Created 22-Dec-15
Modified 13-Dec-23
December 21, 2015 at 8:29 p.m. EST, A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from SCC-40, Cape Canaveral Airforce Station with 11 second-generation Orbcomm communications satellites. The satellites will operate for Orbcomm Inc., providing two-way data messaging services for global customers. The Falcon 9 rocket flew with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing.
10 minutes after launch, the first stage made a perfect landing as it returned to Pad 1, six miles from where it was launched.
The first re-entry burn is shown in photo 8, followed by the final burn sequence. The last photo is a 5 minute time-lapse image of the rocket's return path, showing the initial burn, the dark non-burn portion, and the final burn.
Photos taken from the beach, about 6 miles away.
© Dennis Huff
