Sonic booms heard across Florida after successful SpaceX launch of Falcon 9 rocket
The thunderous crack of a sonic boom was heard across parts of central Florida as SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket.
While the reusable rocket usually lands on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean, its 10th launch saw the booster return to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
As the booster broke the sound barrier on its return about 10 minutes after the launch at 10.30 am local time, observers across the region reported hearing the sonic booms shortly before touching down at Landing Zone 1, about five miles south of where it launched.
SOUND UP: First #SpaceX booster landing of the year at the Cape complete with #sonicboom 💥🚀@news6wkmg @SpaceX @elonmusk #transporter3 pic.twitter.com/cfAkvUxSG8
— James Sparvero (@News6James) January 13, 2022
Amazing landing for @SpaceX #Transporter3 mission!#BoomBoom #SonicBoom pic.twitter.com/nBDwaUYoEa
— Kristina Verner (@kristinaverner) January 13, 2022
Spacex booster landing with sonic boom pic.twitter.com/097PT69uAJ
— Chuck (@ctb59NH_FL) January 13, 2022
SpaceX had warned residents could hear sonic booms in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.
With the previous nine launches on a drone ship out at sea, Thursday’s launch was the first the sonic boom of the return landing could be heard on land.
The successful launch delivered SpaceX’s Transporter-3 into orbit, carrying up 105 satellites and other spacecraft for commercial and government customers.
It was the 102nd recovery of a stage 1 booster for Elon Musk’s private space firm.