Marc’s note: SpaceX will attempt their return to flight Sunday evening with the launch of ORBCOMM-2 mission from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This follows the successful static fire test on Friday.
Of note, SpaceX may attempt landing of the Falcon 9 rockets first stage at Space Launch Complex 13.
Update: You can watch the launch live on SpaceRef on the SpaceX channel starting at 8:00 p.m. ET (0100 GMT).
Marc’s Update: The launch has been delayed 24 hours as there will be more favourable conditions for a landing attempt tomorrow. The new launch window is between time is 8:29 – 8:34 p.m. ET.


SpaceX landing complex at SLC-13

17 replies on “SpaceX Return to Flight Scheduled for Monday”

  2. Possibly a better chance of success with a ground landing vrs the floating platform . Now if the weather cooperates .

    1. Our first significant cold front moved down the state a few days ago (in winter, Florida’s weather is controlled by these fronts; in summer by differential heating and attendant winds).

      This means that the air is fairly stable and temperatures are cool, by our standards, at least; here in Naples lows were in the mid 50’s. It’s been a bit windy as a high pressure system moves out over the Atlantic, but by 8 PM these should be calm. This evening should be perfect.

      And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your Arm Chair Prognostication.

    1. Please note that what Blue Origin did is only very slightly comparable to what SpaceX is doing.

      Blue Origin’s comparatively small rocket (about the height of one of Falcon’s landing legs), popped up to 62 miles and fell straight back down.

      Falcon is heading toward orbit and moves out over the Atlantic away from Florida at well in excess of the speed of sound, attains an altitude roughly twice what Blue Origin reached, turns around, comes back through the atmosphere at supersonic speeds, and lands in a different location from which it left.

      The complexity of this is about 100 times what Blue Origin did.

      1. I still want to know how they landed the capsule; was there a cushioning system? If not, what kind of jolt?

        1. There is a “retro-thrust system” that fires rockets to slow the capsule just before landing, similar to what the Soyuz does.

          “The crew capsule descends under parachutes for a smooth landing, in the same way as the earliest space pioneers. Three independent parachutes provide redundancy, while a retro-thrust system further cushions your landing.”

          https://www.blueorigin.com/…

  10. I just pulled off the freeway to watch the launch and landing. Literally jaw dropping, I hope nobody in the parking lot was watching me. Congratulations SpaceX

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