November 2024

SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-76 mission to low-Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 late Tuesday evening from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 11:41 PM EST According to the company, 24 Starlink satellites were deployed successfully about an hour after liftoff.

SpaceX’s livestream offered viewers a glimpse of liftoff as seen from the rocket.
Photo: SpaceX

Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, BoosterB1078 touched down safely on the company’s drone ship ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ to complete its fifteenth mission successfully, while the second stage and payload continued to low Earth orbit. At about the same time the booster landed, the initial orbit for the payload was achieved, with a short orbit rounding burn just before payload deployment.

B1078 flew today 28 days after its Starlink 10-13 mission on October 30th, twenty-eight days ago. Its previous flights include the mPOWER-B, BlueBird-1, USSF-124, Crew-6 missions and now has completed 11 Starlink flights as well. Now safely aboard ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, the booster will return to Port Canaveral, where SpaceX will unload it and transport it to their Hangar X facility for preparation for its next flight.

At 12:49 AM EDT, SpaceX confirmed a successful deployment of the payload of Starlink satellites and a successful end to the flight.

By The Numbers

  • 123rd SpaceX launch this year
  • 435th SpaceX launch all time
  • 51st consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 378th Falcon Family Booster landing
  • 87th landing on ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’
  • 22nd launch from Launch Complex 39A so far in 2022

Launch Replay

Next Launch

After the Thanksgiving holiday, SpaceX gets back to business on the last day of the November, when it plans to launch another group of Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit.

Lather, rinse, repeat: SpaceX is currently launching Starlink missions twice a week from the Eastern Range. Their rapid pace of launches presents quite a lot of viewing opportunities for visitors and residents alike.

  • Date: NET November 30, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 6-65
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral
  • Launch Window: 12:00 – 4:00 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.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Launch Complex 40 at Kennedy Space Center on November 25, 2024. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX launched the Starlink 12-1 mission to low-Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 early Monday morning from Cape Canaveral. The launch time was 5:02 AM. According to the company, 23 Starlink satellites were deployed successfully, including 12 of the communications platform’s Direct-To-Cell capable version. According to SpaceX, “Starlink Direct to Cell network delivers seamless access to texting, voice and data on phones across the globe.”

Starlink 12-1 launches aboard Falcon 9 on November 25, 2024.
Photo courtesy SpaceX

Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1080 touched down safely on the company’s drone ship ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ to complete its twelfth mission successfully, while the second stage and payload continued to low Earth orbit. About the same time that the booster landed, the initial orbit for the payload was achieved, with a short orbit rounding burn just before payload deployment.

B0180 flew today only 14 days after its Starlink 6-69 mission on November 11th, only fourteen days ago. That’s the fastest turnaround on record thus far for a Falcon 9 booster, besting the previous record of 21 days, achieved by B1062 in 2022. Now safely aboard ‘Just Read The Instructions,’ booster and barge will now return with B0180 to Port Canaveral, where B1080 will be offloaded, returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, and presumably begin the process of it being prepared for its next mission.

At 6:08 AM EDT, SpaceX confirmed a successful deployment of the payload of Starlink satellites and a successful end to the flight.

Launch Replay

By The Numbers

  • SpaceX launch this year
  • 434th SpaceX launch all time
  • 50th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 377th Falcon Family Booster landing
  • 98th landing on ‘Just Read The Instructions’
  • 57th launch from Space Launch Complex 40 this year

Next Launch

Space Coast residents won’t have to wait long for the next launch. SpaceX has a Falcon 9 launch carrying the Starlink 6-76 group planned for late this evening from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The launch window opens at 10:35 PM and extends to 2:31 AM EST Tuesday morning.

  • Date: NET November 25, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 6-76
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 10:35 PM – 2:31 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.

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Starship Heavy lifts off from Boca Chica, Texas to start the IFT-6 mission. Photo: Richard Gallagher, FMN

Some weeks, they say, are better than others. This week was one of those better ones, as there has been major activities and milestones set this week:

  • SpaceX flies Starship Heavy on sixth test flight
  • Blue Origin raises New Glenn to vertical for final tests prior to maiden launch
  • Artemis II assembly begins in the VAB at Kennedy Space Center
  • SpaceX flies four Falcon 9 missions in four days, and is nearing its 400th rocket launch
  • Blue Origin launches New Shepard NS-28 with two Winter Park residents and Emily Calendrelli aboard.

That’s a lot of activity, and a lot of what happened this week sets up some exciting times in the future.

