SpaceX launches 50th mission of the year

INA - SOURCES 

After a series of weather delays, SpaceX launched 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station just after midnight.

Originally intending to launch at 10:20 p.m. ET, weather forced SpaceX to delay a couple of times to the end of their launch while storm clouds cleared around the Space Coast.

The 22 Starlink satellites were launched to the South East from Space Launch Complex 40 to join Group 6 of the Starlink constellation. This mission, Starlink Group 6-7, was launched into a 43-degree orbital inclination. SpaceX is now only launching these upgraded V2 mini Starlinks as they improve their constellation capabilities and phase out older, less capable Starlink satellites.

One advantage of launching after summer thunderstorms in Florida is the added humidity. Shortly before the Falcon 9 hit Max Q (Maximum Dynamic Pressure), the Falcon 9 accelerated past supersonic speeds, and with high humidity, it can create a vapor cone around the rocket.

Last night, SpaceX photographer, Ben Cooper, captured just that as a giant vapor cone formed and even created a rainbow effect as the light from the 9 Merlin 1D engines passed through the condensation, and if the weather stays roughly the same, it could create quite a dramatic view as the Falcon Heavy launches later tonight.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9 B1062 landed on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ eight-and-a-half minutes after lift-off completing its 15th launch and landing. The two fairing halves on this flight were both flying for their second time.

This was the 50th overall orbital mission of the year for SpaceX and the 48th for the Falcon 9. SpaceX has now had 220 consecutive successful launches and 136 consecutive Falcon recoveries.