Created 1-Sep-20
Modified 13-Dec-23
On August 30, 2020 at 7:19 p.m. EST, SpaceX launched the SAOCOM 1B satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
SAOCOM 1B is operated by the Argentinian National Space Activities Commission and will use synthetic aperture radar for Earth observation in support of disaster management such as flooding, earthquakes, forest fires, and for monitoring agriculture, mining and ocean applications. This was the first polar launch from the Space Coast in 60 years and the mission also included rideshare payloads GNOMES-1 and Tyvak-0172.
Falcon 9’s first stage previously launched Dragon to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s 19th and 20th commercial resupply missions, and also supported launch of SpaceX’s ninth Starlink mission.
Following stage separation, SpaceX landed Falcon 9 on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Recovery vessel Go Ms. Chief made a water recovery of both fairing halves approximately 300 miles south of Port Canaveral.
Photos taken from SR 528 causeway, about 11.5 miles away from launch pad, and 8.5 miles from landing zone.
© Dennis Huff
