SpaceX F9 - 16th Reuse - SAOCOM 1A - SLC-4E

[arnolddeleon]

We are visiting my daughter at UCSB this weekend. A launch on Saturday night would been nice. The plan is drive home to the bay area this Sunday afternoon. If we stay for the launch it will be late by the time we get home and I have work tomorrow. Are easily accessible viewing sites available?

 

[palmer_md]

This might provide some indication, SpX Hazard Areas#8 [Raul] - Google My Maps
Stage separation happens at 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Boostback burn is at 2 minutes and 36 seconds.

Wow, if the orange circle in the diagram is correct then we should have a great view from the end of the Pier in Hermosa Beach. Not as good as driving up to Vandenberg like I was going to do yesterday, but should still be good, and we can get our kids home and into bed at a reasonable time.

 

[nwdiver]

In position; View from Harris Grade rd

 

[SMAlset]

Ah, music! Getting ready to roll on line with pre-launch video of the satellite cargo and launch update chats.


Coverage starting now on SpaceX.com. Nice night!

 

[SMAlset]

Landed at Vandenberg!

Posting some photos along the way.

Good orbit announced. Waiting for payload deployment. Done deal, sweet! Congrats TeamSpaceX. More photos to follow.

 

[Ulmo]

Success! Great pictures on first stage coming back.

 

[Grendal]

Success! Great visuals. The rocket seemed to hit the sunlight. So we may get some great plume videos.

 

[SMAlset]

Love the gas patterns. Must have been amazing to watch from below.

 

[SMAlset]

Stage 1 approaching the landing pad to touchdown. I was beginning to wonder when they were going to switch camera feeds for a close up of Stage 1 landing.

And touching down on the pad.

 

[RubberToe]

Launch was visible from Tom's Place resort not far from Mammoth Lakes. Watched it all the way to SECO!

Must have been spectacular from SoCal?

RT

 

[N5329K]

Perfect conditions on the Monterey Peninsula. Saw the long orange tail of the initial ascent, stage separation, second stage light off, first stage boost back, fairing jettison (no thruster action seen from those) reentry burn and a gorgeous stage two climb into orbit. Had to come back inside to see them stick the landing.
Well done SpaceX!
Robin

 

[Silent Ludicrosy]

I was able to see it from Phoenix!

 

[SMAlset]

And deployment

Amazing how the whole launch and deployment happened in under 13 minutes.

 

[SMAlset]

View attachment 341720 In position; View from Harris Grade rd

So how was it in person? Any sonic booms?

 

[Ulmo]

Perfect conditions on the Monterey Peninsula. Saw the long orange tail of the initial ascent, stage separation, second stage light off, first stage boost back, fairing jettison (no thruster action seen from those) reentry burn and a gorgeous stage two climb into orbit. Had to come back inside to see them stick the landing.
Well done SpaceX!
Robin

Next time I'll have to try to see it from home!

 

[Nikxice]

Success! Great visuals. The rocket seemed to hit the sunlight. So we may get some great plume videos.

Found a spectacular video from a Twitter posting. Likely many more to follow soon. The video begins right at staging.
Roger Craig Smith on Twitter

 

[ecarfan]

Wow, what an incredible launch and landing! I was even able to faintly see the rocket trail from my house, which shocked me.

Sorry I wasn’t able to be there in person. Have marked the November VAFB on my calendar.

 

[Camera-Cruiser]

From my deck in Fullerton, CA. About 160 miles down range, 12 miles inland or so. It was cool, watched the YouTube feed standing outside on my deck through kitchen window. About 20 seconds after launch it started to appear on the horizon. I yelled "rocket in the sky" at my daughter to come out of her room and she was blown away.

I impressed my 19 year old! I was tempted to tell her aliens... but, I'm mostly a good dad.

Strange, looking back and forth between the feed and the sky. The light show went off at the exact moment they called the engine off on the feed. Surreal. This is going to become a regular occurrence. Can't wait.

Plus should give Elon something else to tweet about.

Please don't use, reuse, resubmit these images. They should live here.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Yes, had a great view from north county San Diego. Could watch the second stage all the way to cut off.

 

[RichardL]

Wow!
Spectacular view on the peninsula, all the way to SECO. Also saw the first stage landing burn, amazing

Quite magical