SpaceX kicked off its final push of 2024 with a successful launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites. The mission took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:48 p.m. EST (5:48 p.m. PST or 0148 GMT on Dec. 29), marking the company’s 132nd launch this year. With two additional launches planned in the next two days, SpaceX aims to complete a record-breaking 134 missions by year’s end.
Falcon 9 Takes Flight with Starlink Payload
The Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) under clear skies, lifting 22 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. About 65 minutes post-liftoff, the satellites were scheduled to deploy, continuing SpaceX’s rapid expansion of its Starlink megaconstellation.
This launch was a milestone for the Falcon 9’s first stage, which successfully completed its 16th recovery by landing on the Pacific Ocean droneship, “Of Course I Still Love You.” This feat underscores SpaceX’s ongoing success with rocket reusability. “It’s been an amazing journey for this booster, with 16 missions and counting,” remarked a mission controller during the livestream.
A Record-Breaking Year for SpaceX
With 132 launches already in the books, SpaceX’s 2024 campaign has been its busiest year to date. This includes 88 Starlink missions, further cementing the company’s dominance in the global satellite internet market. Only one mission experienced a major issue: a failure caused by an upper stage liquid oxygen leak. Despite the setback, the company’s overall success rate has remained exceptional.
Vice President of Launch Kiko Dontchev took to the social media platform X to reflect on the achievement. “We’re now targeting 134 launches — two shy of our last goal — to finish 2024 strong,” Dontchev wrote. “Ultimately, there is only one number that truly matters. ZERO failures. Our priority is – and will remain – safety and reliability above all else.”
Starlink Megaconstellation Dominates Low Earth Orbit
The Starlink megaconstellation, already the largest satellite network in history, now boasts nearly 6,700 active spacecraft, according to data from astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. This global network delivers high-speed internet connectivity to regions that are underserved or inaccessible by traditional infrastructure.
In addition to enabling connectivity, Starlink plays a critical role in SpaceX’s broader ambitions. Revenue from Starlink supports the company’s Mars colonization goals and accelerates development of its next-generation spacecraft, including Starship, which is intended for interplanetary travel.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With its final missions of 2024 on the horizon, SpaceX is already preparing for an even more ambitious 2025. The company’s ability to maintain its aggressive launch cadence while ensuring mission reliability has set a new benchmark for the industry. As SpaceX continues to expand its technological and operational capabilities, it remains a key player in advancing humanity’s access to space.
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