SpaceX has successfully launched one of its Falcon 9 rockets into space A ninth time registration on Sunday, becoming the first in the company’s fleet to launch and land nine times. The Falcon 9 the rocket was carrying a new payload of 60 Starlink satellites, which are part of the company’s efforts to provide satellite internet.
The successful launch and landing of this first-stage amplifier is noteworthy given the SpaceX objectives when it designed the Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 was designed to be able to fly 10 times with little or no change between missions. Company currently has two Falcon 9 booster missiles close to the coveted 10 flights, per Space.com, and closely monitors the wear and tear of each rocket each time it takes off.
The Falcon 9 rocket that the company launched on Sunday also supported the launch of Crew Dragon Demo-1, Dragon’s first unmanned test flight of the spaceship; The mission of the constellation RADARSAT or the new Earth observation satellite in Canada; SXM-7, SirusXM’s satellite failed which aimed to support its digital radio service; and five other Starlink missions.
SpaceX sent three lots of Starlink satellites in space in the last two weeks, adding 180 satellites to the more than 1,000 it already has upstairs. It has two more Starlink launches scheduled for March.
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However, company officials recently said that 10 may not be the “magic number” and that Falcon 9 missiles could make more flights, SpaceNews reported. Once a booster reaches the limit of 10 flights, SpaceX will analyze the booster and assess whether it can “go on with it”.
As TechCrunch puncture outside, reuse of missiles is especially important for Starlink missions, as SpaceX begins to intensify its satellite internet service. Starlink are 10,000 customers at the moment, though SpaceX recently open pre-orders for service. For a $ 99 refundable deposit, customers receive a Starlink kit which includes a antenna mountable antenna, wifi router and power supply. The entire kit costs $ 499 and mthe second service costs $ 99 per month.
It should be noted that it is still unclear whether SpaceX will be able to launch enough satellites to cover the areas it needs to cover, and providing a reliable internet service. Appear the company is trying, though.