Stunning SpaceX Starlink Launch into Sunny Skies after Several Space Coast Weather Delays: Photos

Rocket flames reflect in waters of Cape Canaveral AFB bay as recycled SpaceX Falcon 9 blasts off on Jan. 29, 2020 at 9:06 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL on 4^th Starlink mission with 60 internet broadband satellites.  The 1^st stage booster is on its 3^rd mission in this photo from on base.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

29 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – Slews of spectators were on hand to enjoy the absolutely stunning SpaceX launch of their next batch of 60 Starlink satellites into sunny skies on a used Falcon 9 rocket after poor Florida Space Coast and Atlantic Sea State weather forced several delays spanning over a week.  

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/stunning-spacex-starlink-launch-into-sunny-skies-after-several-space-coast-weather-delays/

SpaceX Next Starlink Launch Set for Jan. 27, Weather Permitting: Watch Live/Photos

Recycled SpaceX Falcon 9 stands poised for blast off on Jan. 27,  2020 at 9:49 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL on 4^th Starlink mission with 60 internet broadband satellites.  The 1^st stage booster is on its 3^rd mission in this sunset photo from Jan 26. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

26 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – SpaceX continues on a roll with their 3^rd Falcon 9 launch in the month of January now set for liftoff Monday morning Jan. 27 with the next batch of 60 Starlink satellites enlarging their constellation of broadband internet satellites – but with a very iffy weather outlook along the Florida Space Coast.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-next-starlink-launch-set-for-jan-27-weather-permitting-watch-live-photos/

SpaceX Completes Static Fire Test for Next Starlink, Poor Sea Weather Slides Launch to Jan. 24: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 2:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 20 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, for 4^th Starlink mission targeted for launch Jan. 24, 2020 at 10:54 a.m. EST – as seen from the Indian River, Titusville.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

21 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

TITUSVILLE, FL – Still basking in the glow of the super successful Crew Dragon In Flight Abort test on Sunday, Jan. 19 and under hazy Florida Space Coast skies and gusty winds SpaceX engineers completed an early afternoon static fire test of their recycled Falcon 9 rocket for the next Starlink mission on Monday, Jan. 20 on Cape Canaveral.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-completes-static-fire-test-for-next-starlink-poor-sea-weather-slides-launch-to-jan-24-photos/

NASA, SpaceX Successfully Demonstrate Astronaut Launch Escape System on Commercial Crew Dragon Spacecraft: Photos

NASA and SpaceX complete launch escape demonstration test of Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket on Jan. 19, 2020 with 10:30 a.m. ET liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on mission to show the spacecraft’s capability to safely separate from the rocket in the unlikely event of an inflight emergency from a failing rocket – from pad camera. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

19 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Today was a magnificent day for American human spaceflight following the ‘picture perfect’ demonstration test launch of the astronaut launch escape system for the commercial Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket 
that paves the way for a resumption of crew launches from American soil as soon as this spring 2020.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/nasa-spacex-successfully-demonstrate-astronaut-launch-escape-system-on-commercial-crew-dragon-spacecraft-photos/

Poor Weather Postpones SpaceX Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Demonstration Test to Jan 19: Photos

Up Close view of SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule bolted atop  Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule stand poised for liftoff at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL, for Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort (IFA) test.  As seen from pad 39A after sea weather scrub. IFA launch reset to Jan. 19, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

18 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The SpaceX Crew Dragon poised for liftoff on the critical In Flight Abort (IFA) demonstration test will have to sit on the ground  another day until Sunday morning, Jan. 19 because of poor weather conditions for the splashdown at sea - NASA and SpaceX officials announced early this morning Jan. 18 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/poor-weather-postpones-spacex-crew-dragon-in-flight-abort-demonstration-test-to-jan-19-photos/

SpaceX Crew Dragon Poised for Liftoff on In-Flight Abort Demonstration Test for NASA: Watch Live/Photos

Up Close view of SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule bolted atop  Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule stand poised for liftoff at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL, for Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort (IFA) test.  As seen from pad 39A. IFA launch slated for Jan. 18, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

17Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The SpaceX Crew Dragon is raised erect and poised for liftoff on the In Flight Abort (IFA) demonstration test on Saturday morning, Jan. 18 said NASA and SpaceX officials at the pre-test briefing today, Jan. 17 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-crew-dragon-poised-for-liftoff-on-in-flight-abort-demonstration-test-for-nasa-watch-live-photos/

SpaceX, NASA Give ‘GO’ for In-Flight Abort Demonstration Test

The uncrewed in-flight abort demonstration is targeted for 8 a.m. EST Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There is a four-hour test window.  Credits: SpaceX

16 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The NASA and SpaceX team has given the ‘GO’ for launch of the In Flight Abort (IFA) demonstration test on Saturday morning, Jan. 18 following the joint ‘Launch Readiness Review’ (LRR) held today. Jan. 16. 

