0
0
SpaceX Breaks Rocket-Reuse Record with Falcon 9 Launch Tonight
SpaceX is poised to make history tonight by tying its rocket-reuse record. A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to deliver 23 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is set to occur within a four-hour window starting at 7:29 p.m. EDT (2329 GMT).
According to a SpaceX mission description, this mission will mark the 19th flight for the Falcon 9’s first stage, matching a record set in December and equaled for the first time last month.
Viewers can witness the event live through SpaceX’s Twitter account, with coverage starting approximately five minutes before the launch window opens.
Advancing Rocket Reusability
If the launch proceeds as planned, the Falcon 9’s first stage is expected to return to Earth and land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. Meanwhile, the rocket’s upper stage will continue its journey, deploying the 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit around 65.5 minutes after liftoff.
Rocket reusability represents a foundational element of SpaceX’s mission, championed by its visionary founder and CEO, Elon Musk. The company’s future endeavors, including the development of Starship, emphasize full and rapid reusability. Musk believes that such technological advancements are critical for making Martian settlement economically viable.
As SpaceX prepares for the upcoming test flight of Starship—its next-generation vehicle—in South Texas, the company continues to push the boundaries of aerospace innovation.
Image/Photo credit: source url
