Skip to main content

SpaceX launches last mission of 2024

By
SpaceX launches last mission of 2024
SpaceX began their count down to the New Year with the launch of the first of three rockets planned to end the year 2024.

From Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 of the company’s satellites lifted off. The mission was launched at 8:48pm from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), reported Space.com.

As to plan, about 65 minutes later, the satellites were on track to be deployed into low Earth orbit.

With two still scheduled over the next, it was SpaceX’s 132nd Falcon launch this year.

The two launches include a commercial communications satellites mission and another batch of Starlink satellites.

“We’re now targeting 134 launches — two shy of our last goal — to finish 2024 strong," wrote Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s vice president of launch.

The vice president added: “Here’s to an awesome last couple of days in 2024 and an even better 2025!”

About eight minutes after liftoff, Saturday’s Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth safely, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.

According to a company mission description, it was the 16th landing for this particular booster. Moreover, twelve of its 16 flights to date have been Starlink missions.

With just one failing due to an upper stage liquid oxygen leak, it was SpaceX’s 88th launch this year of Starlink broadband internet satellites.

“Ultimately, there is only one number that truly matters. ZERO failures. Our priority is – and will remain – safety and reliability above all else,” wrote Dontchev.

According to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the Starlink megaconstellation, which is the biggest ever assembled, currently consists of nearly 6,700 active spacecraft.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Army chief assures business community of ‘complete support’ for economic uplift

By Admin
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday assured the business community of the army’s “complete support” for the economic uplift of the country. He made this assurance during a meeting with businessmen who called on him at the General Headquarters today, according to a statement by the military’s media affairs wing. A delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and the army chief discussed the “evolving regional economic environment” as well as the FPCCI’s role in the development of commercial and industrial hubs in Pakistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. During the meeting, Gen Bajwa appreciated the role of the business community in the economic uplift of the country and affirmed all-out support of the army in this regard. The delegation, meanwhile, acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s role and sacrifices in the provision of a "secure enabling environment" for economic prosperity in the country, acco...
Post a Comment
Read more

3rd U-19 Women T20: South Africa beat Pakistan by 52 runs

By
In the third T20 of the five-match series in Karachi, South Africa Under-19 women's team defeated Pakistan Under-19 women's team by 52 runs tonight. Batting first, South Africa Under-19 women's team scored 158 runs for the loss of six wickets in allotted 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan Under-19 women's team were all out for 106 runs in 18 overs. South Africa lead the series 2-1.
Post a Comment
Read more

IRGC says armed forces prepared for all scenarios amid heightened military readiness

By
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's armed forces are better prepared than before and are fully ready for any future contingency, asserting that any return by the enemy to military aggression will be met with different operational approaches. Spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi credited both existing capabilities and experience gained through direct confrontation with the enemy for the enhanced position, Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday. "If the enemy returns to the military arena, the nature of the operations, the geography of the battlefield, and even the types of weapons used will be different," he said. "The IRGC is fully prepared for all possible scenarios." 'Capabilities increased during ceasefire' The IRGC official also said Iran has used the ceasefire period to strengthen its military readiness and repair damage. "The reality is that during the ceasefire period, our military and operational capabilities inc...
Post a Comment
Read more