Suggested Searches

Blogs

    Falcon 9 Second Stage Separates from SWOT

    The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite separates from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's second stage.

    The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft has separated from the Falcon 9 rocket's second stage, beginning the first mission dedicated to surveying nearly all water on Earth's surface. Teams expect to receive a signal from SWOT in the next 30 minutes – stay with us here on the blog as we'll confirm when …

    Read Full Post

    Second Stage Engine Restarts

    The Falcon 9's second stage engine restarted for a short, six-second burn, and we have another successful second engine cutoff. Coming up next, in just under 10 minutes, the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite will separate from the rocket.

    Read Full Post

    A Few Fun Facts About SWOT

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft onboard is seen as preparations for launch continue, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California

    While we wait for that second stage engine to restart, take a look at a few fun facts about today's Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission: SWOT is the fourth Launch Services Program (LSP) science mission to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a SpaceX Falcon 9 SWOT is LSP's 101st …

    Read Full Post

    First Stage Sticks the Landing, Second Stage Engine Cuts Off

    The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that launched the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite returns to landing zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's first stage has successfully landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base's landing zone 4 in California. Meanwhile, the engine in the Falcon 9's second stage has cut off. The rocket's upper stage and the spacecraft are now in a parking orbit, and in approximately 35 minutes, the engine will restart for …

    Read Full Post

    Falcon 9 Main Engine Cuts Off, First Stage Separates

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's first stage separates from the second stage.

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines have finished their burn, and the first stage has separated from the rocket. As the second stage continues carrying the U.S.- and French-led Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite on its journey, the rocket's first stage will attempt a controlled landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base's …

    Read Full Post

    Liftoff! SWOT Soars Upward

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite.

    Ignition, and liftoff! At 3:46 a.m. PST, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Space Launch Complex-4 East, carrying the first satellite to survey nearly all water on Earth's surface. Stay here on the blog as we take you through some key flight milestones, coming up in the next couple of …

    Read Full Post

    SWOT Is ‘GO’ for Launch

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite atop, stands poised for liftoff at Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base

    NASA Launch Director Tim Dunn has just given the final "go" for launch of the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite! In the next few moments, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines will roar to life, sending SWOT on the start of its journey to survey nearly all water on Earth's …

    Read Full Post

    SWOT Nearing Liftoff

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite atop, stands poised for liftoff at Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Dec. 16, 2022.

    We are just over 15 minutes away from liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will carry the Earth water-monitoring satellite to orbit. Weather continues to look good at 100% "go" for launch, and the rocket's engines are chilling in preparation for launch. As a reminder, the launch broadcast is airing now on NASA …

    Read Full Post

    SWOT: A First of Its Kind

    The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft is moved into a transport container inside the Astrotech facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California

    Water is an essential part of life on Earth, and now, scientists are using a satellite mission to take a closer look. A joint development between NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the UK Space Agency, the Surface Water and Ocean …

    Read Full Post

    Live Launch Coverage for SWOT Begins

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite atop, stands poised for liftoff at Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Dec. 16, 2022.

    Hello, and welcome to live launch coverage of the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission! A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands poised for liftoff at Vandenberg Space Force Base's Space Launch Complex-4 East in California, ready to send SWOT on the first mission to observe nearly all water on the Earth's surface. NASA's …

    Read Full Post