The first time I've ever felt compelled to name one of my launch photos... Ladies and gents, I give you "Eye of Elon" - the nebula/aurora created by the interaction of the CRS-20 1st and 2nd stages during boostback.
https://ift.tt/2v4VPN3

Submitted March 08, 2020 at 10:07PM by spiel2001
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SpaceX: “Happy International Women’s Day! Here’s to the women who are helping make humanity multiplanetary 🚀”
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Submitted March 09, 2020 at 01:11AM by rustybeancake
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<b>SAOCOM 1B Launch Campaign Thread</b>
<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-6p2MzXsAA-XVD.jpg"></a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/ffoz5r/SAOCOM_1B_Launch_Campaign_Thread/#siteTable_t3_ffoz5r">JUMP TO COMMENTS</a>SAOCOM 1BOverviewSAOCOM 1B is the second of the two satellite SAOCOM 1 satellites and will launch into a sun-synchronous polar orbit from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral AFS. Previously, <a href="/r/spacex/wiki/launches#wiki_62_.2013_saocom_1a">SAOCOM 1A</a> launched from Vandenberg AFB in 2018 aboard Falcon 9 and was the first RTLS mission on the west coast. SAOCOM 1 are synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellites intended to <a href="https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/saocom">support disaster management</a> such as flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, and to conduct monitoring services for agriculture, mining and ocean applications, including monitoring surveys of Antarctica. The SAOCOM spacecraft are operated by <a href="https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ciencia/conae">CONAE</a>, the Argentinian National Space Activities Commission, and are built in Argentina by <a href="http://www.invap.com.ar/en/">INVAP</a>. The <a href="https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ciencia/conae/misiones-espaciales/saocom">SAOCOM 1 and 2 constellations will operate in concert</a> with the four satellite Italian <a href="https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/cosmo-skymed-1.htm">COSMO-SkyMed</a> constellation to provide twice daily coverage.This mission includes rideshare payloads Sequoia, and GNOMES-1. It will be the <a href="https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/10/45th-space-wing-discuss-polar-launch-corridor-florida/">first polar launch from the Florida Space Coast in 60 years</a>. The launch azimuth will be southward skirting the Florida coastline. The booster will land at LZ-1 and stage 2 will continue south over the Caribbean Sea and Cuba. The launch time is approximately 20 minutes before sunset.Liftoff currently scheduled for:March 30 23:21 UTC (7:21PM local EDT)Backup dateTBDStatic fireTBDPayloadsSAOCOM 1B, Sequoia, GNOMES-1Payload mass~3000 kgOperational orbitSSO, 620 km x 97.89°VehicleFalcon 9 v1.2 Block 5Coreunknown (<a href="/r/SpaceX/wiki/cores">see available cores</a>)Past flights of this core-Fairing catch attemptlikelyLaunch site<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/pads">SLC-40</a>, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station*, FloridaLandingLZ-1, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station*, FloridaMission success criteriaSuccessful separation & deployment of all payloads into nominal orbits*CCAFS to be eventually renamed Cape Canaveral Space Force StationPayload InfoPriorityNameOperatorDeveloper/ManufacturerMass (kg)DescriptionPrimarySAOCOM 1BCONAEINVAP, CONAE, CNEA, VENGA SA<a href="http://www.invap.com.ar/en/aerospace-and-government/space-projects/saocom-satellites.html">~3000</a><a href="https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/saocom-1.htm">L-band SAR Earth observation disaster monitoring</a> (Gunter's Space Page)RideshareSequoia (Capella-2)Capella SpaceCapella Space<a href="https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/capella-2.htm">~100</a><a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=209548&x=.">X-band SAR Earth observation, in-space performance assessments and evaluate proposed Capella satellite technology</a> (PDF - FCC.gov)RideshareGNOMES-1PlanetiQBlue Canyon Technologies, PlanetiQ<a href="https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/gnomes-1.htm">~30</a><a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=237856&x=.">Earth weather observation via radio occultation, Pyxis receiver tracks dual-frequency signals from all four major GNSS constellations via open loop tracking in atmosphere</a> (PDF - FCC.gov)Watching the LaunchSpaceX will host a live webcast on YouTube. Check the upcoming launch thread the day of for links to the stream. For more information or for in person viewing check out the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/faq/watching">Watching a Launch page</a> on…

Mary: The highway at Boca Boca Chica is now open. The cryo pressure test on SN2 test tank is complete and it was not a popper. It is still a little frosty. @NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1236855282946510854?s=20

