SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has resumed its aggressive launch schedule, conducting three missions in a row from Saturday to Monday, a clear indication of the company’s drive to meet its ambitious goals. The company launched 21 Starlink satellites on Saturday, followed by the Space Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) on Sunday and another 23 Starlink satellites on Monday. These launches represent a significant increase in activity compared to July, when SpaceX only managed six launches due to a two-week pause. This pause was triggered by an issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s second-stage engine during a Starlink launch on July 11, resulting in the satellites being deployed at a lower-than-intended orbit and their subsequent demise. SpaceX’s launch operations were halted until July 27 after a thorough investigation into the cause of the mishap, with oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the implementation of necessary design changes. SpaceX is on track to achieve its ambitious target of 144 launches in 2024, which translates to an average of twelve launches per month. The company has been steadily increasing its launch numbers over the past few years, with 26 launches in 2020, 31 in 2021, 61 in 2022, and 96 launches in 2023, representing a 57% year-on-year increase, excluding two Starship test flights. SpaceX’s consistent launch activity, fueled by the expansion of its Starlink internet constellation and its growing commercial launch business, highlights the company’s position as a leading player in the rapidly developing space industry. By successfully addressing the technical challenges encountered in July, SpaceX has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining its aggressive launch schedule and pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
SpaceX Picks Up the Pace with Three Consecutive Launches
