B1058 launching American astronauts during DM-2 mission
Space X has launched the ANASIS-II defense satellite for Korean Agency for Defense Development aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5. This satellite will park in a geostationary orbit and has the destination of being the countries first dedicated military satellite.
The fairings of the Falcon 9 were emblazoned with the South Korean flag, but below the second stage sat a very special booster. The first stage booster used today was the very same that launched Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station. The second launch of B1058.2 was the 90th launch for SpaceX, and it’s controlled landing on the autonomies barge Just Read the Instructions marked SpaceX’s 57th booster landing. Keep that museum spot open, this booster lives to fly another day.
B1058.2 set another milestone for the aerospace company today. On top of being the first Falcon 9 Block 5 to fly humans onboard, its flight today also marked the fastest turnaround for a reused booster, spending only 51 days on earth before flying again.
After both the first and second stage had launched and completed their mission, SpaceX's fairing recovery ships Ms. Tree and Mrs. Cheif waited downfield for the fairing halves to float gently down from space. For the first time in ever, both fairing halves were caught, allowing them to be used in an upcoming mission.
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