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.
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
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 / 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.
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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