SpaceX Falcon Successful Launch of Israeli Moon Mission and Indonesia Satellite

The SpaceX Falcon 9 has launched. All conditions are good. Second stage engine has fired. The rocket fairing has deployed. It looks like another good launch.

First stage has successfully landed.
Stage 2 is in good orbit.

They will need to relight the second stage for deployment of the various satellites.

The SpaceX Webcast has started. Less than 9 5 launched.

If there is a successful launch today it will take the small and weak rocket engine almost two months to get the Israeli lander to the moon. It will have to circle out in larger orbits to get captured by the moon’s gravity. Lunar landing would be April 11, 2019.

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, February 21 for launch of the Nusantara Satu satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The 32-minute launch window opens at 8:45 p.m. EST, or 1:45 UTC on February 22. Falcon 9 will also deliver the Beresheet lunar spacecraft and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) S5 spacecraft to orbit. Deployments will occur at approximately 33 and 44 minutes after liftoff.

SSL will provide broadband connectivity for Indonesia with the Nusantara Satu satellite.

A 32-minute backup launch window opens on Friday, February 22 at 8:41 p.m. EST, or 1:41 UTC on February 23.

Falcon 9’s first stage for the Nusantara Satu mission previously supported the Iridium-7 mission in July 2018 and the SAOCOM 1A mission in October 2018. Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

T-30 minutes until Falcon 9 launch of Nusantara Satu. Launch webcast will go live about 15 minutes before liftoff → https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 22, 2019

The SSL built Nusantara Satu satellite was encapsulated in Falcon 9’s fairing last week and is go for launch pic.twitter.com/m3YevKkg01

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 22, 2019

SOURCES – SpaceIL, SpaceX, Twitter

Written By Brian Wang.

Brian Wang

Brian Wang is a prolific business-oriented writer of emerging and disruptive technologies. He is known for insightful articles that combine business and technical analysis that catches the attention of the general public and is also useful for those in the industries. He is the sole author and writer of nextbigfuture.com, the top online science blog. He is also involved in angel investing and raising funds for breakthrough technology startup companies.

He gave the recent keynote presentation at Monte Jade event with a talk entitled the Future for You.  He gave an annual update on molecular nanotechnology at Singularity University on nanotechnology, gave a TEDX talk on energy, and advises USC ASTE 527 (advanced space projects program). He has been interviewed for radio, professional organizations. podcasts and corporate events. He was recently interviewed by the radio program Steel on Steel on satellites and high altitude balloons that will track all movement in many parts of the USA.

He fundraises for various high impact technology companies and has worked in computer technology, insurance, healthcare and with corporate finance.

He has substantial familiarity with a broad range of breakthrough technologies like age reversal and antiaging, quantum computers, artificial intelligence, ocean tech,  agtech, nuclear fission, advanced nuclear fission, space propulsion, satellites, imaging, molecular nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine, blockchain, crypto and many other areas.