Universe Today
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL - The
flawless blastoff of SpaceX's next generation Falcon 9 rocket
on Tuesday Dec. 3 put on a spectacular sky show along the Florida Space Coast that was both beautiful and unforgettable - besides being truly historic as the firms first ever delivery of a commercial space satellite to the lucrative market of geostationary orbit.
For your enjoyment here's a collection of photos and videos from fellow space photojournalists of the 5:41 p.m. EST sunset launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.
Following a pair of launch scrubs last week on Nov. 25 and Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28 caused by issues with the powerful new Merlin 1-D first stage engines, the third time was fat last the charm as the Falcon 9 blasted precisely at the opening of the 86 minute launch window.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 V1.1 rocket vents oxygen following Thursday evenings first launch attempt from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The first attempt was halted after computers showed that the engines had a slower than expected thrust rate upon startup. Credit: Walter Scriptunas II images[/caption]
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As the Falcon 9 begins to 'thread the needle' of the lightning wires, a shower of ice and flames and steam scatters, cascades and billows. Credit: nasatech.net[/caption]
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Clear of the catenary lightning wires, the Falcon 9/SES-8 mission streaks to orbit. Credit: nasatech.net[/caption]
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Beautiful streak shot of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch with SES-8 satellite on Dec. 3, 2013. Credit: John Studwell[/caption]
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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with SES-8 communications satellite soars to orbit. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_106950" align="aligncenter" width="386"]
Falcon 9/SES-8 streak to orbit on Dec. 3, 2013. Credit: Jeff Seibert[/caption]
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Falcon 9/SES-8 streak to orbit on Dec. 3, 2013. Credit: Jeff Seibert[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_106933" align="aligncenter" width="464"]
Wispy exhaust plume from SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch with SES-8 satellite on Dec. 3, 2013. Credit: John Studwell[/caption]
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Blastoff of Falcon 9/SES-8 satellite on Dec. 3, 2013. Credit: Julian Leek[/caption]
Launch Video
Stay tuned here for continuing SpaceX & MAVEN news and
Ken's
SpaceX and MAVEN launch reports from on site at Cape Canaveral & the Kennedy Space Center press site.
Ken Kremer
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