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If the launch of the company's Falcon 9 rocket goes ahead as planned, Puerto Rico's skies will light up again this Sunday night. SpaceXReport Eddie Irizarry RoblesHead of Scientific Dissemination Astronomical Society of the Caribbean (SAC)To El Nuevo Día.
According to Irizarry Robles, the rocket was scheduled to take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 7:15 p.m. this Sunday toward Puerto Rico. However, later in the afternoon, the launch was postponed to 8:21 pm.
“If it is released at that time (initial, 7:15 pm), it will be very good. If it is released a little later, it is also visible, but not as impressive. Early in the morning, departures are best from the viewpoint of Puerto Rico.A science communicator explained the change before publication time.
Departing at 8:21 p.m., Puerto Ricans can enjoy the view toward the northwest horizon from 8:29 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
According to the science communicator, Falcon 9 will pass near the island at an altitude of 112 miles. Additionally, he pointed out that, contrary to what some people think, rockets are not launched directly upward, but instead turn sideways shortly after takeoff and eventually begin orbiting the planet. If they don't make this turn, they descend back toward the Earth's surface.
“The acceleration of this craft is interesting because it is moving at about 13,000 miles per hour and increasing when it starts to see from Puerto Rico. After a while, we will see a 'spot' or object separate, gradually disappear and leave the path.”Irizarry Robles pointed out earlier in a press release.
“But in fact it is not separated, because this is the moment when the second stage of the rocket ends or turns off, and at that moment the ship begins to orbit the Earth above our area, because it has already reached a speed of 16,300 miles per hour”he added.
The Falcon 9 satellite will send another group into space as part of a constellation of 23 Starlink satellites to deliver Internet.
Although no change is expected at the moment, if necessary, the departure can be postponed, as there will be other opportunities to start it, visible from our area after a few minutes.
“Many factors can cause these launches to be postponed, so before trying to see it, it is necessary to confirm that the launch actually took place,” he stressed.
To appreciate seeing the rocket, he recalled, it was important to avoid visual obstructions such as structures or trees toward the northwest horizon.
On January 7, around 6:35 p.m.A Falcon 9 rocket lit up the skies over Puerto Rico, leaving an impressive trail of light as it ascended into orbit.
Their looks seem to be very close, and that's because of a curious fact that Irisari Robles shared with this media at the time.
Earlier, SpaceX launched its rockets towards the Atlantic Ocean. However, starting in early 2020, the company started introducing them towards Puerto Rico. This not only allowed the satellites to be placed in the desired orbit, but also provided an advantage: the recovery of the first stage of the rocket.
At this point, Irizarry Robles explained that the rocket appears to be landing upside down, so a robotic boat or platform must be deployed to retrieve it. In the past, these boats were located in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean towards the northeast.
However, when SpaceX decided to launch in the direction of Puerto Rico, it calculated that the robot boat would still be installed if it set up these sites in calm waters in the direction of the Bahamas. A higher probability of recovery of the first stage of the rocket.
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