Recap SpaceX Falcon 9 Liftoff, Stage Separation, Landing and Deployment (Feb. 22, 2024)

SpaceX tonight launched 22 Starlink satellites to orbit with a reusable Falcon 9 rocket in a move to enhance its satellite communication capabilities. Here you can recap the liftoff, stage separation, first-stage landing, and deployment from this mission.

Liftoff:

The space launch vehicle service provider conducted the liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The first stage is made of 9 Merlin engines which generate more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level to uplift the entire launch vehicle.

All of the pre-launch procedures including propellant loading went as planned and the weather was also clear.

Stage separation:

The main engine cutoff was called at 2:35 minutes followed by the second-stage ignition consisting of a single Merlin Vaccum engine generating a thrust of 981 kN to lead the payload into orbit.

Stage Landing

Around 8:20 minutes into the mission, SpaceX landed the first stage on a remote droneship over its landing legs.

Deployment

In an hour, the deployment of 22 Starlink satellites was confirmed by the company to wrap up this mission.