The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched Space Test Program Satellite 5, or STPSat-5, into orbit via Spaceflight Industries' fully dedicated smallsat rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Dec. 3 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 10:34 a.m. PST.

"I'm elated with [today's] successful launch," said Col. Timothy Sejba, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Advanced Systems and Development Directorate.

"STPSat-5 demonstrates the value of commercially-procured mission management and launch services for the Air Force. It also highlights the benefit of forging new partnerships with commercial space companies under SMC 2.0.

"This mission would not be possible without the combined dedication of our government and industry partners, including NASA, Spaceflight Industries and Sierra Nevada Corporation. We look forward to evaluating STPSat-5's performance on-orbit over the next year."

Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles AFB, is the Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems.

Its portfolio includes the development of advanced space and launch capability and systems, GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space-based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.

Related Links
US Air Force
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

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