Some of you might have missed the spectacular launch of the STP-2 mission on the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket at 2:30 a.m. EDT today. The Air Force Space Test Program-2 (STP-2) mission successfully deployed 24 science and technology demonstration satellites for NASA, NOAA, DoD research laboratories, and the Planetary Society in multiple orbits, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
We did a diary on the launch and the science payloads last night here.
Here are a few outstanding videos and eye-candy images of the launch from the twitterverse for your viewing pleasure.
Some pre-launch photos —
The Lift-off -
An amazing set of time-lapse photographs of the flight and side booster landings -
The Mesmerizing Plume -
Side boosters separation and landing —
More pictures from SpaceX at www.flickr.com/...
The center core that missed the landing on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You -
The fairing (nose-cone half) caught by GO Ms. Tree (previously known as Mr. Steven) -
A look at Ms. Tree while she was in port -
Final satellite deployment -
The full launch and satellite deployment video -
Enjoy!