SpaceX, the private space company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has always been known for its innovative and efficient technology. In the first month of 2024, SpaceX demonstrated its amazing launch capabilities, not only completing 10 space launch missions, seven of which were for its own Starlink Internet satellite program, but also setting a new milestone on January 29, that is, completing two launch missions in just 4 hours, which is unprecedented in the history of spaceflight.
Both launches were to launch SpaceX's Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). Starlink is an ambitious project by SpaceX that aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access services around the world using thousands of satellites. Currently, SpaceX has deployed 5,806 Starlink satellites in LEO orbit, making it the largest satellite operator in the world.
The first launch mission was launched by a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites at 9:10 a.m. Beijing time on January 29 at the 39a launch site of the Kennedy Space Launch Center in Florida on the east coast of the United States. The first stage booster of this rocket was designated B106218, which means that it has completed 18 missions and is one of the veterans of SpaceX. After placing the satellite into its intended orbit, the booster successfully landed on an offshore barge in the Atlantic, ready for the next mission.
The second launch mission was launched by another Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites at 13:02 Beijing time on January 29 at the Vandenberg Space Force Base 4E launch site on the west coast of the United States. The first stage booster of this rocket was designated B10759, this is its 9th mission. Similarly, after putting the satellite into a predetermined orbit, the booster successfully landed on another sea barge in the Pacific Ocean.
The success of these two missions not only adds 45 satellites to SpaceX's Starlink program, but also demonstrates the maturity and reliability of SpaceX's rocket multiplexing technology. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is currently the only launch vehicle in the world capable of achieving a first-stage booster** and reuse, which significantly reduces launch costs and time. SpaceX's goal is to enable each rocket to fly 20 times, if not more. Currently, SpaceX already has two rockets with 18 flights (B1061 and B1062) and is expected to break the record of 19 flights in the future, which is led by B105819, but this rocket unfortunately toppled on the last landing and could not be used again.
In addition to the Starlink program, SpaceX has completed three other launch missions in January 2024, the most notable of which was the Cygnus cargo spacecraft launch on January 31. This is SpaceX's 20th cargo replenishment mission to the International Space Station and the first launch of the Cygnus cargo spacecraft by a Falcon 9 rocket, which was developed by SpaceX in collaboration with NASA and is capable of returning to Earth and landing at sea after completing cargo transportation. The success of this mission has added a new highlight to the cooperation between SpaceX and NASA.
SpaceX has completed 10 space launches in the first month of 2024, which is a staggering number and the busiest month ever for SpaceX. Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, has said that he hopes SpaceX can launch 12 times a month, which means that SpaceX still has some room for improvement. SpaceX aims to increase the number of Starlink satellites to 12,000 by the end of 2024, and for this, SpaceX also needs to accelerate the pace and efficiency of launches. At the same time, SpaceX is also actively developing its larger and more powerful super-heavy rockets, namely Starship and Super Heavy boosters, which are key to SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. SpaceX has conducted two flight tests of Starship, and although both ended in **, it has also provided SpaceX with valuable experience and data. SpaceX plans to conduct its third flight test within this year, hoping to achieve a safe landing.
SpaceX set a record for 2 consecutive launches in 4 hours
SpaceX is an innovative and passionate space company, and every launch is a challenge and contribution to human exploration of space. SpaceX's launch mission is not only amazing, but also exciting, let's wait and see, SpaceX will bring us more surprises and miracles in 2024.