Spectacular Sunset Launch and Cape Landing on 1st SpaceX Mission for OneWeb Competitor: Photos

Stunning Sunset Launch and Cape Landing on 1st SpaceX Mission for OneWeb Connectivity Competitor: Photos
SpaceX Falcon 9 4x recycled 15-story-tall booster B1069 landing legs deploy for LZ-1 landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 8 minutes after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. As 1st Relativity Terran 1 rocket (110 ft tall) stands erect at right on Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) on Cape Canaveral, slated for late 2022 1st orbital attempt. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, LAUNCH COMPLEX 34, FL – SpaceX staged an absolutely spectacular sunset KSC launch and Cape landing for their global connectivity competitor OneWeb, Thursday, Dec. 8 on the first of three commercial missions under contract for the Space Coast with satellites built on the Space Coast just outside the gates of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

A stack of 40 commercial communications satellites were successfully delivered to low Earth orbit on a flight proven SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the mission dubbed OneWeb 15 since it’s the 15th OneWeb launch of their 1st generation satellites – which are a direct rival to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation comprising many thousands of comsats.

SpaceX Falcon 9 4x recycled B1069 landing legs deploy for LZ-1 landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 8 minutes after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. With media photog in foreground as 1st Relativity Terran 1 rocket (110 ft tall) stands erect at right on Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) on Cape Canaveral, slated for late 2022 1st orbital attempt. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

The OneWeb internet satellites will provide global low-latency broadband connectivity to the America’s, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and more for a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus Defense and Space. 

SpaceX was hired for the launch after OneWeb terminated its contract with Russia following the Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

The stunning twilight lift-off of the 4x recycled 229-foot-tall (70-meter) SpaceX Falcon 9 took place on Thursday, 8 December 2022, right on time at 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT) from seaside Launch Complex 39A on the Kennedy Space Center, into virtually picture prefect clear blue skies.

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage 1 & stage 2 booster separation created absolutely incredible and spectacularly beautiful exhaust plume overhead after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

In fact the skies and lighting overhead were so clear that we could easily see the stage 1 and 2 booster separation in the skies over Cape Canaveral as it launched on a rare south polar trajectory.

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage 1 & stage 2 booster separation created absolutely incredible and spectacularly beautiful exhaust plume overhead after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

The booster separation created a brief and incredible SpaceX ‘nebula’ of rocket exhaust plumes – illuminated by sunlight and engine flames for about a minute or so.

60 second streak shot SpaceX Falcon 9 spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center – with LC-37 in view at right. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

Following stage separation, the first stage nailed the ground landing eight minutes later after reversing course, flipping 180 degrees and reigniting a subset of Merlin 1D fist stage engines for the boostback and landing burns targeting Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

30 second streak shot SpaceX Falcon 9 landing at LZ-1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 8 minutes after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. As 1st Relativity Terran 1 rocket stands erect at right on Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) on Cape Canaveral. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

Multiple screaming sonic booms sounded out spreading across the Space Coast, Central Florida as the 1st stage passed through the sound barrier shortly before the upright soft touchdown at LZ-1 eight minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX Falcon 9 spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center – with LC-37 in view. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

OneWeb confirmed that its 40 satellites separated successfully from the rocket and were dispensed in three phases over a period of one hour and 35 minutes

Signal acquisition was confirmed on all 40 satellites indicating they are healthy and operating as planned.

This deployment completes about 80% of OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation network which now totals 502 units.

“Launch 15 brings total OneWeb constellation to 502 satellites – almost 80% of satellite fleet delivering connectivity globally in 2023. It will enable significant expansion of connectivity services across the US, Europe, much of the Middle East and Asia, South Africa, southern Australia, and parts of South America, said OneWeb.

 

“This launch is an immensely gratifying way to close out 2022, bringing OneWeb another step closer to activating our space-based connectivity globally and reflecting the shared ambition and collective goodwill that is driving the satellite communications industry,” said Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb, in a statement.

“We are thankful for the support of other leaders in the space industry allowing us to quickly restart our launch campaign and we are delighted to work with SpaceX today for our first-ever launch from Florida, the home where our satellites are manufactured. As we look to our final ‘Three to Global Reality’ launches in the first half of 2023, we are thrilled to see our connectivity footprint dramatically expand from today, and to soon activate our network globally to reach remote and under-served areas of the world.”

Fisheye launch view. SpaceX Falcon 9 spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center – with LC-37 in view. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

Enjoy our eyewitness launch and landing photos taken from historic Space Launch Complex 34, site of Apollo 1 and 7, by the Space UpClose team of Ken kremer and Jean Wright

Fisheye launch view. SpaceX Falcon 9 spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center – with LC-37 in view. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34) with launch mount remains at right. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

The first stage booster tail number B1069 supporting this mission previously launched NASA CRS-24 cargo resupply mission to the ISS, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, and one Starlink mission.

The Falcon 9 headed on south-southeast trajectory from Kennedy Space Center carrying it over the Atlantic Ocean. It then maneuvered south to fly parallel to Florida’s East Coast.

The OneWeb satellites were deployed into a polar orbit enabled by southerly launch trajectory will allow the Falcon 9 to place the 40 OneWeb satellites into a polar orbit.

The south polar corridor had not been used from the Cape until SpaceX utilized it for the first time in 2020 launching from SLC-40.

OneWeb 15 marked its first use by SpaceX from LC-39A and the 8th time overall from the Space Coast

This launch and several others were delayed several times by SpaceX for further technical checks of the Falcon 9 rocket to ensure it was ready for liftoff. SpaceX did not announce any details of the technical problem issues.

Here are some prelaunch photos of the OneWeb satellites during launch preparations in the payload dispenser and fairing encapsulation

Each OneWeb satellite weighs about 325 pounds (147.5 kilograms.

They are powered by solar panels and use xenon ion thrusters to maneuver into their operational orbit at an altitude of 745 miles (1,200 kilometers).

More photos:

Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose
SpaceX Falcon 9 stage 1 & stage 2 booster separation created absolutely incredible and spectacularly beautiful exhaust plume overhead after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 stage 1 & stage 2 booster separation created absolutely incredible and spectacularly beautiful exhaust plume overhead after spectacular sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Blue Origin pad 36 in background. Credit: Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

 

Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose

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.
………….
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

Dec 7/10 and Nov 25/29 and 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

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”

Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose
Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose

 

Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose

 

Stunning SpaceX Falcon 9 sunset liftoff of 40 OneWeb internet comsats at 5:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2022 from pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center and Cape landing at LZ-1. View as seen from historic Launch Complex-34 (LC-34). Credit: Jean Wright/Space UpClose

x

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.