Falcon 9 rocket launches, lands for the eighth time in dicey winds [Updated]

Enlarge / SpaceX's seventeenth batch of Starlink satellites and eighth flight of this Falcon 9 first stage (B1051.8) ascending through the upper atmosphere headed to space later landing successfully on the 'Just Read The Instructions' droneship. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann)

8:15am ET Wednesday update: The Falcon 9 rocket took off on schedule on Wednesday morning, lofting its payload of 60 Starlink Internet satellites toward orbit. Then came something of a challenge for this first stage-sticking the landing. According to SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson, winds at the surface near the landing site were stronger than what Falcon 9 rockets have experienced on previous flights.

This landing attempt would therefore "test the wind limits," she said, and be an "envelope expansion" flight. Although the video feed from Just Read the Instructions was briefly lost as the booster neared the droneship, when the video returned, the Falcon 9 first stage was there, venting in the chill ocean air, very nearly in the middle of its landing pad. And so this booster will now have a chance to go for nine flights.

Envelope, expanded. pic.twitter.com/b59aex5eDG

- Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) January 20, 2021

Original post: SpaceX is continuing to make strides as it pushes the boundaries of reusing the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket.

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