Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission
Falcon 9 Block 5
SpaceX
Rocket Launch Videos
Trajectory
View comprehensive details including the rocket's trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust, and more at FlightClub.io.
Rocket Launch Timeline
Enhance your rocket launch experience with a detailed timeline! From pre-launch preparations to post-launch milestones, a well-structured schedule ensures every step—payload prep, safety checks, and liftoff—runs smoothly. Stay informed and follow the action with precision.
| T+ 00 : 01 : 12 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 15 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 18 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 22 | Stage 1 Flip Flip maneuver of the first stage |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 26 | SES-1 First start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 32 | Booster Boostback Burn Startup Start of the booster boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 56 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 26 | Booster Boostback Burn Shutdown End of the booster boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 08 | Entry Burn Startup Start of the atmospheric entry burn |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 19 | Entry Burn Shutdown End of the atmospheric entry burn |
| T+ 00 : 07 : 16 | Stage 1 Landing Burn Start of the first stage landing burn |
| T+ 00 : 07 : 34 | Stage 1 Landing Landing of the first stage |
| T+ 00 : 08 : 09 | SECO-1 First cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 56 : 55 | SES-2 Second start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 56 : 56 | SECO-2 Second cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 01 : 01 : 33 | Payload Deployment Sequence Start Start of the payload deployment sequence |
| T+ 01 : 08 : 22 | Payload Deployment Sequence End End of the payload deployment sequence. |
| T+ 01 : 43 : 04 | SES-3 Third start of the second engine |
| T+ 01 : 43 : 05 | SECO-3 Third cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 02 : 14 : 51 | SES-4 Fourth start of the second engine |
| T+ 02 : 14 : 52 | SECO-4 Fourth cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 02 : 19 : 56 | Payload Deployment Sequence Start Start of the payload deployment sequence |
| T+ 02 : 32 : 59 | Payload Deployment Sequence End End of the payload deployment sequence. |
Mission
Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission
- Type: Astrophysics
- Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
- Launch Cost: $52,000,000
The Pandora small satellite was selected in 2021 as an inaugural mission in NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program. It includes a 0.45-meter telescope that will improve our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres by disentangling exoplanet signals from their host stars, as well as studying host star variability with long-duration observations of 20 unique planets through visible-light photometry and near-infrared spectroscopy.
Also launching on this launch are 39 other ride-share payloads under the "Falcon 9 Twilight mission" manifested by Exolaunch, including satellites from Spire Global and Kepler Communications.
Location
Space Launch Complex 4E
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Vandenberg
Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed the launch of 257 rockets, including 257 orbital launch attempts. While Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 872 rocket launches.
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
Rocket
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Landing
Core B1097
The Falcon 9 first stage B1097 has landed on Landing Zone 4 after its 5th flight. Booster B1097 last launched 03/08/2026 and has seen 7 successful launches and landings. Falcon 9 booster.
A sonic boom is likely to occur a few minutes after launch as the booster returns to the launch site. Be prepared for a loud but thrilling experience! Learn more about rocket launch sonic booms
Landing Zone 4 - LZ-4
LZ at Vandenberg
Return to Launch Site - RTLS
A return to launch site usually means that after stage separation the booster flips and does a burn back towards the launch site, landing near where it initially launched from.
Agency
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission mission launch from?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
What rocket was used for the Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission mission?
The Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster for Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission attempt a landing?
Yes, the Falcon 9 first stage booster attempted a Return to Launch Site at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows SpaceX to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the SpaceX Falcon 9 Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest SpaceX Falcon 9 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official SpaceX live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.