According to Space.com report, the GOES-U satellite was launched from Launch Complex 39A of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) of the American space agency NASA. This satellite was aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. This was the 10th launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket. As soon as the rocket took off, the people present there clapped.
But the most special moment came after 8 minutes, when as per the plan, after taking the satellite to the prescribed altitude, both the side boosters of the heavy lifter returned to the earth. Both boosters landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is next to KSC.
It can be seen in the video that two boosters are descending one after the other and land at the designated place.
This homecoming created a completely different experience for spectators than the launch of GOES-U’s three sister satellites, which all went into space aboard United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket, which is not reusable. Such efforts help SpaceX in reducing the cost of any launch. He saves money by using these boosters in multiple launches.
Dakota Smith, a satellite analyst and communicator attached to the mission, said it was incredible. GOES satellites have been a big part of my career, passion, and my hobbies. Seeing a satellite go up and knowing that we’re going to keep getting amazing pictures means a lot to me.