- SpaceX Faces Firing Scandal, Yet Surprises the World
- Second Falcon 9 Launched This Weekend
- Launch Follows 53 Starlink Satellites Sent in Under 24 Hours
Amid controversy over SpaceX’s firing of employees who criticized CEO Elon Musk, the company is back in the spotlight after successfully launching a second Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This launch was unexpected, as another was already planned for Sunday.
In less than 24 hours, SpaceX surprised observers by announcing the Falcon 9 launch, which came shortly after deploying 53 Starlink satellites. The launch occurred around 7 AM (local time), with the rocket’s return expected in the following hours.
Satellite launched in California
A reconnaissance satellite for Germany was launched on Saturday from California, according to The Associated Press. The launch, announced on SpaceX’s official page, took place at 7:19 AM (local time) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
“SpaceX is targeting Saturday, June 18, at 7:19 AM PT (14:19 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of the SARah-1 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force in California. A backup opportunity is available on Monday, June 20, at 7:19 AM PT (14:19 UTC),” the announcement stated.
The launch marked the third flight and landing of the reusable Falcon 9 booster. SARah-1 is part of a radar satellite system designed for Earth observation, providing imaging capabilities regardless of time or weather conditions, according to its manufacturer, Airbus, as cited by The Associated Press.
SpaceX noted that the booster had supported previous missions:
“The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched the NROL-87 and NROL-85 missions. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 will return to land at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.”
What is the Falcon 9 rocket?
On its official website, SpaceX explains that the Falcon 9 is a two-stage reusable rocket designed and manufactured to provide reliable and safe transportation of people and payloads to and beyond Earth’s orbit. It is also celebrated as the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.
“Falcon 9 is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads to Earth orbit and beyond. Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket. Reuse allows SpaceX to re-fly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn reduces the cost of access to space,” the company stated.
Is there another type of Falcon?
According to the official SpaceX website, the Falcon Heavy is a rocket even more powerful than the Falcon 9. It is one of the most powerful rockets in the world, designed with a capacity to launch nearly 64 metric tons into orbit. Its thrust is comparable to that of 18 Boeing 747 aircraft.
“Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to launch nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb) into orbit, Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy. Falcon Heavy is made up of three cores of nine Falcon 9 engines, whose 27 Merlin engines together generate more than 5 million pounds of thrust at takeoff, which equates to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft,” SpaceX explains.