and the location of the landing site.
The Crew-12 mission represents a continuation of NASA’s reliance on SpaceX for crew transportation to the ISS. This partnership has been crucial in maintaining a continuous human presence in space, particularly after the retirement of the Space Shuttle program. The successful launch of Crew-12 will be a significant step in ensuring the continued operation of the ISS and the advancement of space exploration.
