A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SAOCOM (SAtélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas)-1B Earth observation satellite for Argentina on 30 August 2020 at 7:18 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In addition, two rideshare payloads, Tyvak-0172 and PlanetiQ’s GNOMES-1 also rode along into orbit. This mission marks SpaceX’s first launch to a polar orbit from the East Coast, and the first polar launch from Florida in decades. Falcon 9’s first stage previously launched Dragon to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s 19th and 20th commercial resupply missions, and it also supported launch of SpaceX’s ninth Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9 first stage landed at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The SAOCOM (Satellites for Observation and Communications) satellites are Argentina’s first foray into Remote Sensing missions using a range of satellite-based instruments for agricultural and soil moisture studies and other natural resource monitoring along with helping to provide management for emergencies or natural disasters.

PlanetiQ’s GNOMES (GNSS Navigation and Occultation Measurement Satellites)-1 will use radio occultation to assist in weather forecasting, climate research, and space weather monitoring.

There is no available information on the purpose of Tyvak-0172.