SpaceX CRS-9 missed launch, in Canada.

We were disappointed to miss this launch AND landing, but we were happy with family in Canada all week.

Approaching YYZ

The official stats:

July 18	Falcon 9   •  SpaceX CRS 9
Launch time: 0445:29 GMT (12:45:29 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 11th Dragon spacecraft on the ninth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 9, June 24, June 27 and July 16. Read our full story. [July 18]

Space!

Ryan

A new star in the sky. #OA6 #Cygnus off to #ISS via #AtlasV @ULAlaunch @OrbitalATK @NASA @NASAKennedy

With less than one minute until launch, the rooftop of OSB-II fell silent. A few awkward funny noises were made followed by giggles, because after all there are high school experiments in this cargo vessel to the International Space Station. After the rocket cleared the tower, there were sighs of relief and lots of cheering from scientists, politicians, technologists, rocketeers and their families watching their payloads lift off into space. The cheering continued with remarks like "wow" and "it's so bright!" It almost looked like the rocket was curving towards us in an optical illusion as it climbed higher and higher and towards the North. Its orbital trajectory took it over the Atlantic Ocean and from our perspective look like it was starting to go downwards. Overall a beautiful arc in a fairly clear sky. The engines flickered out and it was in space, a new star in the sky, and a new satellite orbiting Earth bound to resupply the space station. I saw friends from +Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), +Made In Space, +University of Central Florida, and +NASA volunteers. Thank you +NanoRacks and DreamUp for hosting +Space Florida at this launch! Congratulations to United Launch Alliance and +Orbital ATK on a successful launch!

Arcing up and then away to the chase the +International Space Station

Sonic boom finale in spectacular @SpaceX return to flight mission! #LZ1 #OG2 #LC40 #RTF

On the longest night of the year, +SpaceX lit up the sky twice by launching and landing a rocket in Florida!

In this photo composition, the Falcon 9 rocket streaks to space (on the left) and ~8-10 minutes later (on the right) it's first stage returns to Earth for a safe landing. My tweet of this photo reached over 8,000 people last night alone. With all the launch gazers on the space coast (and further in Florida and online all over the world) sending out their photos and thoughts, just imagine how this multiplier effect could reach and inspire the next Elon(a) Musk(s).

#MUOS4 Spectacular launch with angelic contrails on #AtlasV

A spectacular launch! Even though all I had to do was roll out of bed and push down my remote for my camera, I was still up early, even before the baby. The launch was super bright and nice and slow. I was listening to the launch control center and got a very good play by play. The rocket reached Mach 1 and MaxQ right before it passed over our viewable area on our balcony. I heard that the solid rockets had separated and ran across the condo. The rest of the launch gazing was spectacular! White angle-like strands of contrails were coming off the rocket, almost like a comet. What a view of the Atlas V rocket and the MUOS-4 payload as the upper stage burned in the sunrise. Nice launch United Launch Alliance!

The spine of the rocket launch. A magical contrail that was lit up by the morning sunrise approaching. It is called a Twilight phenomena. A colleague said it looks like an underwater creature. I guess it's a 'space Rorschach' image!

The angelic contrail could be seen from as far away as South Carolina. It was amazing.

Here's the standard rocket contrail, but it was really the upper atmosphere show that was magical.

The official stats:

Sept. 2

Atlas 5   •  MUOS 4

Launch time: 1018 GMT (6:18 a.m. EDT) Launch site:SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-056, launched the fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Aug. 31. Read our full story. [Sept. 2]

Space!

Ryan

That was a pretty launch. What was it? #MMS #AtlasV launch #CapeLife #MeatballMarinaraSub

Another mission that I have no clue about has successfully launched from Cape Canaveral! But now that I've watched "MMS" launch I'm going to look up what the Magical Moonlight Spaceship acronym stands for and the cool science it will perform. It's a NASA science mission right? The point I'm trying to make is that launches can inspire everyone to learn more about space exploration. Image this scenario... An unknown rocket roaring in the distance soars into the night sky as a young child pulls back their blinds to watch the blinding glow of it's fiery engines and wonders where it is going, and what it will see. In the coming weeks as the child learns about their first launch by the images being returned to Earth, they wonder when they will get to rocket into space...

MMS, the Meatball Marinara Sub soars into space over Cape Canaveral. The composite includes four 30-second exposures. The Big Dipper shines bright in the upper right of the photo.

I just learned what MMS stands for by adding the official stats. 4 spacecraft! Cool!

