SpaceX Falcon 9 bids farewell to West Coast in launch and landing photos

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SpaceX completed its last launch on the California Falcon 9 in 2019 and the official images of the mission are spectacular, given the near-zero visibility generated by coastal fog.

After taking off on June 12, the Falcon 9 successfully delivered the mission of the Canadian Space Agency's Radarsat Constellation (RCM) – probably weighing about 5,000 kg (11,000 lb.) – in a sun-synchronous orbit of 600 km (370 mi). Consisting of three separate Earth observation satellites, the RCM has a combined value greater than one billion dollars and has therefore become the most expensive payload, perhaps even twice as much, as SpaceX does. never launched. Although disappointing, the RCM has offered a spectacular provisional final for SpaceX's launch activities on the west coast, probably the company's last mission to the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) for at least 6 to 9 months.

Due to an unknown combination of construction delays, regulatory constraints and a general lack of pressing needs, SpaceX has completed its landing zone on the West Coast (LZ-4) towards the mid-2018, by which time the basics of the company's Vandenberg launch manifesto had already ended. In 2017, six SpaceX Vandenberg launches were launched, while 2018 had five, which represents approximately 29% of the company's launches over the two-year period.

The dedicated landing zone of the west coast of SpaceX, known as LZ-4. The pad has now supported two recall recoveries. (Pauline Acalin)
Second launch and landing of B1048, captured from the same point of view of the camera.
LZ-4 is less than 400 meters from the SpaceX SLC-4E launch pad. (Pauline Acalin)

In the photo above, the LZ-4 was used for the first time in October 2018, shortly after Falcon 9 B1048.2 sent the SAOCOM 1A satellite Earth observation satellite en route for its launch. in orbit. Curiously, SpaceX's LZ-4 Land Use Permit expressly stated that the company should avoid landings during the seal calving season (apparently from March to June) in order not to disrupt the ecosystem.

This contradicts the use of LZ-4 by SpaceX on June 12 after the successful launch of the B1051 RCM, which could indicate that the company has chosen to risk fines instead of dusting its underutilized drone, Just Read The Instructions (JRTI), used in January. In all fairness, if SpaceX – as it seems to be – no longer has scheduled launches in 2019, a single seal alert is, hopefully, harmless.

The main environmental concern comes from the spectacular sonic booms produced by Falcon 9 during the transition from hypersonic speed to a stop.
The Falcon 9 B1051.1 became the Falcon 9 B1051.2 after landing safely at LZ-4, almost completely enveloped in a thick coastal fog. (SpaceX)

In 2019, the share of SpaceX Vandenberg launches will fall to 10-15% and could further decline. Beyond Iridium NEXT-8 (January) and the MRC (June), no other SpaceX mission has publicly manifested itself in 2019 with launches on the West Coast, although military missions or United States or Starlink may be available later this year. 2020 should not be better with only three launches (all quite uncertain and likely to slide considerably). As of June 2019, the SpaceX Manifesto 2021 looks much more promising and could involve as many as six launches from California.

Later, US military contracts – assuming that SpaceX is one of the two major suppliers chosen – should offer a decent IV infusion (about one to two annual launches) for the rest of the decade.

The Falcon 9 B1051.1 is ready for its second launch.
On June 11, Falcon 9 is still as beautiful and sooty as ever, when setting up a remote camera at the golden hour. (Pauline Acalin)
Perhaps one of the best pictures ever taken of Falcon 9, this picture was probably towards sunset on June 11th. (SpaceX)

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