SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster, tail number 1058, will soon embark on its record-breaking 16th flight. This particular booster gained recognition for being emblazoned with a red NASA ‘worm’ logo before its historic launch in May 2020 when it carried astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon capsule. After this significant debut, booster 1058 has completed 14 more flights, including missions like the delivery of South Korea’s Anasis 2 military communications satellite and multiple Starlink satellite launches.
Originally, SpaceX aimed to reuse each Falcon 9 first stage a total of 10 times. However, due to the success and good condition of the vehicles, the company decided to push the limit and qualify for 15 flights. Booster 1058 is now poised to surpass that number, marking a notable milestone for SpaceX.
With over 200 days since its last flight, booster 1058 likely underwent thorough inspections and refurbishment work to ensure its readiness for additional launches. On its 16th flight, the booster will carry 22 second-generation Starlink ‘V2 mini’ satellites into orbit. These satellites boast larger sizes and four times the bandwidth compared to previous models. While the full-sized V2 Starlink satellites were originally intended to be launched by SpaceX’s fully-reusable Starship vehicle, the delay prompted the creation of a condensed version that could be launched on the Falcon 9 instead.
The upcoming mission will bring the total number of Starlink spacecraft launched to 4,768, with 4,435 currently in orbit, according to statistics compiled by Jonathan McDowell. SpaceX’s Starlink internet service, which currently has 1.5 million subscribers and is available in over 56 countries, has been steadily expanding its coverage.
The launch of booster 1058 is scheduled to take place at 8:36 p.m. EDT (0036 UTC Monday) from Cape Canaveral. After separation from the second stage, the booster will attempt a landing on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic. Two burns of the second stage will be necessary to ensure the satellites are properly positioned in their designated orbit.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of rocket reusability, the 16th flight of booster 1058 signifies another impressive achievement for the company’s Falcon 9 fleet.