Sunny launch for Sun-synchronous payload

SpaceX
January 14, 2022
Michael Howard
Mid-morning Florida sunlight shines upon the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it propels the Transporter-3 mission off the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo credit: Michael Howard / We Report Space
Mid-morning Florida sunlight shines upon the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it propels the Transporter-3 mission off the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo credit: Michael Howard / We Report Space

Cape Canaveral S.F.S. FL- On January 13, 2022, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 at 10:25 AM EST and the Transporter 3 ride-share mission. The Falcon 9 came to life and rose into beautiful Florida skies from Space Launch Complex 40 marking the second launch from the space coast in 2022. Unusual for Florida-based launches, the Falcon 9 flew a mostly southern course along the coastline, aiming to deliver its payload into a nearly-polar, sun-synchronous orbit.

Prior to fueling, it seemed that even Mother Nature wanted a bird’s eye view as dozens of birds flew towards the Falcon 9.  Photo Credit: Michael Howard / We Report Space

Transporter 3 was a ride share flight for several nations taking a number of micro and nano satellites into orbit. Shortly after launch, SpaceX made a perfect landing of this previously flown booster at LZ-1. This was the tenth flight and recovery for this booster, whose re-entry from near space sent the characteristic triple sonic boom reverberating across the space coast as the rocket’s first stage touched down at the landing pad.

Eager spectators gather along the beachfront in Cape Canaveral to view the Falcon 9 launch and landing. Photo Credit: Michael Seeley / We Report Space

Photos

Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Seeley)

January 13, 2022
Michael Seeley
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Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Seeley): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Seeley): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Seeley):

Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard)

January 13, 2022
Michael Howard
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Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard): Falcon 9 / Transporter-3 (Michael Howard):
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