Last Launched and Landed SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster of 2022 Returns to Port Canaveral New Year’s Eve: Photos

Last Launched and Landed SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster of 2022 Returns to Port Canaveral New Year’s Eve: Photos
Last Cape launched, landed and recovered Falcon 9 of 2022. Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch as 15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

PORT CANAVERAL, FL – New Year’s Eve rocket revelers celebrated early as the last launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster of 2022 from Cape Canaveral returned triumphantly to Port Canaveral at noonish, Saturday, Dec 31, New Year’s Eve – just over three days after the stunning dead of night liftoff Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The veteran 11x recycled and very sooty Falcon 9 booster tail number B1062 sailed into Port Canaveral standing stoutly upright atop the ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ (ASOG) droneship at sea upon which it at made a precision guided soft landing in the Atlantic Ocean eight minutes after carrying the latest batch of Starlink broadband internet satellites to low earth orbit (LEO) on Dec. 28.

Last Cape launched, landed and recovered Falcon 9 of 2022. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Years Eve. Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch – with beautiful water reflections. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL pad 40. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

The 15 story tall blackened Falcon 9 landed B1062.11 with all 4 legs nominally deployed on ASOG was towed by tugboat Crosby Skipper into the channel of Port Canaveral around noon – past numerous onlookers on the beach and on the just reopened Jetty Park Pier, after thick and persistent morning fog dissipated at last.

Thus this mission dubbed Starlink 5-1 marked the 11th launch and 11th landing for Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 which delivered a heavy payload of 54 Starlink satellites on the 5-1 mission as it soared to space on a southeasterly trajectory into crystal clear nighttime skies from the Sunshine State.

Less than an hour later it docked at North Cargo Pier 6 and technicians immediately set about to maneuver the giant Liebherr crane into action.

15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

They wasted no time this New Year’s Eve afternoon, appeared to take no breaks and quickly attached the hoisting cap to the top of B1062.11.

Less than three hours after arriving the booster was hoisted by technicians working the Liebherr crane off of ASOG, swung around about 180 degrees and then lowered back down onto ground pedestals.

The entire transport movement from ship to shore worked like clockwork and took less than 20 minutes from start to finish.

 

 

15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

Enjoy our photos of the Falcon 9 B1062.11 return to Port Canaveral and launch from Cape Canaveral taken by the Space UpClose team of Ken Kremer and Jean Wright.

Landing legs deployed up close. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Years Eve – with beautiful water reflections. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL pad 40. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1062.11 on the Starlink 5-1 mission delivered 54 more Starlinks to orbit and took place overnignt into  clear predawn skies at 4:34 a.m. EDT (0934 GMT) Wednesday, Dec. 28, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida – some six minutes earlier than initially planned after a late in the countdown change in T-Zero.

Long duration Fisheye streak: SpaceX Falcon 9 on Starlink 5-1 mission lifts off 4:34 a.m. Dec. 28, 2022 delivering another 54 Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. As seen from Titusville, FL in this over 4 minute long single exposure streak shot image with fisheye lens. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

This Falcon 9 liftoff on the Starlink 5-1 mission also counts as the first tranche of Starlinks propelled to a new orbital shell in low Earth orbit (LEO) destined to be populated by the firms upgraded Gen2 satellites.

Long duration streak: SpaceX Falcon 9 on Starlink 5-1 mission lifts off 4:34 a.m. Dec. 28, 2022 delivering another 54 Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. As seen from Titusville, FL in this over 4 minute long single exposure streak shot. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

 

It also marked a major milestone as SpaceX’s record-setting 60th launch of the year – nearly double last years then record-breaking total of 31 launches.

Starlink provides high speed, low latency broadband internet connectivity now on a global basis to all 7 continents.

15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

The 54 Starlinks were the first to be launched into the newly FCC approved 43 degree inclination orbit

 

It also counts as the 67th launch primarily dedicated to the Starlink constellation.

“This launch marks the first of Starlink’s upgraded network,” SpaceX said in a statement.

“Under our new license, we are now able to deploy satellites to new orbits that will add even more capacity to the network. Ultimately, this enables us to add more customers and provide faster service – particularly in areas that are currently over-subscribed.”

Landing legs deployed up close. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Years Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL pad 40. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

 

The 229-foot-tall (69-meter) Falcon 9 lifted off flawlessly with ignition of all 9 Merlin 1D engines performing perfectly and generating 1.7 million pounds of liftoff thrust soaring aloft on a southeasterly trajectory tracking along the Florida’s southern East Coast.

The Starlinks were deployed as planned 18 minutes after liftoff.

The first stage booster B1062 supporting this mission previously launched 2 crews of four spaceflyers on the Inspiration4, Ax-1 Crew Dragon missions.

It also launched the GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Nilesat 301, and four Starlink missions.

Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch as 15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster arrives Port Canaveral on New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

Eight minutes later following stage separation, the first stage successfully soft landed upright on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship (ASOG), which was prepositioned around 410 miles (660 kilometers) downrange near the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1608036003251621888

SpaceX states that they now have reached a major milestone with over 1 million customers

The cost is approx. $100 per month with a hardware charge of $599.

SpaceX manufactures the Starlinks in-house in Redmond, Washington.

Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch as 15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

The flat-paneled, solar powered refrigerator-sized satellites were deployed into an elliptical orbit at an inclination of 43 degrees to the equator.