March 12/13Atlas 5 • MMS

Launch window: 0244-0314 GMT on 13th (10:44-11:14 p.m. EDT on 12th)

Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, mission. The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission will use four identical spacecraft, variably spaced in Earth orbit, to make three-dimensional measurements of magnetospheric boundary regions and examine the process of magnetic reconnection. The rocket will fly in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Nov. 26. [Sept. 3]

Space!

Ryan

Forget the hashtags, a rocket is launching! ABS 3A & Eutelsat 115 West B #SpaceX #Falcon9 #RocketPic

If only every weekend could end with a launch! This was the bare minimum launch viewing effort, setting up the camera with 15 minutes to launch, starting the 30-second exposures at blast off, and holding the puppy and watching the rocket light up the night sky. By the time the +SpaceX Falcon 9 was out of sight from our balcony (because it was heading south), the sound came rumbling in (we are 12 miles from LC-40). We ran to the other side of the building to watch MECO and the 2nd stage light. Then ~10 minutes later the dog was walked, the equipment was away, and we were off to dream about the next launch.

5 exposures of 30-seconds (broken out below). I changed the white balance from last time giving a more natural color instead of an orangey fire streak.

I like the individual segments because it tells you a lot about the rocket's motion and the brightness intensity at various stages. The first is super bright from reflections and the humidity haze.

The official stats:

March 1/2Falcon 9 • Eutelsat 115 West B & ABS 3A

Launch window: 0350-0432 GMT on 2nd (10:50-11:32 p.m. EST on 1st)

Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Eutelsat 115 West B and ABS 3A communications satellites. Eutelsat 115 West B will provide the Americas with video, data, government, and mobile services for Paris-based Eutelsat. ABS 3A will distribute television programming, Internet and mobile phone connectivity, and maritime services across the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East for Asia Broadcast Satellite of Bermuda and Hong Kong. Built by Boeing, the satellites are the first spacecraft to launch in a conjoined configuration and are the first payloads to use all-electric propulsion for orbit-raising. Delayed from Feb. 17 and Feb. 27. [Feb. 27]

Space!

Ryan

#MUOS3 launch on #AtlasV from the ITL Causeway

A spectacular night launch once again (really, can a night launch suck?) and I watched with my friend Ryan from the CCAFS ITL Causeway. I have to admit that I didn't read up on the launch before hand, but I did know there were 5 solid rockets in this Atlas configuration. This was the 31st launch since Jen and I moved to Florida in Sept. 2012, 28 of which I've watched (29 if you include hearing it in the middle of the night).

I'm pretty happy about this fluke exposure during the launch countdown and I inadvertently learned a zoom trick for focusing the lens. 

This is a composite of two 30-second exposures overlaid on a dark exposure. Playing with the filters, this one stood out as a fire bird heading to space.

The rocket is actually heading towards the bottom of the image. Orion is in the top right corner. There are three 30-second exposures overlaid.

The official stats:

Jan. 20/21Atlas 5 • MUOS 3

Launch time: 0043-0127 GMT on 21st (7:43-8:27 p.m. EST on 20th)

Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-052, will launch the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket will fly in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [Jan. 12]

Space!

Ryan

CLIO launch to space on an Atlas 5

Seth and I watched from the CCAFS ITL Causeway, it was his first launch up close even though he has lived in Florida his whole life. The window started at 5:44pm and the weather delays pushed it right to the window end at 8:10pm. It was a beautiful night launch. I was busy giving everyone around us updates and unfortunately I had my camera turned off for the most important few minutes, the actual launch! That photo-miss left a bitter taste in my mouth, but that would be soon forgotten with the upcoming SpaceX launch of CRS-4! I did happen to get the launch on my iPhone in "HD" and it was really cool to be able to see the rocket's flame through the cloud deck as it streaked away and punched through each layer. It's also fun to watch the lens flare in the video. We also saw a large alligator swimming back and forth along the inlet watching the launch watchers. There was a Dolphin to the south as well for the full nature show. Seth was super excited about the experience (so was I except missing the photo) and that's what launch viewing is all about!

Rocket avec gator.

Whoops! This was an unfortunate user error...

The official stats:

Sept. 16/17	Atlas 5  •  CLIO
Launch time: 0010 GMT on 17th (8:10 p.m. EDT on 16th) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-049, launched the CLIO mission on a commercial flight for a U.S. government customer. See our Mission Status Center. [Sept. 16]

Space!

