The first landing of a Falcon 9 in California (launch of the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A)

The first landing of a Falcon 9 in California (launch of the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A) https://i2.wp.com/www.eresviral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1539022719_El-primer-aterrizaje-de-un-Falcon-9-en-California-lanzamiento-del-satélite-argentino-SAOCOM-1A.jpg?fit=73%2C146&ssl=1

The first landing of a Falcon 9 in California (launch of the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A)





The first landing of a Falcon 9 in California (launch of the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A)





Until yesterday all the first stages of SpaceX that have landed on the mainland had done it on the east coast, more specifically at the Cape Canaveral Air Base. But that has changed with the launch of the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A on October 8, 2018. At 02:21 UTC the Falcon 9 number 63 (F9-63), of type Block 5, took off from the SLC-4E ramp (Space Launch Complex 4 East) of the Vandenberg Air Base (California). The first stage B1048 worked 2 minutes and 20 seconds before separating and starting its trip back to the US coast. The stage landed successfully 7 minutes and 46 seconds later in the landing zone LZ-4 (Landing Zone 4), located 400 meters from the launching ramp where the SLC-4W ramp was previously used for Titan rocket launches. Stage B1048 has become the first to land on the west coast, marking a new milestone in the history of SpaceX.



The first SpaceX landing on the west coast (SpaceX).



Generally the launches from Vandenberg aim polar orbits, so they do not have the help of the rotation of the Earth and energetically a landing on dry land is very unfavorable. In this mission the landing was possible thanks to the low mass of SAOCOM 1A, barely 3,000 kg, and the relative low height of its orbit. Previously, the five stages that have been recovered in launches from the west coast landed on the barge Just read the instructions, located off the coast of California. Stage B1048 was the third Block 5 type to be launched and this was his second mission. He had already flown on July 25 in the Iridium NEXT 7 mission, which also took off from Vandenberg and landed in Just read the instructions. With this, there are already thirty stages recovered by SpaceX (twelve on the mainland and eighteen in barges) and sixteen those that have flown twice (for now none have carried out three missions).



The landing zone LZ-4 (left) is a short distance from the SLC-4E ramp (SpaceX).





Assembly of the launch and landing (John Kraus).





Detail of the LZ-4 (SpaceX).



SAOCOM 1A (Argentine Satellite of Observation with Microwaves) is a satellite of observation of the Earth by means of synthetic opening radar built by the company INVAP (as main contractor) for the Argentine space agency CONAE (National Commission of Spatial Activities). The SAOCOM 1A has an L-band radar with an antenna of 10 x 3.5 meters. Its dimensions are 4.7 meters high and 1.2 meters in diameter, and it has a solar panel of 15 square meters. Its useful life is 5.5 years and it will be located in a heliosynchronous orbit (SSO) of 620 kilometers in height. One of the main objectives is the study of soil moisture, since the L-band radar can penetrate up to two meters deep, although it will also be dedicated to all kinds of tasks, including ship tracking. It has a spatial resolution of 10 to 100 meters and the sweep width is from 20 to 350 kilometers.



SAOCOM 1A (CONAE).





Characteristics of the satellite (CONAE).





The satellite before launch with the radar antenna in the foreground (CONAE).



CONAE has built two SAOCOMs within the framework of the National Space Plan that will operate jointly. The constellation will be complete with the SAOCOM 1B, of similar characteristics, which must also be launched by SpaceX. The SAOCOM constellation will work in collaboration with the Italian COSMO-SkyMed constellation of X-band radar satellites. The SAOCOM ground stations are installed in Falda del Carmen (Córdoba) and Tolhuin (Tierra del Fuego). Originally, Brazil had to participate in the SAOCOM program, but it was withdrawn due to economic reasons.



Construction of the SAOCOM (CONAE).





Before integration with the launcher (CONAE).





Argentine Earth Observation Satellites (CONAE).





The SAOCOM 1A on its flight from Bariloche to Vandenberg on an An-124 (CONAE).





Emblem of the mission (SpaceX).



Insertion in the cap:

 

The rocket on the ramp:





Launching:





Landing:

  

Launch phases:







A flight-proven # Block5 # Falcon9 sends SAOCOM 1A to orbit before returning to land on LZ-4 - the first land landing on the west coast. #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/RKbNIs7jF0

- Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) October 8, 2018





ICYMI @SpaceX launch of Falcon 9 rocket as seen from West LA @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/fPiQwNzsNb

- Kevin Takumi (@KevinTakumi) October 8, 2018



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