SpaceX launched a total of 143 small satellites into orbit this Sunday at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch set the world record for the most amount of spacecraft ever deployed on a single launch. The mind-blowing SpaceX launch was a success after one month of weather-related delays. The 143 small satellites were boosted into orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
What is SpaceX?
SpaceX was founded in 2002 by current Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk is the richest man in the world. The purpose of the SpaceX company is to manufacture aerospace technology and to lower space transportation costs in order to successfully and safely transport people to space. (Musk even had a plan to potentially colonize Mars in the future.)
SpaceX even sells “Occupy Mars” t-shirts on their official website, which also states that SpaceX’s mission is, “Building on the achievements of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, SpaceX is working on a next generation of fully reusable launch vehicles that will be the most powerful ever built, capable of carrying humans to Mars and other destinations in the solar system.” (On another merch note, you can even buy your child an official SpaceX spacesuit onesie.)
What is the Significance of Sunday’s Launch?
The Falcon 9 launch was SpaceX’s first dedicated SmallSat rideshare program mission. SpaceX describes the Falcon 9 rocket as the first of its kind, being the very first orbital class reusable rocket. The reusable rocket allows SpaceX to get further to the company’s goal of affordable space travel, due to the fact that SpaceX is able to re-fly the most expensive parts of the Falcon 9 rocket.
You can watch a replay of the launch here.
Elon Musk tweeted his excitement about the upcoming launch.
And the official SpaceX Twitter posted a cool video of the Falcon 9’s successful liftoff.
What’s next for SpaceX? The company is supposed to be testing a launch for their Starship SN9 prototype today. The test could occur between 12 and 6 pm central standard time. You can check out the live feed below.
The launch test today may not occur due to inclement weather. Stay tuned at GritDaily for more SpaceX updates.
