trevormahlmann
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Parker Solar Probe launching on the world's largest rocket, in photos + update!
🕑 Added 2018-08-14 22:33:08 +0000 UTC Full gallery of Parker Solar Probe images(settings / downloads integrated!): https://www.tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets/United-Launch-Alliance/Parker-Solar-Probe/-----
Hey y'all! Here are all my photos (well, almost all) from the Parker Solar Probe mission!
If you have noticed in the last few galleries I have shared, my new website is ready to go (settings / downloads are integrated) and is now IN BETA! Woo hoo! Long time coming but glad to finally have that done and ready to go. There is still more to go, but the majority of the work providing the rewards I have promised is done.
Parker Solar Probe was epic, and as I said above this is most of the photos I took. I still have another (epic) long exposure I am waiting for approval to publish. (you are gonna flip out, I promise the wait is worth it)
I was able to go out to the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse with a gentleman from the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation on both launch mornings (scrub and actual launch) and made an incredible photo of the launch going over top of the lighthouse. I also recorded a Sound Traveler with Destin so I am excited for the photo and that video to come out soon. I'll be doing a BTS blog article about that photo.
No BTS video: Because of the Sound Traveler and the dual early mornings (my circadian rhythm is now really messed up) this launch kicked my ass. I learned that I tried to do too much:
- 6-8 remote cameras, photos and video--only 5 of the photo ones worked. Video remote camera not at all
- sound traveler
- lighthouse photo
- help escort Destin/Trent around to where they needed to go and have a great first launch
Honestly, I am not disappointed I didn't create a BTS video though. I wanted so badly for them to have a great launch since they have never been to KSC or the Cape and it just took up a lot of my time.
Sometimes you have to sacrifice what you wanted to do (at something I do all the time -- launches) so that they could have a great one (a rare occasion for them to be here) and I am feeling so glad I did that.
Next time, I will try to do less. Just do a few cameras and make a really good video vs doing a lot of cameras, only having a few work, and not having the energy to do a video.
What's next for you?
Alex and I have had a wonderful time in Boston this summer and have seen a lot of cool places. We've been here since early June and we will be moving to New Jersey for her next rotation August 25th. (unfortunately won't be able to attend Telstar 18 VANTAGE NET Aug 23/24)
Here's my galleries of photos from Boston: https://www.tmahlmann.com/photos/Places/North-America/United-States/Massachusetts/Boston
and my galleries from our two trips up to Maine: https://www.tmahlmann.com/photos/Places/North-America/United-States/Maine
When's the next launch(es)?
All of the upcoming launches I plan to cover next are from Vandenberg! (I am so excited about this, Vandenberg was beautiful and the fog only has me itching to go back) Cape Canaveral I guess is going to sleep for awhile!
NET September 15 - The final Delta II rocket will launch NASA's ICESat-2 mission to study the changes in ice sheet elevations. The rocket will fly in the 7420 configuration with four solid rocket boosters and no third stage. I've only ever photographed Delta IV Heavy now. Glad to catch the final Delta II before it is retired..
NET September - SAOCOM 1A - A SpaceX Falcon 9 Block V rocket will launch the SAOCOM 1A for CONAE, Argentina’s space agency. SAOCOM 1A is the first of two SAOCOM 1-series Earth observation satellites designed to provide radar imagery to help emergency responders and monitor the environment, including the collection of soil moisture measurements. This will be the first RTLS (return to landing site) land landing at Vandenberg. You can imagine what kind of imagery this launch will allow...
NET 3Q 2018 - Iridium 8 - A SpaceX Falcon 9 Block V rocket will launch the final 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. This will be the final Iridium launch with SpaceX.
NET Sept 26 - NROL-71 - Delta IV Heavy - Vandenberg, CA. Classified.
These are all tentative dates and I hope to be at all of them.
Discord
Are you in there yet? You should be! ($5+) Click here to find out how to join discord and get in on all the fun you're missing out on..
Anyway, thanks for your support! Lots lots lots going on and I am doing my best to keep up!
Trevor
Comments
Jessie Goodpasture
I A M S O J E A L O U S
Trevor Mahlmann
Sorry it's taken a few days. Had multiple flights cancelled on my way back home and it was just a mess.
AJ Peck
I’ve been waiting for your pictures! Excited to see them.
