Stargazer being readied for its next launch

From Orbital ATK's Facebook:

Stargazer © Orbital ATK

Our Pegasus rocket, seen in the background of this image, is ready to mate with our Stargazer L-1011 aircraft at Vandenberg Air Force Base in preparation for the December 12 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket will launch NASA's 2-year Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission.

L-1011 video about the Flight Test Program

Film from the archives of Ron Grier, via Lockheed-Martin. Rare L-1011 promo featuring lot's of great scenes around Palmdale, test flying, Paris Air Show, Oakland, CA, etc. And watch for an Eastern Lockheed Jetstar too! For educational & non commercial use only. Check out our You Tube channel to see hundreds of VINTAGE & RARE airliner videos! 

• YouTube: Classic Airliner Videos

Aviation News - L-1011 article

Aviation News - December 2016

For some months now, Aviation News also incorporates the old JETS Magazine dedicated to classic types from yesterday. This month's issue has an article about the L-1011 with the following description:

TriStar: A Widebody Pioneer
The L-1011 TriStar was the only jet airliner ever built by Lockheed.  Philip Birtles details the development and career of this tri-jet.

• Aviation News: December 2016

CYGNSS launch postponed

According to Spaceflight Now, the CYGNSS launch that was supposed to occur tomorrow, is now scheduled to take place on December 12. This is the second revised date for this launch.

Pegasus launch © NASA

The payload will be put in orbit using the Pegasus XL rocket which is carried and released from an airborne L-1011 at approximately 40.000', eliminating the need of a stage booster.

• Spaceflight Now: Launch Schedule

More news on L-1011 N910TE V

TriStar Experience shared a video showing the high speed taxi test performed a few days ago in prepararion for the ferry flight of N910TE to Kansas City.

More news on L-1011 N910TE IV

Another update from TriStar Experience's FB:

To all TriStar supporters, the L1011 is materially ready and approved by the FAA for her ferry flight back to KC. See the recent posts below showing the aircraft being put through her paces. Now its down to crew scheduling and a bit of fundraising. We can really use your help. To make a monetary donation, please visit TriStar Experience. Thank you.

L-1011 TriStar "no simple thing"

Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture

More news on L-1011 N910TE III

TriStar Experience announced that their L-1011 N910TE is now airworthy but they need to raise funds for the upcoming test flight and for the subsequent ferry to Kansas City Airport:

L1011 Update. It looks like N910TE is now airworthy and ready to fly to KC. As with each plane thus far, it was more expensive than we anticipated to get her to this point. We're raising additional funds prior to putting her in the air. An extra $10,000 would help with test flight fuel and other costs. Thanks for your help. To donate visit: tristarexperience.org/donate

N140SC flew today in preparation for the CYGNSS launch

From Orbital's Twitter account:

N140SC © Orbital ATK

Our L-1011 #Stargazer lands in VAFB to conduct check outs for the upcoming #Pegasus launch of @NASA's #CYGNSS satellite

According to SpaceFlight Now website, the launch is now scheduled to take place on Nov. 21.

• Twitter: Orbital ATK

More news on L-1011 N910TE II

It looks like the new date for the ferry flight of the L-1011 N910TE to Kansas City will be on October 12th.

N910TE © TriStar History and Preservation

TriStar Experience have been working on this ex-Flying Hospital aircraft for some months now and they have a new dedicated L-1011 page on their website which replaced the previous one with information about N91011.

• TriStar Experience: N910TE