Two Falcon Rockets Launch from Florida

On December 28^th at 8:07pm EST, SpaceX successfully launched the X-37B space plane on a mission known as USSF-52. Under clear skies, the Falcon Heavy rose from LC-39/A then headed northeast. This was the 5th launch in 2023 of the triple-core version of the Falcon 9. B1064 / B1065 served as the side boosters for all five missions while the core stage, B1084, made its first flight.

   At fifty minutes before launch, RP-1 flowed, a super-chilled version of kerosene which allows more fuel to fit inside the vehicles. Liquid oxygen, needed for combustion, began to fill soon after. Fifteen minutes later, RP-1 was loaded on the second stage followed by liquid oxygen. Actions controlled by computers ensured significant milestones were executed on time, including engine chill-down and tank pressurization. 27 Merlin engines commenced ignition, lofting the Falcon Heavy skyward.

   Twin booster separation occurred two and a half minutes after launch then performed a flip maneuver and boost-back burn to start their reuse journey. Grid fins and cold gas thrusters aligned the descending stages. Minutes later, three engines on each booster ignited for the entry burn. This began to slow down the rockets as they lowered, staggered, to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Aligned with LZ-1, the landing burn allowed B1064 to gently touch down on the concrete pad. B1065 followed on LZ-2. A twin double sonic boom spread across the local area.

   The core stage, B1084, throttled up after booster separation, running for nearly four minutes. The stage separated then tumbled to the Atlantic Ocean as it was not recovered. As the second stage’s lone engine continued to propel the payload, the fairing which protect the cargo during atmospheric ascent, split in two then peeled away from the rocket. They coasted to the ocean, slowed by parachutes. A boat, Doug, stationed nearby, will scoop the fairing halves for reuse.

   Second stage operated as planned then released the X-37-B into an unknown orbit. The spent stage performs adjustments to line it up with entry and burn-up over the Indian Ocean.

This marks the 7^th mission since 2010 for the secretive payload, built by Boeing. ULA launched five of them, the latest being in Sept of 2017 which landed 11/12/22 at the SLF. While a Falcon 9 sent one to orbit, the current mission is the first with the Heavy. Little is known about specific operations; among many experiments, a project called Seeds-2 is known to be aboard.

Launch of the X-37-B on its latest mission was targeted for July of 2023, eventually slipping to December. Issues arising after a static fire resulted in several adjustments, culminating with a longer-term delay to late December. The vehicle was returned to the HIF for repairs and engine replacement.

   Two hours and 54 minutes later, SpaceX successfully launched its next group of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. B1069 served as the first stage on its 15^th flight. It previously supported CRS-24, One Web 15, Hotbird 13F, SES 18 & 19, and seven Starlinks.

   Thirty-five minutes before launch, super-chilled RP-1 kerosene flowed into both stages. Liquid oxygen, needed for combustion, began to fill simultaneously. Sixteen minutes before t-zero, LOX flowed in the second stage, which is always a brand-new vehicle. Computers ensured milestones were executed on time, including engine chill-down, tank pressurization and ignition.

   Booster B1069 separation occurred two and a half minutes after launch. As the second stage ignited its lone engine moments later, B1069 performed a flip maneuver to start its reuse journey. Grid fins and cold gas thrusters aligned the descending stage. Six minutes after launch, three engines started for the entry burn. This began to slow down the rocket as it lowered to the Atlantic Ocean. Aligned with A Shortfall of Gravitas, an automated barge, the landing burn allowed B1069 to gently touch down on the automated barge’s deck.

   The second stage fired for six minutes then shut down to enter a coast phase. One short burn occurred before deploying 23 Starlink V2 mini satellites, about an hour and five minutes after launch. The spent stage performs adjustments to line it up with entry and burn-up over the Indian Ocean. Starlink 6.36 group will join over 5,000 operational machines, providing high-speed low-latency internet to underserved rural locations, cruise ships, airlines, and mobile users.

By John Howard