Following the LRR SpaceX technicians raised the integrated Falcon 9 Dragon crew capsule stack vertical this evening in the 10 p.m. EST hour, Thursday, Jan. 16.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-nasa-give-go-for-in-flight-abort-demonstration-test/

2 Up/2 Off - 4 Time Recycled SpaceX Falcon 9 Landing Legs Retracted and Detached for Roll Back to Cape: Photos

Up Close look at base of 4x recycled Starlink Falcon 9 1st stage with 2 landing legs fully retracted on opposite sides and 2 landing legs still deployed down on opposite sides that were eventually fully detached and not successfully retracted at ground pedestal in Port Canaveral, Florida on Jan. 11, 2020. From Jan. 6 SpaceX Starlink 2 launch. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

12 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

PORT CANAVERAL/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – It was a evenly mixed bag of results for the SpaceX crane crews working on the landing legs of the 4 time recycled SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster from the Starlink 2 mission, as they were only able to successfully retract two while the other two were completely detached – perfect symmetry from opposite sides no less.

In other words the final outcome for the landing legs of the 156 foot tall 1^st stage was perfectly balanced and evenly split at - 2 Up and 2 Off!

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/2-up-2-off-4-time-recycled-spacex-falcon-9-landing-legs-retracted-and-detached-for-roll-back-to-cape-photos/

4th Time Recovered SpaceX 1st Stage from 3rd Starlink Launch Craned off Droneship onto Land After Hosing Clean: Photos

Up Close look at 4 landing legs and 9 Merlin 1D engines at base of recovered Starlink Falcon 9 1st stage craned off SpaceX recovery ship OCISLY around 3 PM EST Jan. 10, 2020 using Liebherr Mobile Harbor Crane - around a day after near sunset arrival atop OCISLY into Port Canaveral. Note: 9 Merlin 1D engines fully exposed.   From Jan. 6 SpaceX Starlink 2 launch. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

10 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

PORT CANAVERAL/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – Just about 22 hours after sailing back into Port Canaveral yesterday afternoon, Thursday, Jan. 9 the second quadruply launched & landed SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster was craned off the “Of Course I Still Love You” (OCISLY) droneship mid-afternoon Friday, Jan. 10 in a craning operation that utilized the new workhorse German-built Liebherr Mobile Harbor Crane – that only recently came into use on the prior Starlink booster return in November 2019 on the first quadruply recycled Falcon 9 booster.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/4th-time-recovered-spacex-1st-stage-from-3rd-starlink-launch-craned-off-droneship-onto-land-after-hosing-clean-photos/

SpaceX Conducts Static Fire Test for Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 10:10 a.m. EST on Jan. 11, 2020 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL, for Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort (IFA) test– – minus the Crew Dragon capsule. As seen from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

11 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer - - For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  SpaceX technicians conducted a successful static fire test this morning, Saturday, Jan. 11 of the Falcon 9 first stage rocket slated for the critical Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test (IFA) for NASA at Launch Complex-39A to prepare for the truly monumental upcoming launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – now confirmed for 1 week from today next Saturday Jan. 18.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-conducts-static-fire-test-for-crew-dragon-in-flight-abort-test-photos/

4th Time Recovered SpaceX 1st Stage from Starlink Launch Sails into Port Canaveral: Photos

Ocean spray from crashing waves against the Jetty Park beach rocks greets arrival of fourth-time launched Falcon 9 1^st stage booster landed atop “Of Course I Still Love You” (OCISLY) droneship into Port Canaveral late afternoon Jan. 9, 2020 – 3 days after SpaceX Starlink 2 launch Jan. 6 from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

9 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

PORT CANAVERAL/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – Barely three days after the thrilling first blastoff of 2020 streaked to orbit Monday night Jan. 6 from the Florida Space Coast on only the second quadruply launched SpaceX Falcon 9 booster on the 3^rd Starlink mission carrying 60 broadband internet satellites, the quadruply recovered 1^st stage booster sailed into Port Canaveral atop the OCISLY droneship Thursday during a rare late afternoon arrival Jan. 9 under picture perfect sunlight accompanied by crashing waves for an exciting arrival into Jetty Park Pier and Port Canaveral, Florida.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/4th-time-recovered-spacex-1st-stage-from-starlink-launch-sails-into-port-canaveral-photos/

SpaceX Rolls out and Raises Falcon 9 for Test Fire of Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test, KSC Launch Reset to Jan 18: Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort (IFA) test is raised at pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Jan. 9, 2020 ahead of a planned static test engine firing – minus the Crew Dragon capsule. IFA launch is NET Jan. 18, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

9 Jan 2020

Ken Kremer -- For  SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  Overnight Wednesday SpaceX technicians rolled out and raised a modified Falcon 9 rocket this morning, Thursday, Jan 9 slated for the Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test (IFA) at Launch Complex-39A to prepare for a critical static fire engine test in the coming days ahead of a truly monumental upcoming launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – now postposed to Jan. 18. 

