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Credit & Copyright: Michael Seeley
Explanation:
Shortly after midnight
on July 18 a
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from
Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida,
planet Earth.
About 9 minutes later, the rocket's first stage returned to the spaceport.
This single time exposure captures the
rocket's launch arc and
landing streak from Jetty Park only a few miles away.
Along a climbing, curving trajectory the launch is traced by
the initial burn of the first stage, ending near the top of the
bright arc before stage separation.
Due to perspective the next bright burn appears above
the top of the launch arc in the photo,
the returning first stage descending closer to the Cape.
The final landing burn creates a long streak as the first stage slows and
comes to rest at Landing Zone 1.
Yesterday the Dragon cargo spacecraft delivered to
orbit by the rocket's second stage
was attached
to the
International Space
Station.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day