SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched 24 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit to join the Starlink constelltion from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, on Tuesday, September 2nd, at 8:50 PDT. Photos captured by Satnews.
Originally the forecast called for a temperature of 64°F, scattered clouds, 33% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph. But on Tuesday, the launch day, the forecast calls for a temperature of 66°F, few clouds, 24% cloud cover and a wind speed of 10mph.
This was the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX to launch 24 smallsats of Starlink Group 17-8 on Tuesday from California
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 24 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit to join the Starlink constelltion from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, on Tuesday, September 2nd, 7:33 PM – 11:33 PM PDT.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 64°F, scattered clouds, 33% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff that you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