Ryan

The late night integrated by parts photo adventure that is chasing rocket launches #AsiaSat6 #Falcon9 #SpaceX

Once again you can't go wrong with a night launch from anywhere in Cape Canaveral. Sometimes being further away from the pad is better for capturing a time elapsed rocket lighting a black sky with a fire contrail and eerie pumpkin glowing clouds. The best part is that you're not going to capture a nice solo shot of the rocket, so you can set the camera up, hit the trigger (I have a simple photo capture trigger that I can lock on), and sit back and watch the launch. Or in my case grab an iPhone for that extra video memory of "you were there, watching at 1am". It was truly an awesome launch, especially after missing the last three, proving that I may have a launch watching addiction. The long rocket flame streaking from behind the clouds was spectacular! Since I was taking a time elapsed photo, I tried to capture that on video (YouTube video below), but it's not capable of that resolution with the absolute brightness. I wasn't sure if the launch would get delayed in the super long launch window just like the previous +SpaceX launch, but Teddy barked into the night at T-5 to tell everyone is was "rocket-time". Interesting fact, dogs can hear the intense sound wave before humans, so you can hear Teddy bark 82 seconds into the flight before the loud rumble even begins (I stopped filming before that hit as Teddy got really nervous so I put the toys away to make sure he was alright). We ran to the other side of the condo for the finale, but I couldn't see the rocket at that point. I think we heard and felt the rumble for 4-5 minutes after launch. I was super excited from the rush of the launch, so I uploaded some photos right away before getting to bed finally!

AsiaSat 6 going for a late night adventure on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9. This photo is a composite of 5 photos, each 30 seconds long, but the duration of view was under 2 minutes.

AsiaSat 6 on a Falcon 9 launched by SpaceX. The 5 photos used in the composite above. The late night integrated by parts photo adventure that is chasing rocket launches.

The official stats:

Sept. 7	Falcon 9  •  AsiaSat 6
Launch time: 0500 GMT (1:00 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the AsiaSat 6 communications satellite. AsiaSat 6 will support video broadcasting and broadband networks for customers in Asia, Australia, India and the Pacific islands. Delayed from May, Aug. 26, Aug. 27 and Sept. 6. See our Mission Status Center. [Sept. 7]

Space!

Ryan

GPS 2F-5 Night Launch on Delta 4

This is why living in Cape Canaveral rocks! After softball I rushed home to set up the camera on the balcony. The first photo merge is from two, 30 second exposures. Then we ran across the condo out the front door and the second merge is of five, 30 second exposures, leading up to MECO (Main Engine Cut-Off).

GPS 2F-5 on a humid night leaves Cape Canaveral launched on a Delta 4

On a clear night you can watch the rocket all the way to Main Engine Cutt-Off (MECO) and into the stars

The official stats:

Feb. 20/21

Delta 4  •  GPS 2F-5

Launch time: 0159 GMT on 21st (8:59 p.m. EST on 20th) Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket deployed the Air Force's fifth Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Oct. 17, Oct. 23 and Dec. 12. See our Mission Status Center. [Feb. 20]

Space!

Ryan

TDRS‬-L launch from the streets of Cape Canaveral

A major commercial space announcement (Sierra Nevada Corp. announced their Dream Chaser Program Expansion), MVP at our softball game, free brew (at our team sponsor's Dottys Bar) and the ‪‎TDRS‬-L launch from the streets of Cape Canaveral. A normal space coast Thursday!

TDRS-L rises from behind Dottys Bar in Cape Canaveral

The official stats:

Jan. 23/24	Atlas 5  •  TDRS L
Launch window: 0233 GMT on 24th (9:33 p.m. EST on 23rd) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-043, launched the TDRS L communications and data relay satellite for NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) connects mission control with the International Space Station and other orbiting satellites. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. See our Mission Status Center. [Jan. 23]

Space!

Ryan

SES 8 pastel-colored launch to the sound of car alarms

A very pastel-colored launch at the Cape tonight of ‪SES 8‬ on +SpaceX's ‎Falcon 9‬ to the sound of car alarms. Third time's a charm after a few scrubs!

SES 8 was a beautiful launch. Check out the video below to see how the brightness changes the focus of the camera.

Soaring into space.

SpaceX successfully launched the SES-8, a geostationary communication satellite operated by SES, with a Falcon 9 ver 1.1. This set of photos in this following video were taken on rapid fire, with a photo approximately ever 0.5 seconds, making the launch video near real time. The second half of photos are of the vehicle punching through the atmosphere.

The official stats:

Dec. 3

Falcon 9  •  SES 8

Launch window: 2241 GMT (5:41 p.m. EST) Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES 8 communications satellite. SES 8 will provide Ku-band and Ka-band direct-to-home broadcasting and network services over the Asia-Pacific region. The rocket flew in the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing. Delayed from July, August, October, Nov. 1, Nov. 12 and Nov. 22. Scrubbed on Nov. 25 and Nov. 28. Delayed from Nov. 30 and Dec. 2. See our Mission Status Center. [Dec. 3]

Space!

