Videos: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and landing + Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo test

Yesterday a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a spysat for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Kennedy Space Center. The first stage returned for a successful landing at the Cape. Here are some photos and videos of the launch and booster return.

NROL-76 Mission

Close-up of rocket stage separation, fast flip, boostback burn in a ring of fire and then landing burn

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Landing

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Later in the day Virgin Galactic did an unpowered drop test of the SpaceShipTwo “Unity” and tested the feathering mechanism for reentry.

VSS Unity glides back for a landing at the Mojave Air & Space Port.

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