SpaceX
Falcon 9 will make a return with two new SpaceX missions
SpaceX has officially announced two new back-to-back missions to mark a return for Falcon 9 after a recent booster crash during a landing.
A few days ago, SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites into orbit and the booster supporting this mission completed its 23rd landing. Soon after touchdown, the rocket tipped over and exploded.
FAA took an instant notice of the anomaly and announced an investigation. Although the investigation will continue, the FAA is not holding new Flacon 9 flights.
Today, the company announced it’s targeting back-to-back Falcon 9 launches from California and Florida. The rocket maker has yet to share the details of this mission but the flight is now available.
The first mission will liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The liftoff is targeted for 3:43 a.m. ET. Additional backup launch opportunities are available on Sunday, September 1 starting at 1:16 a.m. ET.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Lifting off (Source – SpaceX)
This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. It previously launched CRS-24, OneWeb 1, SES 18 and 19, Eetelsat HOTBIRD-F1, and 13 Starlink missions.
After hot-staging, the booster will land on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
On the other hand, the Polaris Dawn launch is still pending and it is waiting for the weather to clear for Dragon splashdown, learn more about it here.
(source)
