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USA-339

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USA-339
USSF-44 (USA-339)'s mission patch
NamesUSA-339
Shepard Demonstration
USSF-44
AFSPC-44
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorUnited States Space Force
COSPAR ID2022-144B
Spacecraft properties
PowerDeployable solar array, batteries[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateNovember 1, 2022, 13:41 UTC[2]
RocketSpaceX Falcon Heavy USSF-44
Launch siteLaunch Pad 39A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, United States
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
RegimeGeostationary[3]
AltitudeAt least 20,000 mi (32,000 km)[4]

USA-339, also known as the Shepard Demonstration, USSF-44, and AFSPC-44, is a satellite owned by the United States Space Force (USSF). It was built to conduct technological experiments to mature technologies and accelerate risk reduction.[1] The USSF has published little information about USA-339.[4]

USA-339 was launched on November 1, 2022, at 9:41 EST on board the rocket Falcon Heavy USSF-44 anlong with the LDPE 2, Tetra 1, Alpine, and LINUSS 1 and 2 satellites.[1][5] The Falcon Heavy USSF-44 launch was the first National Security Space Launch on a Falcon Heavy rocket, and was also the first launch of a Falcon Heavy since June 2019.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter D. (2023), Shepard Demonstration, Gunter Space Page, retrieved January 16, 2024
  2. ^ H., Lukas C. (2023), SpaceX Falcon Heavy : USSF-44 : KSC LC-39A: 1 Nov 2022 (13:41 UTC), NASA Spaceflight, retrieved January 15, 2024
  3. ^ a b Sodders, Lisa (2022), Successful USSF-44 Launch 'Sign of What's to Come', United States Space Force, retrieved January 15, 2024
  4. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (2022), Falcon Heavy rocket on the launch pad for one of SpaceX's most complex missions, Spaceflight Now, retrieved January 16, 2024
  5. ^ Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (2022), LAUNCH DETAILS SpaceX Falcon Heavy USSF-44, Delaware North, retrieved January 16, 2024