Zuma is being launched into space aboard a rocket that was the brainchild of South African-born inventor and businessman Elon Musk.
But don’t be confused. Zuma is the codename given to a top secret military payload being sent into orbit from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in the US aboard a Falcon 9 rocket built by the company SpaceX.
The Express https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/879593/spacex-launch-date-time-when-is-falcon-9-zuma-payload-space-nasa-elon-musk reported that the global aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman had selected SpaceX to put the secretive payload into space.
“Northrop Grumman is proud to be a part of the Zuma launch‚” said Lon Rains‚ communications director at Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Division.
“The Zuma payload is a restricted payload. It will be launched into Low Earth Orbit‚” said Rains.
SpaceX tweeted an update about the impending launch. “Falcon 9 and Zuma went vertical last night on Pad 39A. Now targeting November 16 for launch — rocket and payload remain healthy‚ and the teams will use the extra day to conduct additional mission assurance work.”
-Times Live
Falcon 9 and Zuma went vertical last night on Pad 39A. Now targeting November 16 for launch — rocket and payload remain healthy, and the teams will use the extra day to conduct additional mission assurance work. pic.twitter.com/EHHq2rMZ4g
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 15, 2017