SpaceX made a record seventh launch of the same first stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. After launch, It returned to the Autonomous marine platform Of Course I Still Love You.
SpaceX launched the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket for a record seventh time today. The carrier successfully launched a group of 60 Starlink Internet satellites into orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral air force base at 21: 13 North American Eastern time (05:13 GMT). The launch was SpaceX's 23rd this year, and the hundredth flight for the Falcon 9 rocket during its entire operation. Note that last month, the California-based company celebrated the centenary of launches of the Falcon series of rockets: in addition to the launches of the "nine", they included the launches of the Falcon 1 and Falcon Heavy carriers.
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| The Launch Of The Falcon 9. |
| Source: SpaceX |
Today's record is more significant. Approximately nine minutes after launch, the first stage of the launch vehicle returned to Earth, making a smooth landing on one of SpaceX's drones in the Atlantic ocean. It is worth saying that the ship called Of Course I Still Love You is one of two in the company's fleet of evacuation vessels that "catch" accelerators and return them to port.
The Launch Of Falcon 9
Image source: SpaceX
It was possible to launch a rocket with Starlink satellites on the third attempt: previously, the launch was postponed several times, including due to unsatisfactory weather conditions.
As part of the launch, the b1049 stage was used. Prior to that, it was used for launches of other batches of Starlink satellites, Iridium NEXT spacecraft, and the Telstar 18V mission.
Falcon 9’s first stage lands on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship! pic.twitter.com/RZGbgzDBwf- SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 25, 2020
SpaceX launched a new batch of Starlink satellites just hours after testing its prototype Starship space complex, designated SN8. It was held on the eve of a test flight, which may happen very soon.
Earlier, during testing of this demonstrator [...], an emergency situation occurred, which almost led to the loss of the device.
SpaceX conducted the first fire tests of Starship SN8 in October of this year. The device has distinctive features: it is the first demonstrator equipped with three Raptor methane engines at once.
We also note that back in August, SpaceX conducted a test jump of the starship technology demonstrator: the device rose to a height of about 150 meters and landed at the other end of the test site. The first full-fledged launch of Starship in SpaceX can be carried out in the coming years. In the future, the device can be used for manned missions to Mars and the moon.