USSF-44

USSF-44

USSF-44 mission launch
Names	USSF-44 AFSPC-44
Mission type	Technology demonstration
Operator	United States Space Force
Spacecraft properties
Power	Deployable solar array, batteries [1]
Start of mission
Launch date	November 1, 2022, 13:41 UTC [2]
Rocket	Falcon Heavy (FH-004)
Launch site	Kennedy, LC-39A
Contractor	SpaceX
Orbital parameters
Regime	Geostationary [3] [4]
USSF Launch ←  USSF-12 USSF-67  →

Patch of USSF-44 Mission

USSF-44 (also known as AFSPC-44) is an American National Security Space Launch Mission under the vision of United States Space Force. The launch is significant as it is the First National Security launch for SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket for National Security Mission. After reaching orbit Three Satellite are deployed named USA-339 (Shepard Demonstration), ^[5] LDPE-2, ^[6] USA-340 (Tetra-1), ^[7] USA-341 (Alpine), ^[8] LINUSS 1 and 2. ^[9] In January 2023, USA-344 deployed followed by many deployment like USA-399 in August 2024, USA-546 in June 2025, USA-547 & 548 in June 2025 and USA-551, 552 & 553 in August 2025. ^[10]

Overview

Shepard Demonstration

USA-339 was launched on November 1, 2022, at 9:41 EST on board the rocket Falcon Heavy USSF-44 Mission. ^{[1] [11]} The Falcon Heavy USSF-44 launch was the first National Security Space Launch on a Falcon Heavy rocket, and was also the first launch of a Falcon Heavy since June 2019. ^[3]

References

1. Krebs, Gunter D. (2023), Shepard Demonstration, Gunter Space Page, retrieved January 16, 2024
2. H., Lukas C. (2023), SpaceX Falcon Heavy : USSF-44 : KSC LC-39A: 1 Nov 2022 (13:41 UTC), NASA Spaceflight, retrieved January 15, 2024
3. Sodders, Lisa (2022), Successful USSF-44 Launch 'Sign of What's to Come', United States Space Force , retrieved January 15, 2024
4. Clark, Stephen (2022), Falcon Heavy rocket on the launch pad for one of SpaceX's most complex missions, Spaceflight Now, retrieved January 16, 2024
5. "Shepherd Demonstration". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
6. "LDPE 1, 2, 3A (ROOSTER 1, 2, 3A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
7. "Tetra 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
8. "Alpine". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
9. "LINUSS 1, 2 (LINUS-A 1, 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
10. "USA 344, 399, 546, 547, 548, 551, 552, 553". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (2022), LAUNCH DETAILS SpaceX Falcon Heavy USSF-44, Delaware North , retrieved January 16, 2024