Ryan

4am AEHF3 Launch on Atlas V - Move in day!

Jen and I closed on our 1st condo in Cape Canaveral and decided to camp-out in our new place to watch the early morning launch from our balcony. We had two hours of sleep and then I spent over an hour with one eye open watching Spaceflightnow.com's webcast waiting for the house warming launch. What a great way to start Cape Life!

AEHF3 ripping through the air and off the planet riding an Atlas 5

I ran across the condo so get this secondary photo of AEHF 3 near the constellation Orion on it's way to orbit

The official stats (note: actually launched at 4:10am):

Sept. 18	Atlas 5  •  AEHF 3
Launch time: 0704 GMT (3:04 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-041, launched the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide highly-secure communications. The rocket flew in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Sept. 13. See our Mission Status Center. [Sept. 18]

Space!

Ryan

Sailing and WGS-6 Launch from the Indian River

Granted I didn't take the best photos on my iPhone, but the location was unbelievable! After racing Sneaker on the Indian River (Wednesday night race night series), we kept sailing past sunset to watch the launch from the water. You could clearly see the four solid boosters separate and fall away back to the Atlantic. The rocket kept soaring and the upper stage separation was gorgeous! A spiral of smoke shot out of the beacon of light and two lights feel back to earth as the upper stage kept sailing away!

Another successful race for the Sneaker crew as we sit back and relax sailing into the sunset.

Rene takes a moment to watch the launch of WGS-6. What a view from the water!

The official stats:

Aug. 7/8

Delta 4  •  WGS 6

Launch window: 0029 GMT on 8th (8:29 p.m. EDT on 7th) Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, formerly known as the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. Built by Boeing, this geostationary communications spacecraft will serve U.S. military forces. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (5,4) configuration with four solid rocket boosters. Delayed from June and July. See our Mission Status Center. [Aug. 7]

Space!

Ryan

TDRS K on Atlas 5

Nothing beats a night launch! I took photos leading up to the launch as test shots to prepare. There are some cool star fields in the photos. I watched the launch with Jen and Sabrena.

Night launch of TDRS-K on an Atlas 5

A practice picture waiting for the launch. The halogen lights are really amazing at night.

The official stats:

Jan. 30/31

Atlas 5  •  TDRS K

Launch time: 0148 GMT on 31st (8:48 p.m. EST on 30th) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-036) launched the TDRS K communications and delay relay satellite for NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) connects mission control with the International Space Station and other orbiting satellites. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from June 12, Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Jan. 18 and Jan. 29. See our Mission Status Center. [Jan. 30]

Space!

Ryan

Rockets light up October skies in Florida - #GPSIIF3 & #CRS1 #Dragon Launches on Delta IV & Falcon 9

Two launches in the span of four days occurred on the Space Coast this week with ULA's Delta IV rocket carrying the GPSII-F3 satellite (October 4th) and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifting a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station for the Commercial Resupply Services Mission, CRS-1 (October 7th, they also had a secondary payload). This week has been window into our future on the Space Coast where we can expect multiple launches per week, every week. I hope we open space access to the point of daily launches, at least suborbital flights.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch of the Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station for the Commercial Resupply Services Mission, CRS-1

The photo composite of the Falcon 9 launch above is of five photos, each with 13 seconds of exposure. The photomerge created an interesting inversion in the middle of the contrail, but I like the artistic feature. This was my first night launch, so based on my Shuttle launch experience I was expecting 10-15 seconds before hitting a cloud deck. I was off by a significant factor, but at least I will be ready for the next night launch, of which there will be plenty! The HD video I shot with my phone is below. It was like watching a star get lifted into the night sky.



These are a couple of my favourite shots from the Delta IV launch. I love the long contrail that rockets leave behind that connect the earth to the cosmos, ripping a hole through the atmosphere. The classic zoom picture of a rocket just off the launch pad with a strong reflection in the water never gets old. It's a very personal souvenir that captures the excitement of the launch, and the immense power of the rocket.

This Delta IV launch was flawless on a beautiful morning from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 37B.

The Delta IV rocket carrying the GPSII-F3 satellite well clear of the tower and heading into the cosmos.

The official stats form the launches:

Oct. 4	Delta 4  •  GPS 2F-3
Launch time: 1210 GMT (8:10 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket deployed the Air Force's third Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Sept. 20. See our Mission Status Center. [Oct. 4]

Oct. 7/8

Falcon 9  •  SpaceX CRS 1

Launch time: 0035 GMT on 8th (8:35 p.m. EDT on 7th) Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the third Dragon spacecraft on the first operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Aug. 9 and Sept. 24. See our Mission Status Center. [Oct. 7]