Airborne infrared observations were conducted by the Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) Team with the U.S. Navy P-3 Cast Glance and the NASA WB-57 aircraft of the SpaceX CRS-4 Falcon 9 first stage. This occurred on a test flight of the Falcon 9 first stage reentry and controlled descent, a capability which has now led to many intact recoveries of the SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage. Infrared airborne imagery was acquired by both aircraft throughout the ascent and descent, optimized for a supersonic retropropulsive maneuver that would slow the vehicle prior to initiating a landing burn for touchdown. This report will discuss the mission operations required to plan, deploy, and coordinate the observation with the two aircraft. Constraints included safely operating within the Eastern Test Range, modeling and simulation to ensure optimal camera views and proper infrared camera settings, and coordination with SpaceX launch and recovery forces.
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