Submitted March 09, 2020 at 04:38AM by jeronimoek
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SpaceX raising over $500 million, double what Elon Musk's company planned to bring in
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Submitted March 09, 2020 at 05:32PM by ethan829
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Momentus to Provide Unmatched Flexibility for SpaceX Rideshare Missions
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Submitted March 09, 2020 at 07:07PM by ethan829
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Elon Musk on Twitter: SN2 (with thrust puck) passed cryo pressure & engine thrust load tests late last night
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1237087558376599554

Submitted March 09, 2020 at 07:48PM by ReKt1971
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SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN2 Test Tank Cryo Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlDBjHa0NkU&feature=emb_logo

Submitted March 09, 2020 at 06:12PM by ReKt1971
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Elon Musk Keynote Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPV8Xp3pEpI

Submitted March 09, 2020 at 09:30PM by amadora2700
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SpaceX on track to launch first NASA astronauts in May, COO Gwynne Shotwell says
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Submitted March 10, 2020 at 09:10PM by ReKt1971
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SpaceX Looking to Compete for $16 Billion in Federal Broadband Subsidies
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Submitted March 12, 2020 at 12:21PM by rrwerner
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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket [B1035] debuts on display at Space Center Houston
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Submitted March 12, 2020 at 02:05PM by collectSPACE
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Falcon 9 Ribbon cutting at Space Center Houston
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Submitted March 12, 2020 at 07:22PM by Larakin
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SpaceX on Twitter - "Tracking footage from last week’s launch — Falcon 9’s two stages separate; second stage propels Dragon to the @space_station as the first stage reorients and performs a boostback burn before landing back on Earth"
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238288752394592257

Submitted March 13, 2020 at 03:20AM by jclishman
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SpaceX Boca Chica, Texas Aerial Update!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=vt0NJRuyK-A&feature=emb_logo

Submitted March 12, 2020 at 02:58PM by ReKt1971
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Help SpaceX Compete for $16 Billion in Federal Broadband Subsidies
TL;DR -- the public has an opportunity to help convince FCC to give SpaceX an equitable chance to bid for $16 billion in subsidies for Starlink.Details (summarized from this WSJ article)The FCC has earmarked $16 billion to improve internet service in rural areas over the next 10 years -- called the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.The money is set to be doled out in an October auction to low bidders offering the best service in locations across the country.In the version of the proposal the FCC approved on Feb. 28, the agency left open the possibility that low-Earth-orbit satellite services (like Starlink) could qualify as low-latency and asked for public comments on SpaceX’s assertions.If the FCC were to adopt SpaceX’s suggestions, that could allow the company to bid in the auction on equal footing with more established technologies, such as fiber-optic cable.What can r/SpaceX do?Per this public notice, the FCC is seeking "comment on proposed competitive bidding procedures" by March 27th, 2020.From my view, the most impactful contribution this community could make to SpaceX would come from a three-part strategy:Collaborate on what the most effective message would be to send to the FCCDevelop clear step-by-step instructions for submitting comments to the FCCMobilize this community to comment en masse with the agreed-upon, compelling messageI'll be upfront that I'm not sure what that message is at the moment; I haven't spent the time to familiarize myself with the nuances of the FCC's proposed bidding procedure for this program. But I'm happy to work with the community to think about it.I don't believe having thousands of people writing "SpaceX is awesome!" to the FCC will help -- in fact, it would likely be a distraction from more compelling arguments in SpaceX's favor.I'm not sure entirely where to go from here, but perhaps let's see what comments come out of this post and I'll defer to the mods of r/SpaceX to choose the best path forward.

