11 January 2026 year Fr. 13:44 (UTC) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA, using a launch vehicle «Falcon 9 Block 5» a launch was made 40 КА наукової місії США «Pandora/ Twilight».
Satellite «Pandora» – a small scientific satellite by mass 325 Kg, designed for detailed study of exoplanet atmospheres (планет за межами Сонячної системи) та їх материнських зірок. Виробництвом апарату займалася компанія Blue Canyon Technologies. During one year of the scientific program in orbit, the device will conduct observations at least 20 different exoplanets, which will allow clarifying their chemical composition and physical characteristics.
Satellite «HyMS» (Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder) – the HyMS demonstration satellite, developed by Spire Global, is a compact hyperspectral probe of the new generation, focused on the study of global atmospheric data. Створений у співпраці з RAL Space та STAR-Dundee Ltd. (Great Britain), апарат призначений для отримання деталізованих даних про внутрішню структуру атмосфери Землі, temperature, вологість та опади.
Companions «MINAS» (LEMUR-2) – designed for monitoring and data collection tasks in the interests of commercial and government customers. As part of the MINAS project, Spire Global launched eight LEMUR-2 satellites into sun-synchronous orbit for the Luxembourg Satellite System. Each device received its own name: WOBBLER, HCS-BAZUS, FIKRETDENGIZ, KATE, SUNFLOWER, GRAM-E-SUE, CALLUM-K-J MARIO-SOUSA.
A constellation of ten Kepler Communications satellites «Kepler Tranche 1» – designed to provide secure real-time communications for government and commercial customers. Each satellite is equipped with at least four optical terminals, providing high-speed laser communication channels between space, air and ground platforms. The system is compatible with the optical communication standards of the US Space Development Agency (SDA).
It was also launched into orbit during the launch 39 other payloads of unknown purpose for shared use within the Pandora/Twilight mission.
According to the CCS