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On Friday, SpaceX launched its final version of Block 4 of the Falcon 9 rocket, dawn hours along the coast of Florida. Sunrise and sunset are always a playground for photographers and especially for the talented Trevor Mahlmann, who regularly pulls flights to Ars.
The launch marks the twelfth successful flight for SpaceX this year: 11 Falcon 9 flights and a Falcon Heavy mission. Meanwhile, the Block 5 version of the Falcon 9 rocket has been optimized for reuse. His only flight up here was in May of this year and was a success. From now on, SpaceX intends to steal only those advanced boosters.
The Dragon spacecraft that was launched Friday is due to dock Monday with the International Space Station, carrying 2.7 tons of cargo. From here, we will content ourselves with the launch images below.
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A SpaceX rocket is launched near dawn along the coast of Florida on Friday.
Trevor Mahlmann -
An Ars contributor, Trevor Mahlmann, was on hand to capture the unique colors of this launch.
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There was fire.
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And there was smoke.
Trevor Mahlmann -
The escape of the flare upward leaves a plume of smoke.
Trevor Mahlmann -
And it looked pretty spectacular. . .
Trevor Mahlmann -
. . . when it is lit by the rising sun.
Trevor Mahlmann -
The Sun and the rocket rose together.
Trevor Mahlmann -
This was the 15th SpaceX refueling mission to the International Space Station.
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The rocket and the spaceship were reused.
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If all goes well, it should be the last flight of the Block 4 version of the rocket.
Trevor Mahlmann -
As for the spaceship, who knows?
Trevor Mahlmann
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