SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket to Set New Reusability Record Tonight
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to achieve a groundbreaking feat tonight as it attempts its 16th launch and landing. The rocket will be carrying 22 of SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink internet satellites onboard. The launch is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 8:36 pm ET.
This launch will mark the 16th mission for the rocket’s first stage, setting a new record for reusability. The Falcon 9 rocket has proven its reliability and cost-effectiveness by successfully completing multiple missions, including the historic Demo-2 mission that carried NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in 2020.
The live coverage of the launch will be available on Space.com, courtesy of SpaceX, or directly through the company’s website. Viewers can tune in five minutes before liftoff to catch all the action.
Following liftoff, the Falcon 9 booster will make its way back to Earth for yet another landing. The landing will take place on the SpaceX droneship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. Meanwhile, the expendable upper stage of the rocket will continue its journey, carrying the 22 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. These satellites, known as the “V2 Minis,” are an upgraded version of SpaceX’s broadband craft and will provide approximately four times more capacity per satellite compared to earlier iterations.
SpaceX’s innovation and dedication to reusability are evident in their plans for the future. The company’s next-generation Starship vehicle, currently in development, aims to revolutionize space travel by introducing fully reusable stages. SpaceX founder and CEO, Elon Musk, envisions a future where both stages of the Starship will be capable of flying multiple times in a single day.
With each successful launch and landing, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and make significant strides towards a more sustainable and cost-effective space industry. As the launch time approaches, all eyes will be on the Falcon 9 rocket as it attempts to establish a new reusability record.
(Note: This article was updated to reflect the new launch time of 8:36 p.m. EDT)