12 Oct 2017, 6:53 PM: SpaceX Falcon 9 EchoStar-105/SES-11 rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center FL. This video was recorded approximately 3 miles from launch complex 39A (LC-39A) using a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 at a focal length of 37-1184 mm.
After second stage ignition, I followed the first stage falling/maneuvering towards the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean until I lost it behind the clouds.
@ 3:51, the dot on the left (thrusting second stage and payload) slowly turns into 3 dots aligned vertically. This is actually showing the payload fairing separating in half and falling away (one half above and one half below)! This is the first time I've caught this on video!
Significant milestones for this launch:
- Third mission to reuse a previously flown Falcon 9
- 18th booster landing
- 15th launch of a Falcon 9 this year
- 2nd Falcon 9 launch in 3 days (previous launch from VAFB)
Periodically the image shakes badly. This appears to be the optical stabilization in my camera temporarily shutting off for some unknown reason, perhaps overheating?!?!?!
Mic level adj.: -12dB
