SpaceX has launched a secret satellite codenamed Zuma on its first flight of the new year.
The unmanned Falcon rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sunday night, carrying the satellite toward an undisclosed orbit.
SpaceX ended launch commentary five minutes into the flight, due to the classified nature of the U.S. satellite. But the company continued to broadcast the return of the first-stage booster to Cape Canaveral, where it landed upright as part of a recycling effort.
- An army of ‘very hungry caterpillars’ invades a popular Alberta campground
- Canada ‘rising to the moment,’ federal energy minister tells Global Energy Show
- NASA reveals next steps to build permanent moon base
- Be bear aware: Increase in sightings, encounters prompts warning to Alberta backcountry users
Northrop Grumman provided the satellite, for which government agency it wouldn’t say. The name Zuma refers to a Southern California beach.
Last year was a banner year for SpaceX , with 18 launches. It’s aiming for more this year.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.