We have quite a few rocket launches coming up this week, though none of them are particularly exciting as they are all satellite launches. With all that said, the Chinese company Galactic Energy has an unknown payload going into space so it’s a bit mysterious.

Sunday, September 17

• WHO: porcelain
• what: Long March 2D
• When: 4:15 am UTC
• where: Launch Complex 3 – Xichang Satellite Launch Center
• Why: In this mission, China will launch three Yaogan 39 satellites into orbit. They are remote sensing satellites and will be used in scientific experiments, land and resource surveys, agricultural production assessments, and disaster prevention and mitigation.

Tuesday, September 19

• WHO: Rocket Lab
• what: Chapel 12
• When: 6:30 AM UTC
• where: Mahia, New Zealand
• Why: This mission will launch the Acadia 2 satellite for Capella Space. This satellite is a synthetic aperture satellite and is part of a constellation of 30 satellites. This group of satellites provides high quality ground range resolution images to commercial customers.

Wednesday, September 20

• WHO: SpaceX
• what: Falcon 9 B5
• When: 01:47 UTC
• where: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
• Why: SpaceX will launch a bath of 22 Starlink v2 “Mini” satellites into low Earth orbit. The Starlink constellation is used to provide internet connectivity on Earth. Ultimately, SpaceX aims to get thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit to provide worldwide connectivity.

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• WHO: Galactic energy
• what: Ceres GX-1
• When: 14:00 UTC
• where: LC-43/95A – Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
• Why: The rocket is launched with an unknown payload. The task is called Autumn Sonata.

Saturday, September 23

• WHO: SpaceX
• what: Falcon 9 B5
• When: 7:00 am UTC
• where: Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4, California, USA
• Why: SpaceX will launch 21 Starlink v2 “Mini” satellites into low Earth orbit. Similar to the mission earlier this week, this launch will help strengthen the Starlink constellation.

summarize

• The first launch last week was Long March 6A carrying the Yaogan-40 satellite which will be used to detect the electromagnetic environment.

• Next, United Launch Alliance launched Atlas V 551 carrying the NROL-107 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office and the US Space Force.

• On Monday (local time), a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites and landed the first stage of the rocket.

• On Friday, Russia launched the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft from Baikonur on Soyuz 2.1a. The mission was to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

• Finally, SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 2 more Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.

That’s all for this week, check back next time.