Submitted March 12, 2020 at 03:34PM by rrwerner
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<b>r/SpaceX Starlink 5 Official Launch Discussion & Updates Thread</b>
<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20section%20intro"></a>Welcome to the <a href="/r/SpaceX">r/SpaceX</a> Starlink-5 Official Launch Discussion & Updates Thread!Mission OverviewThe fifth operational batch of Starlink satellites (sixth overall) will lift off from LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission is expected to deploy all sixty satellites into an elliptical orbit about fifteen minutes after launch. In the weeks following, the satellites will use their onboard ion thrusters to reach their operational altitude of 550 km. The spacecraft will take advantage of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nodal_precession">precession</a> to separate themselves into three orbital planes of 20 satellites each. Falcon 9's first stage will land on a drone ship approximately 628 km downrange, its fifth landing overall.Mission DetailsLiftoff currently scheduled for:March 14, 13:42 UTC (9:42AM local)Backup dateMarch 15, the launch time gets roughly 21-24 minutes earlier each day.Static fireExpected March 13, with the payload matedPayload60 Starlink version 1 satellitesPayload mass60 * 260 kg = 15,600 kgDeployment orbitLow Earth Orbit, 212 km x 386 km (approximate)Operational orbitLow Earth Orbit, 550 km x 53°, 3 planesVehicleFalcon 9 v1.2 Block 5Core<a href="/r/SpaceX/wiki/cores#wiki_b1048">B1048</a>Past flights of this core4 (Iridium 7, SAOCOM 1A, Nusantara Satu, Starlink-1 (v1.0 L1))Fairing catch attemptYes, both halvesLaunch site<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/pads#wiki_cape_canaveral.2C_florida.2C_usa">LC-39A</a>, Kennedy Space Center, FloridaLandingOCISLY: 32.54722 N, 75.92306 W (628 km downrange)Mission success criteriaSuccessful separation & deployment of the Starlink Satellites.<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20section%20events"></a>TimelineTimeUpdate<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20row%200"></a> T-1d 0hFalcon 9 is being raised vertical on the pad for today's static fire.<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20row%201"></a> T-1d 1hFalcon 9 has rolled out to the pad at LC-39A for a static fire test ahead of tomorrow's launch.<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20section%20viewing"></a>Watch the launch liveStreamCourtesy<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI0Hodo5o5dUb67FeUjDeA">SpaceX Webcast</a>SpaceX<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI0Hodo5o5dUb67FeUjDeA">SpaceX Mission Control Audio</a>SpaceX<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20section%20stats"></a>Starlink Tracking & Viewing Resources:ResourceCourtesy<a href="https://celestrak.com/cesium/pass-viz-beta.php?source=CelesTrak&tle=/NORAD/elements/supplemental/starlink.txt&satcat=/pub/satcat.txt#visualization/pass">Celestrak.com</a><a href="/u/TJKoury">u/TJKoury</a><a href="https://www2.flightclub.io/pass-planner">Flight Club Pass Planner</a><a href="/u/theVehicleDestroyer">u/theVehicleDestroyer</a><a href="https://www.heavens-above.com/">Heavens Above</a><a href="https://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=70000">n2yo.com</a><a href="https://findstarlink.com">findstarlink - Pass Predictor and sat tracking</a><a href="/u/cmdr2">u/cmdr2</a><a href="https://www.satflare.com/track.asp?q=StarLinkLaunch#TOP">SatFlare</a><a href="https://james.darpinian.com/satellites/?special=starlink">See A Satellite Tonight - Starlink</a><a href="/u/modeless">u/modeless</a><a href="https://twitter.com/StarlinkUpdates">Starlink orbit raising daily updates</a><a href="/u/hitura-nobad">u/hitura-nobad</a><em>They might need a few hours to get the Starlink TLEs</em>Stats&#9745;&#65039; 91st SpaceX launch&#9745;&#65039; 83rd Falcon 9 launch&#9745;&#65039; 27th Falcon 9 Block 5 launch&#9745;&#65039; 5th flight of B1056, the first booster to fly 5 times&#9745;&#65039; 51st Landing of a Falcon 1st Stage&#9745;&#65039; 20th SpaceX launch from KSC LC-39A&#9745;&#65039; 6th SpaceX launch this year, and decade!&#9745;&#65039; 2nd Falcon 9 launch this month<a href="/#%20MC%20//%20section%20mission"></a>Useful ResourcesEssentialsLinkSource[Press kit](Coming soon!)<a href="htt…

SpaceX on Twitter: Fairing previously flew on first Starlink flight in May 2019
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610287256723456

Submitted March 14, 2020 at 12:39AM by _Andreww_
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SpaceX on Twitter: Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting Sunday, March 15 at 9:22 a.m. EDT, 13:22 UTC, for launch of 60 Starlink satellites from LC-39A in Florida
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610281581785088

Submitted March 14, 2020 at 12:38AM by ReKt1971
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SpaceX readying for Sunday’s sixth Starlink launch, first fifth booster flight
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Submitted March 13, 2020 at 11:07PM by CProphet
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SpaceX Raising $250 million in another funding round
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Submitted March 13, 2020 at 08:46PM by 00I
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