Successful deployment of JCSAT-18/Kacific1 confirmed!
Ms. Tree tracking north west at a dead-slow pace of 1.4 knots at T + 30 minutes.
Ms. Tree tracking east at a quick 12 knots at T + 35 minutes.
Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief narrowly missed catching the fairing halves—team is working to recover them for potential use on a future flight
Telemetry indicates soft touchdown on the water, so fairing might still be reusable
The JCSAT-18/Kacific1 #satellite signal has been acquired. Thanks to SKY Perfect JSAT, @Kacific and @SpaceX for a successful launch!Release: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-12-16-Boeing-built-Satellite-to-Offer-Greater-Asia-Pacific-Coverage
Always evolving and launching forward. @SpaceX Falcon 9 delivering JCSAT-18 into orbit. Starship MK2 standing proud. #Starship #JCSAT18
Bonus views of Falcon 9 lifting #JCSAT18 into orbit as seen from the Starship MK2 facility in Cocoa, FL. Taken with my Note 9.
I’m super stoked with how this turned out. There’s no telling how much longer a shot like this will be possible, as Starship production might move to a more secluded locale. I didn’t even mind the clouds, as Falcon 9 peaked through them from time to time. Beautiful launch!
Morning! Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief have departed from the fairing recovery zone and are returning to Port Canaveral. We won't know if they were able to retrieve the halves from the water until they arrive.