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Nestled in the serene wooded andscape of Richloam, Florida, the Richloam General Store is a living time capsule of a bygone era.

Established in 1921, this charming establishment stands as one of the last surviving general stores in the state, offering visitors a unique glimpse into early 20th-century rural life. Today, it serves as both a functional general store and a historical site, drawing travelers and history enthusiasts alike.

Visiting was a last-second decision for me a couple of weeks ago, and the store was closed and no one was there. I figured that this would be a decent test for a Laowa 10mm lens I have.

The Richloam General Store
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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.

Beautiful SKies, But Launch Bad Photography Weather

The cooler air over warmer water meant different air densities were mixing, creating perfect conditions for something I call “shimmer” but is more properly called “heat distortion.” Given that 8-9 miles is as close as almost anyone can view some launches (Starlink, especially) these are a real PITA for photographers. The stars twinkle in the night sky because of the same principles.

So, that meant taking the picture the situation allows. This is about as good a launch photo as anyone got from this launch location.

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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 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

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 B1067 is the leader in the clubhouse with 23 flights, and it is ostensibly in preparation for its next flight, its 24th.

SpaceX Starlink 6-66 ascending on November 21, 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
SpaceX Starlink 6-66 ascending on November 21, 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

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.

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November 18, 2024, Cape Canaveral SpaceX kept up their torrid pace of launches this afternoon when it launched the GSAT-20 for New Space India Ltd. (NSIL) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 1:31 PM ET under a nearly completely overcast sky.

This is a very busy time SpaceX. It has launched three Falcon 9 missions over the past two days, and also plans to launch Starship Heavy on its sixth test flight from Texas tomorrow.

About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1073 successfully touched down on the SpaceX droneship ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, completing its part of the mission. At roughly the same time as the first stage touchdown, Falcon 9’s second stage achieved orbit.

At 2:06 PM ET, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of the payload, concluding another successful Falcon 9 mission for the company. Today marked the 114th successful Falcon 9 mission in 2024.

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying the GSAT-20 mission on November 18, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX kept up their torrid pace of launches this afternoon when it launched the GSAT-20 for New Space India Ltd. (NSIL) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 1:31 PM ET under a nearly completely overcast sky.

Booster B1077 powering Falcon 9 off of the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 on November 18th. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Booster B1077 powering Falcon 9 off of the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 on November 18th
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

This is a very busy time SpaceX. It has launched three Falcon 9 missions over the past two days, and also plans to launch Starship Heavy on its sixth test flight from Texas tomorrow.

About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1073 successfully touched down on the SpaceX droneship ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, completing its part of the mission. At roughly the same time as the first stage touchdown, Falcon 9’s second stage achieved orbit.

At 2:06 PM ET, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of the payload, concluding another successful Falcon 9 mission for the company. Today marked the 114th successful Falcon 9 mission in 2024.

Payload

GSAT-20 Satellite
Courtesy: ISRO

The GSAT-20 satellite was built by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) for New Space India Ltd. (NSIL). NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up space-related activities.

The GSAT-20 satellite is a 4,700 kilogram geostationary Ka-band high-throughput communications satellite with 32 spot beams and an approximately Gigabit per second throughput. It is designed to cover all of India, with a special emphasis on providing connectivity for Northeastern India. It is slated for a 14-year service life after commissioning.

ISRO opted for SpaceX to launch GSAT 20 because India’s indigenous heavy rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark 3, lacks the capability to launch a satellite of this size and weight to a geostationary transfer orbit.

By The Numbers

  • 432nd SpaceX launch all time
  • 112th launch rocket launch this year for SpaceX
  • 430th launch all-time for SpaceX
  • 273rd launch from Space Launch Complex 40, all-time
  • 374th Falcon Family Booster landing
  • 87th landing on A Shortfall Of Gravitas
  • 45th consecutive successful landing for a Falcon family booster

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-66 mission with a Falcon 9 carrying more Starlink satellites for Group 6 on Thursday, November 21st.

  • Date: NET November 21, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 6-66
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
  • Launch Window: 10:53 AM – 2:53 PM 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.

Falcon 9 quickly went into the clouds after lifting off on November 18, 2024
Falcon 9 quickly went into the clouds after lifting off on November 18, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
The tail of the Dragon: as it entered the clouds over Space Launch Complex 40, Falcon 9's Merlin engines put on a brief but colorful display. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
The tail of the Dragon: as it entered the clouds over Space Launch Complex 40, Falcon 9’s Merlin engines put on a brief but colorful display. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
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