SpaceX Achieves 100th Launch Milestone in 2024 with Back-to-Back Falcon 9 Missions
October 15, 2024 marked a significant achievement for SpaceX, as the company successfully launched its 100th rocket of the year. This milestone came through a doubleheader launch, where two Falcon 9 rockets were launched within hours of each other from the East and West Coasts of the United States.
Dual Falcon 9 Launches
In the early hours of October 15, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 2:10 a.m. EDT (0610 GMT). This mission carried 23 Starlink satellites into orbit, with the booster successfully landing on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” stationed off the Florida coast.
Just two hours later, SpaceX launched its 101st rocket of 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, delivering another 20 Starlink satellites into space. The first-stage booster in this mission also made a successful return to Earth.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite facing challenges earlier in the year, including an anomaly with one grounded Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX swiftly resolved the issue and resumed its flight schedule. On October 11, SpaceX was approved to continue its Falcon 9 missions, after resolving concerns related to the Crew-9 astronaut mission‘s upper stage.
Breaking Records and Leading the Global Space Race
SpaceX’s 100th launch surpasses its previous record of 98 launches in 2023, solidifying its position as the world’s leading launch provider in 2024. With 101 launches so far, SpaceX continues to outpace competitors like China, which has conducted 47 missions this year.
The majority of SpaceX’s launches have supported the expansion of the Starlink mega constellation, with 96 of the 101 missions being Falcon 9 rocket launches. In addition, SpaceX has conducted two Falcon Heavy missions and three Starship test flights in 2024, further showcasing its dominance in space exploration and commercial launches.
Looking Ahead
SpaceX’s rapid launch cadence and ability to overcome technical setbacks continue to propel the company forward, positioning it at the forefront of the global space industry. With more missions planned for the rest of 2024, SpaceX remains committed to advancing space technology and expanding its satellite network.