Shortly afterward, SXM-7 deployed its solar arrays and started receiving and sending signals. Next, SXM-7 will begin firing its thrusters to commence its journey to its final geostationary orbit.
A #SpaceX #Falcon9 left earth Dec 13 on a mission to deliver #SXM7, a radio satellite for @SIRIUSXM. This is the second time @SpaceX has launched a Falcon 9 for the seventh time. #B1051 flight heritage: #Demo1, #Starlink missions, #RadarSat (RCM) & #SXM7. 📸:me @SpaceflightIns
The #Falcon9 takes to the skies for the 7th time on its way to successfully deliver #SXM7 to orbit! The booster landed & will now be brought back to Port Canaveral for refurb & its next mission. That's now 25 launches for the #SpaceXFalcon 9 this year!Covered for @Teslarati
9 Merlin engines doing what they do best! Spectacular work by SpaceX! Sound activated remote camera using a @MiopsTrigger Gallery: bit.ly/3mnEJi9
Initial orbit for 2020-096A: 237 x 19389 km, 27degVery similar to the Telstar 18V and Telstar 19V missions, which were from the same manufacturer.
ANASIS-2 was unusual because it injected to a nearly circular parking orbit, presumably to take advantage of the Oberth effect for the second S2 burn at an altitude of 182km. For whatever reason, SXM-7 marks a return to a more elliptical parking orbit, with the burn to medium earth orbit commencing at a more conventional 241km altitude.
JRTI droneship is now underway from the SXM-7 LZ, towards Port Canaveral.Ms. Tree is due to arrive in Florida early tomorrow morning (15th) - likely before dawn. GO Searcher is due back later in the day.
Ms. Tree has just returned from the SXM-7 mission with an intact fairing half that was recovered from the water!Captured via @NASASpaceflight FleetCam: youtu.be/gnt2wZBg89g
I can’t tell you much other than there is a fairing half there. Can’t tell what kind of shape it’s in.
GO Searcher has arrived at Port Canaveral with a fairing half (under the blue tarp) that was recovered from the water during the SXM-7 mission!Expect to see a rapid turnaround and to leave for NROL-108 as soon as tonight.Via @NASASpaceflight Fleetcam: youtu.be/gnt2wZBg89g
JRTI droneship and Falcon 9 are currently set to return to Port Canaveral on Thursday 17th, shortly after dawn.GO Quest has elected to charge on ahead, not wait with JRTI. Quest came straight from the CRS-21 operation so has been at sea for two weeks.
