Blastoff! SpaceX launches EarthCARE satellite, nails landing in California

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 28, 2024 at 6:20 p.m. EDT (2220 GMT or 3:20 p.m. local time in California). Full Story: www.space.com/spacex-earthcar...
he booster landed successfully back at Vandenberg, roughly eight minutes after launch, according to Space.com.
Credit: SpaceX

[@WG-tt6hk]

It never gets old & is always amazing the propulsive landings of the Falcon 9 booster.

[@pauldean7690]

3:00 First time I ever seen a boost back burn as stage one speeds away back to the landing site.

[@ChristianTreber]

Noticed, too, when it lit and sped away. Wouldn't have minded to see more!

[@DeniseClark-ev4uj]

The sound is unbelievable cool

[@vosa8268]

Perfect Machine. Perfect work in the world Perfect team in the world Perfect Mission. Thank you very much 290524.

[@SlipKnotRicky]

So, is that 2nd stage nozzle different, or is the image distorted?

[@nishyanthkumar]

according to another reply in this comment section, the change was made to cut down on use of the alloy that makes up the nozzle.

[@SlipKnotRicky]

@@nishyanthkumar Thanks, I thought I was seeing things again...

[@rock-bottom2023]

That is so freaking awesome!

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Does the fairing fall back to earth? I know dumb question but it doesnt seem it’s high enough to burn up re entering.

[@dl2839]

Yes, the fairings deploy a parachute, and a ship picks them up in the ocean. "Go Beyond" is the ship that is recovering the fairings in the ocean.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

@@dl2839 Thanks for the info.

[@dl2839]

@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMCNo problem.

[@pauldean7690]

A question is never considered dumb, rather a question is ask seeking knowledge.

[@user-uo7dl2sr3b]

Wow...

[@BenjySparky]

Amazing! ❤

[@DCresident123]

Must be nice for the MiC

[@eldritchsquirrel3138]

Awesome

[@leechjim8023]

Why does the vacuum engine have a different shape!? Not the usual bell shape.

[@dl2839]

The vacuum engine looks like that to save SpaceX money. It's cheaper because it doesn't use as much expensive alloy and is easier to make. The world's supply of Hafnium, a major component of the merlin Vacuum engine, is being strained by the flight rate of Falcon-9 rockets.

[@penguin44ca]

Plus the stubby doesn't give as much push which is ok because this payload doesn't need it. Makes it cheaper for SPX and the customer.

[@roverreporter943]

Great mission..........😁

[@nukuyun]

314th! Boi oh boi space x history in the making for space flight.

[@rfaulkner7565]

Didn't know a aluminium foil wine box bag could withstand 13,000 km/h

[@TheLuxentertainment]

There‘s almost no more air at that altitude…

[@antoniolopez9277]

There's no friction in space....

[@rfaulkner7565]

@@TheLuxentertainment so what is it out there that is filling the void?

[@madcarew5168]

Gonna study clouds.....

[@gower23]

Don't agree with the usage of the cheap compact upper stage nozzle. EarthCARE is an expensive scientific payload.

[@orogenicman]

They using stubby!

[@Rose-zf9md]

Beeindruckend ✨🌹🥳

[@lomgshorts3]

Watching a Falcon 9 launch NEVER grows old. Something NASA never attained, even with the Shuttle!!!

[@Play_games_edits]

Woowing

[@xShadowXscarx]

Whoever they have talking over the video has the most useless job ever, like Sigourney Weaver’s character in Galaxy Quest 😂🤣

[@blurtbum]

looks so fake..it must be real

[@flamingpitchfork9168]

This is the excellence you get when your CEO says "no way" to forced DEI hires.

[@vladimir7370]

and where is flat earth ? :-D i dont see flat ?

[@SharonRoberts-lh9cm]

Wpw

[@edwaldocamargo4387]

Existe uma grande força política para o carro elétrico no mundo inteiro, isso é um grande crime político contra o mundo inteiro menos para a Europa

[@luigi44ful]

Space x batting 100. NASA 0