Technology
SpaceX launches moon lander, lands booster despite tough conditions
SpaceX had another successful launch on Thursday night, despite some tough conditions.
Its Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where a trio of spacecraft, including a moon lander, came along for the ride.
Lift off took place at 8:45 p.m. ET, at the beginning of the 32-minute launch window.
Bad weather threatened the recovery of the first-stage booster, but after 8-and-a-half minutes following launch, the booster successfully landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s the third time this booster has been launched and landed, and marks SpaceX’s 34th successful landing. The reuse of boosters is part of SpaceX’s plan to make spaceflight cheaper.
Just after 34 minutes, the Israeli moon lander Beresheet, which is owned by a nonprofit called SpaceIL, was deployed to orbit. It’s set to be the smallest spacecraft to ever land on the Moon. Weighing 1,322 pounds (600 kg), it’s also the first spacecraft from an Israeli entity and the first privately-funded spacecraft to reach the lunar surface. Previously, only the U.S., U.S.S.R, and China have landed spacecraft on the moon.
It’ll take the craft seven weeks to reach the moon. Once landed, Beresheet’s mission will be to transmit photo and videos of the surface, as well as to conduct scientific measurements.
Also on board, was Indonesian telecommunications satellite Nusantara Satu, and an experimental spacecraft called S5, created by the Air Force Research Laboratory. They were deployed shortly after, at 44 minutes after launch.
Highest reentry heating to date. Burning metal sparks from base heat shield visible in landing video. Fourth relight scheduled for April. https://t.co/uq6TdMhgFN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2019
The booster from this mission is scheduled to be redeployed in April.
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Earth’s mini moon could be a chunk of the big moon, scientists say
-
Entertainment7 days ago
The space station is leaking. Why it hasn’t imperiled the mission.
-
Entertainment6 days ago
‘Dune: Prophecy’ review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Black Friday 2024: The greatest early deals in Australia – live now
-
Entertainment4 days ago
How to watch ‘Smile 2’ at home: When is it streaming?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
‘Wicked’ review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire to movie musical magic
-
Entertainment2 days ago
A24 is selling chocolate now. But what would their films actually taste like?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
New teen video-viewing guidelines: What you should know