SpaceX lifts off with NASA's planet-hunter TESS

Source: Orlando Sentinel

SpaceX lifted off with NASA’s planet-hunting TESS satellite on Wednesday, delighting science and space fans who anticipate the spacecraft may discover planets that could harbor life. The space company also successfully landed the first-stage booster on a barge 300 miles offshore in the Atlantic, the 24th time it’s done so.

The launch was a precision maneuver, with a brief 30-second window at 6:51 p.m. because the satellite had to get close to the Moon to use its gravity in achieving its final orbit.

“A SpaceX launch with an exoplanet hunting satellite on top. Can’t miss it!” said a tweet from one space fan, @GuillemAnglada.

Another tweet, from @EmbersToAsh said, “Living in Florida is great sometimes. Just saw the Space X launch from Orlando.”

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-bz-spacex-tess-second-attempt-20180418-story.html

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Took a break from Trump 24/7 and watched the SpaceX livestream of this launch. Amazing video of first stage separation and barge landing.

Like him or not, Musk is having a tremendous influence on many parts of our society.