A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster successfully launched from Launch Complex 39A yesterday (October 11th) carrying the Echostar 105 / SES-11 satellite. This is an interesting “Dual Mission” type of satellite, carrying two independent communications relay systems dedicated to two separate tasks which both cover the same general range over the Earth.
This launch was delayed from the originally planned date of the 7th due to issues that needed to be worked out involving the engines of the Falcon 9 1st stage. Clearly they did their job well as the payload made it to orbit and, once again, we have a successful 1st stage landing.
This mission comes just a few days after a launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and while these close together launches may seem impressive, these are 2 separate launch complexes on opposite sides of the country, working independently with full sets of resources – these launches aren’t happening from the same pad in a period of 2 or 3 days.
That little reality check in place, below is the livestream of the mission. Again, the typical SpaceX webcast, which is kind of terrible and filled with needless commentary (and crowd noise) but worth watching – the launches are beautiful, and the landing process is cool to see.
Launch happens a little after 13 minutes in. Enjoy.