SpaceX is gearing up for the launch of its eighth Falcon 9 rocket on a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission. The mission, named United States Space Force 124 (USSF-124), is scheduled to take off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 UTC) today.

The USSF-124 mission is a crucial step forward for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Space Forces' Space Development Agency (SDA). Onboard the Falcon 9 rocket are two satellites for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), part of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program, and four SDA Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer satellites.

The HBTSS satellites are a significant milestone in missile warning, tracking, and defense, according to Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of MDA. These satellites will enhance the nation's efforts to stay ahead of adversaries in terms of missile defense capabilities.

The MDA's HBTSS program was developed in collaboration with L3Harris Technologies, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and Lidos. L3Harris Technologies received a contract worth up to $121.6 million for an on-orbit demonstration of a space-based prototype sensor. Northrop Grumman, on the other hand, received a $153 million award for its portion of the HBTSS program work.

Joining the HBTSS satellites are four SDA T0 Tracking Layer satellites, built by L3Harris. These satellites are part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) test constellation. Together with their predecessors launched by SpaceX in 2023, these satellites will operate in the Transport and Tracking layers.

The launch of the USSF-124 mission will mark the 11th NSSL mission for SpaceX and the second launch under the NSSL Phase 2 contract awards. SpaceX has been issued a total of 22 missions worth $2.5 billion over a five-year period.

Following the USSF-124 mission, SpaceX has planned two more launches within a nine-hour period. The next launch will be the Starlink 7-14 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the final launch will be the Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander from Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX remains committed to strengthening America's capabilities in space and bolstering national security in the face of growing threats. The company's Falcon 9 rocket, with its proven track record, will once again demonstrate its reliability as it propels the USSF-124 mission and paves the way for future endeavors.

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