SpaceX launches Transporter-4 smallsat rideshare mission
SpaceX’s Transporter-4 Falcon 9 mission launches 40 satellites into space from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
SpaceX’s Transporter-4 dedicated smallsat rideshare mission lofted 40 payloads into a polar orbit from Florida.
Liftoff atop a Falcon 9 rocket took place at 12:24 p.m. EDT (16:24 UTC) April 1, 2022, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A view of of the Transporter-4 satellites inside the payload fairing as it was being encapsulated before launch. Credit: SpaceX
Included on this flight are CubeSats, microsats, picosats, an orbital transfer vehicle and hosted payload, according to SpaceX.
The 40 encapsulated spacecraft inside Falcon 9, left Earth for Sun-synchronous orbit marking the seventh flight of first stage B1061, which landed on SpaceX drone ship “Just Read The Instructions” approximately 330 miles (532 kilometers) downrange of Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX will attempt to recover the twin fairings used to encasing cargo on Falcon 9.
Today’s launch was SpaceX’s fourth dedicated small satellite rideshare mission for its customers, some repeating, having flown previous satellites on the Transporter-3 mission.
The payloads will deploy over 90 minutes of mission flight time after reaching its designated Sun-synchronous orbit..
The release of the 40 payloads including satellites from Exolaunch, D-Orbit, SPACELUST, Satellogic, are determined by customer requirements and satellite placement.
Omnispace is launching prototypes for a new constellation to provide 5G internet.
Satellogic previously launched on Transporter-3 and had five more satellites on Transporter-4 with the main difference being upgraded hardware onboard and their upgraded capabilities.
Additionally, SPACELUST, operated by D-Orbit, used an ion propulsion transfer spacecraft to take its CubeSats to their respective orbits.
A long exposure of the Transporter-4 liftoff. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Video courtesy of SpaceX
Theresa Cross
Theresa Cross grew up on the Space Coast. It’s only natural that she would develop a passion for anything “Space” and its exploration. During these formative years, she also discovered that she possessed a talent and love for defining the unique quirks and intricacies that exist in mankind, nature, and machines. Hailing from a family of photographers—including her father and her son, Theresa herself started documenting her world through pictures at a very early age. As an adult, she now exhibits an innate photographic ability to combine what appeals to her heart and her love of technology to deliver a diversified approach to her work and artistic presentations. Theresa has a background in water chemistry, fluid dynamics, and industrial utility.
