![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2020\/03\/us-space-force-leave-planet-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Go Time<\/h2>
The recently-formed U.S. Space Force will actually venture out into orbit for the first time on Thursday.<\/p>
The mission, which will send a military communication satellite into orbit from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is still on track for its 3 p.m. EST launch, according to Ars Technica<\/em><\/a>. That’s because, unlike other groups like SpaceX<\/a> and NASA<\/a>, military spaceports in the U.S. have thus far escaped unscathed by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p> However, the mission has been altered somewhat by the pandemic, even if the launch itself is proceeding as scheduled. Ars Technica<\/em> reports that the usual fanfare surrounding a rocket launch, like a social media event and other forms of outreach, have been cancelled.<\/p> That said, people can still watch the launch if they so desire on this livestream<\/a>.<\/p> If the Space Force mission succeeds, the U.S. military will be able to bring online a new constellation of communication satellites. With the satellite that’s being launched today in place, the military will finally be able to replace the outdated network that it’s been relying on.<\/p> Five of the six satellites in the new network are already in place, Ars Technica<\/em> reports. Some have been waiting in geostationary orbit for ten full years, as the military has been slowly sending them up since 2010.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>For the first time, the US Space Force will actually go to space today<\/a> [Ars Technica<\/em>]<\/p> More on space: <\/strong>Space Force Working “Pretty Closely With Elon Musk and SpaceX”<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post The US Space Force Is About to Finally Leave the Planet<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> View post: Go Time The recently-formed U.S. Space Force will actually venture out into orbit for the first time on Thursday. Continue reading Bare Bones<\/h2>
Final Piece<\/h2>
The US Space Force Is About to Finally Leave the Planet<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"