SpaceX launched the USSF-124 mission carrying six prototype missile tracking satellites for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) into a 1000 kilometer altitude, 40 degree inclination orbit on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 PM EST (22:30 UTC). The mission took off from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida. After stage separation, the Falcon 9 booster returned to landing pad LZ-2 at CCSFS. Space Systems Command (SSC) confirmed successful deployment of the satellites into their intended orbit.
The forecast from the 45th Weather Squadron showed very good weather at the scheduled liftoff time with a greater than 95 percent chance of favorable conditions.
This was the first of three launches scheduled within eight hours for SpaceX from its three active launch pads for Falcon rockets, along with the Intuitive Machines IM-1 moon lander and Starlink 7-14 flights. Depending on the order they eventually take off, one of these missions will be the 300th Falcon 9 flight, coming little more than a year after the 200th Falcon 9.