What To Know
- Indeed, the cost of a launch is largely determined by the cost of the propellant and being able to reuse it multiple times allows SpaceX to offer competitive prices on the space launch market.
- Thanks to reuse, SpaceX has not only transformed the space industry by making launches more affordable and accessible, but the company has also paved the way for a high launch rate and more frequent missions.
- Since the first successful landing of a Falcon 9 booster in December 2015, SpaceX has come a long way in developing and improving its recovery technology.
SpaceX reached another significant milestone today with the successful launch of 23 satellites in its Starlink constellation from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This flight not only marks the continued expansion of SpaceX’s megaconstellation to provide high-speed internet access around the world, but also illustrates the company’s remarkable progress in rocket reuse.
Benefits of Reusing SpaceX Rockets
One of the most significant innovations of SpaceX is the ability to recover and reuse the first stages of its Falcon 9 rockets. This strategy aims to significantly reduce launch costs by avoiding the construction of new launchers for each mission. Indeed, the cost of a launch is largely determined by the cost of the propellant and being able to reuse it multiple times allows SpaceX to offer competitive prices on the space launch market. Thanks to reuse, SpaceX has not only transformed the space industry by making launches more affordable and accessible, but the company has also paved the way for a high launch rate and more frequent missions. Each successful landing of a Falcon 9 booster represents a step closer to a vision where space travel becomes as routine as air travel.
The Amos-17 satellite launched by a Falcon 9 rocket in 2018. Credits: SpaceX
An impressive new record
Since the first successful landing of a Falcon 9 booster in December 2015, SpaceX has come a long way in developing and improving its recovery technology. Initial recovery attempts were often unsuccessful, but each failure was a valuable lesson for the company. Over time, success rates have improved, processes have been refined, and SpaceX has repeatedly demonstrated the reliability and robustness of its reusable boosters. On Thursday, the company distinguished itself again with the 22nd successful landing of the same booster. This is a record. This mission aimed to launch 23 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, adding to SpaceX’s already impressive fleet in orbit. The total number of Starlink satellites currently in orbit (operational and non-operational) now stands at more than 6,000. This Falcon 9 first stage now has fifteen Starlink missions under its belt, in addition to three commercial satellite launches and two GPS satellite launches for the US Space Force. The booster had also been used for the all-civilian flight Inspiration4 and the Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station. This success is a testament to the exceptional durability and performance of these launch vehicles and their ability to be reliably reused for repeated missions. Each successful landing marks another step toward SpaceX’s ultimate goal: to make access to space more economical, sustainable and safe.
