Citizen Airmen support historic launch of Bulgarian satellite

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 920th Rescue Wing assisted in another successful launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket June 23 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Aircrew aboard an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter worked diligently to clear the Eastern Test Range and ensure the Atlantic Ocean coastline beneath the rocket’s path was clear of sea craft and mariners beforehand.

The Falcon 9 rocket launched the BulgariaSat-1 satellite, the first geostationary communications satellite in Bulgaria’s history, into orbit, according to the SpaceX website. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 successfully landed on SpaceX’s East Coast droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

In all, eight aircrew flying two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters supported the event. Everyone involved said they were honored to be a part of the historic mission.

“I grew up in Florida and watched rockets and shuttles launch as a child,” said Lt. Col. Roderick Stout, 301st Rescue Squadron weapons and tactics officer. “Now I'm proud to support launch activities at Cape Canaveral.”

This mission marked the second re-flight of a Falcon 9 first stage, having previously supported the Iridium-1 mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in January of this year, according SpaceX officials.

The next launch out of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for July 2 at 7:30 p.m., in which SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch Intelsat 35e, a communication satellite for parts of the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, according to the center’s website.