Recently, Fairy noted that a SpaceX Falcon was on its final countdown, and we watched the rocket ignition and then headed outside. Though it was over 100 miles away, the contrail and blazing rocket was clearly visible. The photo shows the gap in the trail between booster cutoff and second stage ignition. Both occurred as planned and a short time later the rocket was but a point of light fading far away into space.
Far behind, another light appeared as the booster started its de-orbit burn which became brighter as the upper stage dimmed. Finally the de-orbit burn stopped and we hurried back to the house to watch video images of its successful landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. I remember a time when such things were simply impossible and even now it is hard to grasp that it is actually happening.
#SpaceX #Falcon9, #Space
Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings 