The Transport Layer satellites carry mission payloads designed to provide a secure, resilient, and low-latency communications network in low Earth orbit as part of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Each satellite functions as a node in a distributed mesh network, enabling rapid and reliable data movement between space, air, maritime, and terrestrial users to support joint and coalition operations.

At the core of the payload are standardized optical communication terminals that establish optical inter-satellite links between neighboring spacecraft. These optical links form the primary high-throughput backbone of the Transport Layer, allowing data to be routed dynamically across the constellation with minimal latency and high resistance to interference. The optical terminals comply with SDA interoperability standards, enabling cross-vendor connectivity and scalable constellation growth across multiple tranches.

Complementing the optical network, Transport Layer payloads include radio frequency communications systems that provide connectivity between the space segment and user terminals or gateway nodes. These RF links support secure data relay, tactical communications, and integration with existing military networks, with specific bands, waveforms, and configurations varying by tranche and satellite mission role.

Integrated onboard processing, encryption, routing, and data handling capabilities allow each satellite to autonomously manage traffic, protect sensitive information, and rapidly deliver data from sensors to decision-makers and shooters. Together, these payload elements form a globally distributed, survivable communications layer that enhances operational responsiveness and enables resilient command and control in contested environments.

Falcon 9 is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.

Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.

Stats

Completed missions: 608

Total landings: 562

Total reflights: 528

The Falcon 9 has launched 71 humans into orbit since May 2020

Specs

Height: 70 m / 229.6 ft

Diameter: 3.7 m / 12 ft

Mass: 549,054 kg / 1,207,920 lb

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 22,800 kg / 50,265 lb

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 8,300 kg / 18,300 lb

Payload to Mars: 4,020 kg / 8,860 lb

On January 24, 2021, Falcon 9 launched the first ride-share mission to Sun Synchronous Orbit. It was delivering a record-setting 143 satellites to space. And while this was an important mission for SpaceX in itself, it was also the moment Falcon 9 overtook United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V for the total number of consecutive successful launches.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 had become America’s workhorse rocket, launching 31 times in 2021. It has already beaten that record this year, launching almost an average of once a week. While most of the launches deliver Starlink satellites to orbit, the company is still launching the most commercial payloads to orbit, too.

Falcon 9 is a medium-lift launch vehicle, with the capability to launch over 22.8 metric tonnes to low earth orbit. Unlike any other rocket, its first stage lands back on Earth after separating from its second stage. In part, this allows SpaceX to offer the cheapest option for most customers with payloads that need to reach orbit.

Under its ride-share program, a kilogram can be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit for a mere 1.1 million dollars, far cheaper than all other currently operating small satellite launch vehicles.

The reusability and fast booster turnaround times have made Falcon 9 the preferred choice for private companies and government agencies. This has allowed SpaceX to capture a huge portion of the launch market.

Photo courtesy of Jenny Hautmann for Supercluster.

Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base is SpaceX’s west coast launch and landing facility. The launch pad is named SLC-4E (as it is the easternmost of the two areas).

Satellite image of the facility and surrounding area provided by SkyFi. With mobile and web apps, SkiFi is making it easier than ever to access Earth Observation data and analytics.

Originally built in the early 1960s for Atlas-Agena rockets, SLC-4E served that rocket line until 1967, when it was taken offline and then rebuilt for the Titan IIID rockets.

It launched the Titan IIID from 1971 to 1988, after which it was reconfigured and used for the Titan IV between 1991 and 2005.

SpaceX leased SLC-4E in 2011 and spent two years rebuilding the pad for the Falcon 9 rocket.

The pad exclusively launched Falcon 9 polar missions from 2013 to 2019.  However, in 2020, SpaceX began splitting those launches between Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral after the Air Force agreed to allow polar launches from Florida after a 51-year ban (because of the then-dangers of overflying Cuba during launch).

Despite new launch opportunities from Florida, SpaceX is not abandoning Vandenberg; many more launches are planned from this location.

Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) is SpaceX’s only West Coast landing pad for the Falcon 9 first stage. Activated in 2018, the pad was constructed on the site of the former SLC-4W launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SLC-4W was originally developed between 1963 and 1965 to support Atlas-Agena rocket launches and was located just 427 meters (1,400 feet) from SLC-4E. After the Atlas-Agena program ended, the pad was rebuilt for the Titan IIIB rocket program, which operated from 1966 to 1987. Following the retirement of the Titan IIIB, SLC-4W was reconfigured for Titan 23G rocket launches from 1988 to 2003.

In 2015, SpaceX leased SLC-4W, renaming it Landing Zone 4 and converting it into a dedicated landing site for Falcon 9 first stages. The first Return-To-Launch-Site landing of a Falcon 9 at Landing Zone 4 occurred on October 7, 2018, after the successful launch of the SAOCOM 1A satellite.

Photo courtesy of Pauline Acalin for Supercluster