SAOCOM 1B

SAOCOM (Satélite Argentino de Observación Con Microondas, Spanish for Argentine Microwave Observation Satellite) are a set of twin spacecraft referred to as SAOCOM 1A and SAOCOM 1B. The satellites are Earth observation spacecraft operated by Argentina and designed to help predict and mitigate natural disasters and aid in response.

1A was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on October 7th, 2018, and deployed into a near-polar Sun-Synchronous Orbit. SAOCOM 1B launched on a Falcon 9 rocket to the same orbit from Cape Canaveral on August 30th after delays caused by COVID-19 restrictions, weather, and the postponement of ULA's Delta IV Heavy launch at the pad next door. This mission marks the first polar launch from Florida's Space Coast since the 1960s.

Following the launch, the Falcon 9 booster came soaring back through the skies over Florida for a smooth touchdown on the ground at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral. It was this particular Falcon 9's fourth round trip to space.