L-1011 Stargazer, Swift Boost Mission II

Launch:

No earlier than Tuesday, June 30, 6:23 a.m. EDT

Stargazer © NASA/Ron Beard

Northrop Grumman's Stargazer aircraft will take off from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, climb to about 40,000 feet, and drop a Pegasus XL rocket carrying Katalyst Space's LINK robotic servicing satellite. Pegasus XL’s three solid rocket motors will fire in sequence and deliver LINK to orbit to boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

 Full news article:

 NASA Science: Partners, NASA Ready for June Launch of Swift Boost Mission

L-1011 Stargazer, Swift Boost Mission

As announced last year, Stargazer will soon perform another mission, named "Swift Boost" by NASA.

Stargazer © NASA/Ron Beard

Last 18th, the aircraft with the Pegasus XL rocket already mated to it, departed from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility for Kwajalein Atoll where the launch will take place later this month.

NASA set up a special page for this mission:

NASA Science: Swift Boost Mission

Lyon-Saint Exupéry L-1011 C-FTNA scrapped

Another L-1011 airframe (s/n 193M-1019) was scrapped last May 26. The intention announced last year was now carried out. Air Transat was the last operator of this aircraft that was damaged while flying through a hail storm, in 2001.

Airline History Museum: L-1011 scrapped

Farewell N31019 © Airline History Museum

Rumors are now confirmed. AHM's L-1011 was scrapped by Signature Aviation, a firm that showed total disrespect for aviation and for those who endeavored their time and money preserving the past for future generations. I was for a long time considering visiting Kansas City and this museum. Not anymore...

Parts of this airframe (193B-1066) are said to be used on the N140SC Stargazer.

Airframe information

Serial Number: 193B-1066

Model/Type: -50

Registration: N31019

Owner: Airline History Museum

Status: Scrapped