SpaceX's 50th Launch This Year Might Be the Game-Changer We've Been Waiting For
SpaceX has hit a significant milestone, completing its 50th Falcon 9 launch less than halfway through the year. This relentless push keeps Elon Musk's aerospace company on track to achieve, and possibly exceed, a staggering 148 launches in a single calendar year. If you think that's impressive, just wait until you hear about this mission's details.
On a serene Tuesday, 20 direct-to-cell-starlink-satellites">Starlink satellites embarked on a journey from Vandenberg Space Force Base to a 53-degree orbital inclination. Of these, 13 are equipped with direct-to-cell (DtC) capabilities. These DtC satellites are revolutionary, set to eradicate dead zones as they come online. Typically, the satellites will spend two months reaching operational altitudes, undergoing health checks to ascertain their readiness or need for de-orbiting.
The DtC Starlinks come with an added advantage; they facilitate a collaboration with T-Mobile to eventually allow phones to connect directly to the network. Initially, they will provide connectivity in areas with poor or no cellular signal. However, as SpaceX deploys more of these satellites, even populated areas will benefit, just like the early days of Starlink.
Booster 1063 was the star of this 50th mission. The seasoned Falcon 9 rocket, making its 18th flight, last took to the skies 65 days ago. Since its introduction in November 2020, B1063 has launched a myriad of missions including 13 Starlink ventures, a missile warning satellite mini-constellation, and a Transporter mission with 51 distinct payloads. Not to mention, it also carried the Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich ocean monitoring satellite and the renowned DART mission aimed at deflecting an asteroid.
In a flawless maneuver, B1063 landed smoothly on the droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ just over eight minutes after liftoff. The droneship itself made news, setting a record for its quickest turnaround. It spent merely four days in the Port of Long Beach before setting out for this mission.
As SpaceX celebrates this 50-launch milestone, the question on everyone's mind is: How many more launches can they accomplish by year’s end? With their current pace, sky's the limit!