SpaceX Will Launch the "Zuma" Spacecraft Today

The National Reconnaissance Office, the government defense agency responsible for USA spy satellites, has not released any statement on the impending launch. Although the public has many questions about the payload-codenamed "Zuma"-those working on the mission have supplied limited information".

The privately-owned space transportation firm SpaceX will launch an orbital payload Thursday, but no one is saying who owns the satellite or what it will do. As Florida Today said, SpaceX is no stranger to launching top secret missions, including a spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office and another payload for the Department of Defense.

REUTERS Mario AnzuoniCEO and founder of SpaceX Elon Musk

"The Zuma payload is a restricted payload. Now targeting November 16 for launch - rocket and payload remain healthy‚ and the teams will use the extra day to conduct additional mission assurance work".

Zuma satellite mission patch.

There is a general feeling within the company that this is an important launch for SpaceX, as it will be the third national security mission, and if successful it would validate the company as a major player to meet the country's military launch needs at a time when the US Congress is pushing the Air Force to rely on US made rocket engines.

The delay has another upside: Weather conditions are 90 percent "go" for the Thursday attempt and greater than 90 percent "go" in the event of a delay to Friday, according to the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron.

The covert haul is due to launch between 8pm and 10pm EST from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida.

Launch Window: 10 p.m.

If all goes according to plan, Zuma will now lift off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Friday from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, during a window that opens at 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT on November 18).

Recommended:

• 

  16 November 2017

  S.Africa eye 2023 prize as bitter battle ends

  Coming after an expected dip in revenues from the 2019 tournament in Japan, that extra funding appeared to make an irresistible case for some voters.

  British inflation steadies at five-year high in October

  Higher inflation was also noted in protein rich items like oils and fats, eggs, and milk (and its products). Crucial services such as education, healthcare, personal care, etc have seen an inflation of 3.48 per cent.

  Five Dead In California Shooting Spree That Ended At School

  Two hospitals said they were treating a total of seven gunshot victims, including at least three children. Tehama County Superintendent of Schools Rich DuVarney there were no student or staff fatalities.
• 

  17 November 2017

  UNSC to vote on Syria chem gas attacks probe

  Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the USA draft resolution was not balanced. It was later re-submitted but failed to garner nine "yes" votes.
  

  16 November 2017

  Washington Nationals Pitcher Max Scherzer Wins Second Straight Cy Young

  En route to his second Cy Young Award in four years , Kluber was phenomenal in helping lead the Indians back to the playoffs. Scherzer was 16-4 with a 2.51 ERA, second best in the league, this season, and he led the NL in strikeouts with 268.
  

  15 November 2017

  Australia says yes to same-sex marriage in historic postal survey

  It's been a controversial process, with accusations of ballot-stuffing, homophobic slurs and violence against MPs. There are only two weeks of Parliament sitting dates before the Christmas break.
• 

  16 November 2017

  Destiny 2 Curse of Osiris DLC reveal: Raid Lair, story info

  Eater of Worlds will be shorter than vanilla Leviathan, but will have more challenging encounters and new puzzles to solves. For the uninitiated, Osiris is Ikora's mentor as well as the namesake for the Trials of Osiris Crucible event.
  

  14 November 2017

  Trump Asked Xi's Help in Case of Detained US Basketball Players

  The source told ESPN there is surveillance footage of the players shoplifting from three stores inside a high-end retail center. The president's chief of staff John Kelly has also been in contact with the players' families as well as the team's coach.
  

  14 November 2017

  Roy Moore Can't Be Taken Off the Ballot

  They became parents of Jesus". "There's just nothing immoral or illegal here". "Maybe she just needs to take a polygraph test". Zeigler also attempted to rely on the Bible to muster a justification for Moore's alleged sexual misconduct. "Take the Bible.
• 

  16 November 2017

  'Psychopathic Predator' Caught On Mainland After Escaping From Hawaii Mental Hospital

  A man who admitted to killing a woman escaped from a psychiatric hospital in Hawaii and may be in the Bay Area, authorities said. Maui County police say Saito flew to Maui shortly after he left the hospital, but they don't know where he is now.
  

  15 November 2017

  Abe calls for ASEAN's cooperation to foster free and open order

  Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said APT alliance has broadened to include food security, energy, environment, and health. The Philippines is about too far but, you know, nobody will save us from a holocaust if it happens", he said.

  Missouri attorney general investigating Google

  He says most people don't realize that Google builds individual user profiles of those who use the company's services. Google agreed to change some business practices the FTC said were stifling competition in certain markets.