The Starlink satellites will use on-board krypton ion propulsion to raise themselves to their final operating circular orbit some 329 miles (530 kilometers) above Earth.

To date SpaceX has launched 3666 Starlink satellites including prototype and test versions and failed ones, according to a tabulation from astronomer Jonathan McDowell, at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

https://planet4589.org/space/con/star/stats.html

Currently SpaceX has more than 3,335 functioning Starlink satellites in space, with about 3,063 operational

SpaceX has FAA approval to deploy 7,000 Starlinks and eventually hope to deploy well over 30,000.

 

Here are some launch photos from SpaceX:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1608050353131642880

 

The prior SpaceX Starlink batch launched on the record breaking 15x recycled Falcon 9 B1st stage booster B1058 on Dec 17, 2022 from KSC on the 66th Starlink mission

Birds and spectators watch as SpaceX Falcon 9 on Starlink 4-37 mission lifts off 4:32 p.m. Dec. 17, 2022 delivering another 54 Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida – on record breaking 15th launch for 1st stage B1058. As seen with beautiful reflection in Indian River from Space View Park, Titusville, FL with launch pad 39B and VAB and new SpaceX Starship launch tower in view. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

Watch Ken’s commentary about Project Artemis, SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Crew-5,  NASA SLS cryo and WDR tests, NASA SpaceX Crew & Cargo Dragons and more

Dec 28/29: Fox 35 Orlando – Watch my commentary about NASA’s fantastic success in space exploration in 2022 and ambitious schedule of whats ahead in 2023:

https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/1159922

Dr. Ken Kremer of Space UpClose interview about Artemis 1 on Fox 35 Orlando

Dec 11/12: BBC World News TV interview about  successful splashdown of NASA Orion concluding the 25 day Artemis 1 lunar test flight around the Moon and back, and how that sets up a human return to the Moon on Artemis 2 and landing on Artemis 3. Plus what’s beyond for NASA deep space exploration to Mars and the search for life beyond Earth

https://youtu.be/Qw4NPkgZ7HE

 

Nov 22:  WFTV ABC News Orlando interview about upcoming NASA SpaceX CRS 26 cargo resupply mission to the ISS and science aboard + Artemis 1 launch and Orion crew capsule successfully entering lunar orbit, results and mission goals

https://www.wftv.com/news/video-unfavorable-weather-postpones-first-2-planned-launches-tuesday/f6b46562-3d2d-430f-949b-c0bafc71fd33/

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/brevard-county/spacex-set-2-rocket-launches-tuesday-floridas-space-coast/BPUZHFLEMBA4PFCGNGJ2DQAFRE/

 

Nov 22:  Fox 35 interview about upcoming NASA SpaceX CRS 26 cargo resupply mission to the ISS and science aboard + Artemis 1 launch and Orion crew capsule successfully entering lunar orbit, results and mission goals

Nov 21/22:  BBC World TV interview about Orion crew capsule successfully entering lunar orbit, results and mission goals

https://youtu.be/pre2gUmz3so

Watch Ken’s continuing reports about Artemis, SpaceX missions, SLS, Orion and NASA missions, SpaceX Crew and Cargo Dragons, SpaceX Axiom, JWST, DART, Lucy Asteroid mission, GOES, SpaceX Starlink, Commercial Crew and Starliner and Crew Dragon, Blue Origin and Space Tourism, and onsite for live reporting of upcoming and recent SpaceX and ULA launches including Crew 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5, ISS, Solar Orbiter, Mars 2020 Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, NRO spysats and national security missions and more at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

 

Stay tuned here for Ken’s continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news: www.spaceupclose.com – twitter @ken_kremer – email: ken at kenkremer.com

Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics.
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Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events

Please consider supporting Ken’s work by purchasing his photos and/or donating at Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/kenkremer

Upcoming and recent space events and talks by Ken Kremer & Jean Wright

Jan 12, 2023: 10 AM at Westmineter Retirement Center in Orlando/Winter Haven, Florida: Presentation by Jean Wright – “Sew Sister to the Stars- How the Humble Art of Sewing Transformed the World of Flight”

Nov 29 at UCF, Orlando Florida: Presentation by Jean Wright – “Sew Sister to the Stars- How the Humble Art of Sewing Transformed the World of Flight”

Upcoming and recent space events and talks by Ken Kremer & Jean Wright

Jan 7/11, 2023; Dec 7/10/15 and Nov 25/29 from 7 to 9 PM Quality Inn, Titusville, FL:  Join Ken and Jean for Artemis 1, Falcon Heavy and space mission and rocket launch outreach. Ask us anything. plus display our photos and space apparel items for sale

Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch as 15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

 

 

Landing legs deployed and engines up close. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Years Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL pad 40. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

 

Flock of soaring pelicans flyby and watch as 15-story-tall SpaceX recovered booster with all 4 legs deployed was hoisted by crane off ASOG droneship at about 3 p.m. ET New Years Eve, Dec 31, 2022 and lowered onto ground pedestal for further processing and leg retraction – with beautiful water reflections. 11x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1062.11 returned to Port Canaveral, FL towed atop ASOG droneship at noon Dec. 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. From launch of Starlink 5-1 batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites on Dec. 28 from Cape Canaveral, FL, pad 40. Credit: Ken Kremer/spaceupclose.com

 

Space UpClose team of Ken Kremer and Jean Wright

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Ken Kremer

Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and more space and mission reports direct from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news. Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics. Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events.

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