SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit this morning from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Liftoff was at 11:07 AM EST into seasonably cool (~65ºF) and crystal blue skies over Florida.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Around 8.25 minutes later, Falcon 9 booster B1069 touched down offshore on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas, successfully concluding its 20th mission. ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ had been pre-positioned off the coast of The Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean and will return to Port Canaveral and B1069 will be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X for inspection and, presumably, preparation for its next flight.
The booster joins an ever-expanding group of Falcon 9 boosters with at least 20 successful missions. SpaceX has said in the past that they are working towards certifying Falcon 9 first-stage boosters for at least forty flights, but so far none has flown more than 23 times successfully: Booster B1076 is the leader in the clubhouse with 23 flights, and it is ostensibly in preparation for its next flight, its 24th.
While the booster was landing at sea on its target drone ship, the second stage of Falcon 9 continued to orbit, and achieved its initial elliptical orbit about the same time as the booster was touching down below on Earth’s surface. A quick orbital rounding burn followed, and at 12:13 PM EST, SpaceX announced that the launch was a success when it said that the payload of Starlink satellites had been successfully deployed.
By The Numbers
- 988th launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- 273rd launch from SLC-40 at CCSFS
- 432nd SpaceX launch all time
- 56th launch from SLC-40 this year
- 48th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
- 375th Falcon Family Booster landing
- 86th landing on ASOG
- 120th SpaceX launch this year
Launch Replay
Next Launch
SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Northrup Grumman-built Optus X telecommunications satellite aboard a Falcon 9 Sunday afternoon from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
- Date: NET November 25, 2024
- Organization: SpaceX
- Mission: Starlink 12-1
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, CCSFS
- Launch Window: 4:32 – 8:32 AM EST
- Payload: Starlink satellites
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Photo: Ed Cordero, FMN
Photo: Ed Cordero / FMN
