SpaceX did a secret mission: "Zuma"
- Frederik Herholdt
- Jan 15, 2018
- 2 min read
Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company based in Hawthorne, California. Founder: Elon Musk.
The company's Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on January 7, 2018 at 8pm EST. It then successfully landed back on earth, marking SpaceX's first successful mission of 2018 called "Zuma".
Mission "Zuma" was the 21st successful rocket landing for SpaceX. The company did however encounter some small technical difficulties pre launch. On Sunday, November 5, SpaceX dealt with a propellant leak causing an ignition, damaging the test stand.
Why is this SpaceX mission called Zuma?
'Zuma' is simply a codename given to the mission - and it's obviously derived from Elon Musk's South African (SA) heritage. The question may still now linger as to why the mission got the name of the SA president. The facts are simple. The mission was conducted for American national defense contractor Northrop Grumman. All we know is that it was a classified payload for the U.S. government sent into low-earth orbit. The catch is that nobody does secrets and withheld government information better than SA president, "Zuma". This is not the confirmed reason for the codename, but due to the political facts we will have to settle for this theory.
More about the mission itself.
The defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. was assigned to select the company that will be used for the highly classified mission. SpaceX was chosen due to being the most cost effective. This option was discussed in an emailed statement before the launch.
“As a company, Northrop Grumman realizes this is a monumental responsibility and we have taken great care to ensure the most affordable and lowest risk scenario for Zuma,” said Lon Rains - spokesperson at Northrop Grumman. He declined any questions towards the nature of the cargo.
The mission is the company's first of what is expected to be a busy 2018. The company said that about 30 missions are planned to be launched in 2018. A record of 17 missions was completed in 2017.
Posted 15 January 2018 - Frederik Herholdt
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