The Air Force’s 30th Space Wing and Space Exploration Technologies conducted the first launch of the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. During the Sept. 29 mission from Vandy’s Space Launch Complex 4, the new Falcon 9 v.1.1 configuration carried Canada’s Cassiope technology demonstration satellite into orbit, along with five other smaller payloads, according to the company. The launch was part of SpaceX’s activities to gain Air Force certification to carry national security satellites into space. This was the sixth Falcon 9 launch overall; the previous five took place at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The new v.1.1 configuration features stretched first and second stages and a new arrangement for the first stage’s nine Merlin engines. (See also Vandenberg release and Los Angeles Times report.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
