Kennedy Space Center – Page 50

SpaceX completes static fire test for Sunday launch of secret satellite

April 25, 2017 Stephen Clark

Nine Merlin engines at the base of SpaceX’s next Falcon 9 rocket fired up Tuesday on a launch pad in Florida, wringing out the booster and ground systems ahead of a planned liftoff Sunday with a top secret payload for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency.

Watch a Falcon 9 rocket fire its engines Tuesday at pad 39A

April 25, 2017 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket completed a prelaunch hotfire test at launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday in a signifiant step before Sunday’s scheduled liftoff of a top secret U.S. government spy payload.

Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket on track for Sunday launch

April 25, 2017 Stephen Clark

SpaceX rolled out a Falcon 9 rocket to launch pad 39A early Tuesday for a prelaunch hotfire test before this weekend’s liftoff with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government spy satellite agency. The static fire test was completed at 3:02 p.m. (1902 GMT).

Photos: SpaceX’s photos from Thursday’s reflight of Falcon 9 booster

April 1, 2017 Stephen Clark

Remote sound-triggered cameras around launch pad 39A captured stunning views of Thursday evening’s launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the first reflight of a commercial orbital-class booster.

SpaceX flies rocket for second time in historic test of cost-cutting technology

March 31, 2017 Stephen Clark

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sporting a fresh cleaning and several refurbishments took off Thursday from a seaside launch pad in Florida to send an SES communications satellite into space, then landed on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean to repeat a feat the same booster achieved nearly one year ago.

Photos: Press site views of SpaceX’s rocket relaunch

March 31, 2017 Stephen Clark

These photos of Thursday evening’s successful relaunch of a Falcon 9 rocket booster, which returned to Earth after a maiden mission last year, were taken at the Kennedy Space Center press site about 3.1 miles from launch pad 39A.

Falcon 9 launch to landing replay

March 31, 2017 Spaceflight Now

Video from the SpaceX webcast, featuring the launch of the SES 10 satellite atop a previously-flown Falcon 9 rocket, followed by a successful barge landing by the first stage.

Watch replay of Falcon 9 launch as seen from the press site

March 30, 2017 Spaceflight Now

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, powered by a previously-flown booster, lifts off from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:27 p.m. EDT (2227 GMT) on March 30, 2017, carrying the SES 10 communications satellite. The launch marked the first time SpaceX has reused the first stage of one of its Falcon 9 rockets.

Photos: Previously-flown Falcon 9 booster ready for second launch

March 30, 2017 Stephen Clark

A Falcon 9 rocket is standing on launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for liftoff Thursday to carry the SES 10 communications satellite into orbit on the first mission SpaceX has attempted to re-fly one of its used boosters.

Previously flown Falcon 9 rocket lifted upright in readiness for launch

March 30, 2017 Spaceflight Now

Watch a time-lapse video of the 229-foot-tall (70-meter) Falcon 9 rocket being lifted into place on pad 39A in readiness for the launch of the SES 10 communications satellite. This will be a major milestone for SpaceX as it will mark the first time a flown Falcon 9 first stage has been reused.