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TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite)
All launches
SpaceX

TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite)

Success

Falcon 9 Block 4
T-minus to liftoff

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SECONDS

Apr 18, 22:51:31 UTC
StatusSuccess
VehicleFalcon 9 Block 4
OrbitHigh Earth Orbit
PadSpace Launch Complex 40
Loading map…

Mission

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a NASA space telescope, designed to search for exoplanets using the transit method. TESS will identify planets ranging from Earth-sized to gas giants, orbiting a wide range of stellar types and orbital distances. The principal goal of the TESS mission is to detect small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood, so that detailed characterizations of the planets and their atmospheres can be performed.

Quick facts

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 4
OrbitHigh Earth Orbit
PadSpace Launch Complex 40
SiteCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
WindowApr 18, 22:51:31 UTC→Apr 18, 22:52:01 UTC

Vehicle

FamilyFalcon
Height71 m
Diameter3.65 m
Stages2
ReusableYes
LEO capacity22,800 kg
Track record12/12 successful
Landings6/6
Acquiring satellite view…
Trajectory unknown
Space Launch Complex 40
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
28.562, -80.577
Scrub riskLOW
Go90%
Q

Q's read

Weather & scrubLOW risk
Weather Go90%LL2 Go90%Wind4 ktGusts4 ktCloud50%Temp81°F

Limiting rule: No flight through cumulus cloud with top at or above the freezing level.

8800% cloud cover in layer above freezing (15665 ft) — approximated · ≥60% layer 11519–20083 ft (8564 ft thick) — approximated