Some weeks, they say, are better than others. In terms of Spaceflight in the US, this week was one of those better ones, as there has been major activities and milestones set this week:
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.
SpaceX Starlink 6-66 rises out of the heat distortion in the air over the Banana River on November 21, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-69 mission to low-Earth orbit late this afternoon, and by so doing completed its second launch from the Eastern Range in a mere four hours and six minutes.
First, SpaceX launched Koreasat 6A from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 12:22 PM EST, then they launched Starlink 6-69 from Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:28 PM EST, both on a Falcon 9.
A Blue Origin BE-4 engine being test fired. Photo: Blue Origin
Used as a sound suppression system, a water deluge is necessary to start New Glenn’s engines.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted Blue Origin’s application for a water deluge system at Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. It appears that Blue Origin now has no remaining regulatory hurdles prior to the planned static fire of New Glenn’s first stage and its eventual launch at some point in the near future.
