SpaceX tied the rocket reuse record today (November 11).
At 12:25 p.m. ET (16:25 Japan time) today, a Falcon 9 rocket launched communications satellite KoreaSat-6A from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. SpaceX said this was the 23rd mission for the rocket’s first stage, matching a record achieved by two other Falcon 9 boosters.
About 8 minutes and 20 seconds into the flight, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster touched down in Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This was the 23rd landing of this first stage booster and the 364th landing for SpaceX of its entire orbital-class rocket, including both the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy boosters. This was the company’s 107th successful launch this year.
On November 11, 2024, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, carrying the KoreaSat-6A communications satellite into orbit. (Image credit: SpaceX via X)
Meanwhile, the Falcon 9 upper stage continued to transport KoreaSat-6A to geostationary transfer orbit, where it was deployed approximately 34.5 minutes after liftoff.
Weighing 3.9 tons (3.5 metric tons), KoreaSat-6A will depart for geosynchronous orbit 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth. At this altitude, the orbital speed matches the Earth’s rotation speed, allowing the spacecraft to “hover” over the same ground. For this reason, geostationary orbit is a popular destination for reconnaissance and weather satellites, as well as communications aircraft such as KoreaSat-6A.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster lands at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on November 11, 2024. (Image source: SpaceX via X)
“KoreaSat-6A will replace the current KoreaSat-6 satellite and will provide both fixed satellite services (FSS) and broadcast satellite services (BSS) to South Korea,” said Thales, the French company that manufactured the new satellite.・Alenia Space announced. Last year’s statement.
“Built on Thales Alenia Space’s proven Spacebus 4000B2 platform, KoreaSat-6A will be equipped with six BSS transponders and 20 FSS transponders to cover all of South Korea,” the company said. added.
KoreaSat-6A is operated by Korean company KT SAT Corporation Ltd. The expected lifespan of the satellite is 15 years.
On November 11, 2024, SpaceX’s second stage engine ignites beneath the Earth during SpaceX’s launch of the KoreaSat-6A communications satellite. (Image credit: SpaceX via X)
As today’s mission demonstrates, rapidly and repeatedly reusing rockets is a key priority for SpaceX.
The company plans to further enhance reuse in the future. Starship, the company’s next-generation mega-rocket, is designed to be completely reusable, with both stages returning to land on the launch pad. The two rockets SpaceX currently operates, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, have expendable upper stages.