Dec. 4
Delta 4-Heavy • Orion EFT-1
Launch window: 1205-1444 GMT (7:05-9:44 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch NASA’s Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle on Exploration Flight Test-1. The uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft will reach an altitude of 3,600 miles before re-entering the atmosphere to demonstrate the capsule’s heat shield. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from September. [Nov. 18]
Dec. 4
Ariane 5 • DirecTV 14 & GSAT 16
Launch window: 2038-2148 GMT (3:38-4:48 p.m. EST)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA221, to launch the DirecTV 14 and GSAT 16 satellites. DirecTV 14 will provide direct-to-home television broadcasts across the United States. GSAT 16 will supply communications services for the Indian Space Research Organization. [Nov. 19]
Yes, we all read Spaceflightnow’s launch schedule page...which can be remarkably accurate....they got a mole in one of the agencies!