All 10 Iridium NEXT satellites for launch #7 are at VAFB now, and mating to dispenser is well along - to be completed this weekend. Everything else needed is there as well and being processed - schedule looking good! #Tminus3weeks #donttellVandenbergfogyet.
Matt Desch @iridiumbossThis is fun stuff, thanks. T-3 weather report was for 40% concerns only about ground winds. Surprising they will still be strong at 4:30am in the morning, but will keep an eye out. Have anything to calm the winds down??
The tug boat "Pacific freedom" departed port LA yesterday at around 6 pm PT , it was berthed to JRTI yesterday, so it is likely JRTI is out at sea right now, the tug is traveling at all pace of 5 knots.
First Vandenberg launch! I've placed my four sound-activated cameras around SLC-4E ahead of the #Iridium7 mission tomorrow 4:39 AM PDT (11:39 UTC)Thanks to @30thSpaceWing / @SpaceX for allowing us to do this.📸photos.tmahlmann.com/Rockets/SpaceX…⭐️patreon.com/trevormahlmann
Despite challenging weather conditions, Falcon 9 first stage booster landed on Just Read the Instructions.
Not much to see, but boy was there lots to hear. Despite the fog, #Falcon9 illuminated the night here on Vandenberg AFB in a beautiful orange glow at liftoff. Here's a 2min30s long exposure of what we saw from the press site.📸 #Iridium7 gallery: photos.tmahlmann.com/Rockets/SpaceX…
Look at Mr Steven go!#Iridium7 #SpaceX #Falcon9
Thank you @SpaceX for another awesome flight! Glad everyone enjoyed the @Spotify playlist - kudos to my team (particulary JH) for so many great choices. Most importantly, all 10 satellites have checked in!!! @marine_layer: we need to talk...
Otherworldly: the TEL at SLC-4E popping through @Marine_layer. OMG.Full gallery: photos.tmahlmann.com/Rockets/SpaceX…
A #Falcon9 Block 5 pokes out of the Vandenberg fog bank this morning. @SpaceX successfully delivered another 10 satellites on this #Iridium7 mission!
Different rocket, different pad, but a very similar appearance to May's Atlas InSight launch.
Might not be able to completely keep up, but our Ops team is doing simultaneous platform checkout on all 10 sats and everything is looking good. SV155 will complete first and start ascent to storage orbit tomorrow afternoon. SV158 should be on Saturday, then SV156 on Sunday.
Slowing down, going to take longer than I had thought....https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceXUpdates/status/1022844268262699011
Booster is back!
Heading home now, but here is one more shot of the Iridium-7 booster and those teeth on JRTI. #spacex
Iridium-7’s Falcon 9 is now being moved to land! I’ll be live streaming recovery on Instagram if you want to follow along. instagram.com/neonheatdisease
QuoteIridium-7’s Falcon 9 is now being moved to land! I’ll be live streaming recovery on Instagram if you want to follow along. instagram.com/neonheatdiseasehttps://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1023303668412497921
Recovered booster 1048’s single-piece cast titanium grid fins. They were able to maneuver the vehicle through stormy winds at sea, landing it safely on Just Read the Instructions following Iridium-7 launch. #spacex #iridium7 #falcon9
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket’s drone ship return captured in stunning detail By Eric RalphPosted on July 29, 2018Teslarati photographer Pauline Acalin has captured SpaceX’s first Falcon 9 Block 5 booster recovery in the best detail yet seen of the rocket upgrade, well-worn after its first successful launch of Iridium NEXT-7, July 25.
Launch 7 satellite activities complete: 59 of 66 satellites in our constellation are now Iridium NEXT vehicles - 89.4% complete! 4 of 6 planes are all NEXT, with the 5th plane complete in a few weeks when SV153 drifts into position. Launch 8 is NET November now - can't wait!