SpaceX is breaking records with its Falcon 9 rockets, having launched the same booster for the 21st time on May 17, 2024. This historic event took place during a launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and sent 23 Starlink internet satellites to orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket launched at approximately 8:32 p.m. EDT (0032 GMT on May 18), marking the company's record-breaking mission number 51 for the year. The first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff and touched down on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Starlink satellites will help eliminate dead zones and eventually allow phones to connect to various networks, including T-Mobile in the U.S., as they reach their operational orbits over the next few months.
This launch was not without its challenges, as high solar activity and geomagnetic storms affected the Starlink constellation following a previous mission. However, all satellites involved in this mission weathered through these conditions successfully.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has now launched 21 times for this particular booster, breaking its own record and demonstrating the reusability capabilities of the company's technology. The first stage of the Falcon 9 is expected to be reused again in future missions.
The success of this mission comes after SpaceX reached a significant milestone by launching its 50th Falcon 9 mission on May 14, which also set a new record for the company. The DtC Starlink satellites launched during that mission will help improve connectivity in areas with limited or no cell signal.
Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX's ongoing missions and advancements in space technology.