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-rolls-out-and-raises-falcon-9-for-test-fire-of-crew-dragon-in-flight-abort-test-ksc-launch-reset-to-jan-18/

1st Launch of 2020 Streaks to Orbit with 3rd Set of SpaceX Starlink Satellites, Booster Lands: Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 streaks to orbit from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL on 3^rd Starlink mission after launch Jan. 6, 2020 at 9:19 p.m. EST.  The 1^st stage booster is only the second one to launch 4 times. ULA Delta IV rocket stands inside launch tower at right at Complex 37. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

6 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – The first launch of 2020 streaked to orbit Monday evening Jan 6 kicking off what is expected to be a busy year at the Florida Space Coast with a breathtaking nighttime launch by SpaceX of the 3^rd batch of their Starlink broadband internet satellites on a used Falcon 9 thereby enlarging the constellation to some 180 – under outstanding weather conditions. 


Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/1st-launch-of-2020-streaks-to-orbit-with-3rd-set-of-spacex-starlink-satellites-booster-lands/

Nightime SpaceX Starlink Launch Set to Open 2020 Launch Season Jan. 6: Watch Live

UpClose look at payload fairing housing 60 Starlink satellites for launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 on Jan. 6, 2019 at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

6 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – A breathtaking nighttime launch by SpaceX enlarging their Starlink constellation of broadband internet satellites is set to open the 2020 launch season at the Florida Space Coast under expected skies this evening Monday, Jan. 6  – and the weather outlook is outstanding!


Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/nightime-spacex-starlink-launch-set-to-open-2020-launch-season-jan-6-watch-live/

SpaceX Completes Static Fire Test on Recycled Falcon 9 - Targets 3rd Starlink Liftoff Jan. 6 on 1st 2020 launch: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 12:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 4 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, for 3^rd Starlink mission targeted for launch Jan. 6, 2020 at 9:19 p.m. EST – as seen from the Indian River, Titusville.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

4 January  2020 

Ken Kremer - -For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

TITUSVILLE, FL- Under gloomy Florida Space Coast skies and shortly before drenching showers rolled in SpaceX engineers completed a noontime static fire test of their recycled Falcon 9 rocket today Saturday, Jan. 4 on Cape Canaveral and are now targeting Monday evening Jan. 6 for launch of the third batch of 60 SpaceX built and owned Starlink broadband satellites to LEO – and the weather outlook is outstanding!

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/spacex-completes-static-fire-test-on-recycled-falcon-9-targets-3rd-starlink-liftoff-jan-6-on-1st-2020-launch-photos/

NASA Prepares Artemis I SLS Core Stage for Shipment on Pegasus Barge

Teams at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans moved the core stage, complete with all four RS-25 engines, for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to Building 110 for final shipping preparations on Jan. 1, 2020. It will be shipped via the agency’s Pegasus barge from Michoud to NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  Credit: NASA/Jude Guidry

2 January  2020

Ken Kremer - - For Spaceupclose.com and RocketSTEM

MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY, LA/CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  The NASA, Boeing  and Aerojet Rocketdyne team is now in the final stages of preparing the first completed Space Launch System (SLS) rocket core stage for the Artemis 1 Moon mission for shipment via the Pegasus barge from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana to NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. 

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/nasa-prepares-artemis-i-sls-core-stage-for-shipment-on-pegasus-barge/

NASA Astronaut Christina Koch Breaks Record for Longest Female Spaceflight

Expedition 61 Flight Engineer and NASA astronaut Christina Koch handles media bags that enable the manufacturing of organ-like tissues using the BioFabrication Facility (BFF), a 3-D biological printer. The BFF could become a part of a larger system capable of manufacturing whole, fully-functioning human organs from existing patient cells in microgravity, in this photo taken on Dec. 22, 2019 as part of her record setting mission for longest female spaceflight.  Credit: NASA

29 December 2019

Ken Kremer - For Spaceupclose.com and RocketSTEM

Cape Canaveral, FL –  NASA astronaut Christina Koch has broken the record for the longest single spaceflight by a female spaceflyer this past week on Saturday Dec. 28 when she broke the record of 289 continuous days in space while living and working aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. 

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/01/nasa-astronaut-christina-koch-breaks-record-for-longest-female-spaceflight/

NASA Mars 2020 Rover Completes First Test Drive

In a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, engineers observed the first driving test for NASA's Mars 2020 rover on Dec. 17, 2019. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

30 December 2019

Ken Kremer – SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Just in time for the Christmas Holiday season NASA’s next Mars rover launching in July 2020 completed its first test drive as engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory finalize the agency’s SUV-sized Red Planet explorer for it daring mission ahead.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2019/12/nasa-mars-2020-rover-completes-first-test-drive/