Tag Archives: 20th

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on record 20th reflight of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage – Space.com

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SpaceX has broken its rocket-reuse record yet again.

A Falcon 9 rocket launched 23 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites to orbit from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday (April 12) at 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 GMT on April 13).

It was the 20th liftoff for this particular Falcon 9 first stage, according to a SpaceX mission description, setting a new reusability mark for the company.The mission lifted off on the 43rd anniversary of NASA's first launch of its reusable spacecraft, the space shuttle, which first flew this day in 1981.

Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky

To plan, the Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth for the 20th time, landing about 8.5 minutes after it launched on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast.

The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, continued hauling the 23 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO). The spacecraft were set to be deployed there about 65.5 minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk wants to help humanity colonize Mars and achieve a variety of other ambitious exploration feats. Rocket reusability is a key part of this vision, helping to cut the cost of spaceflight and increase its cadence.

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

So SpaceX's reuse records don't tend to last long. The previous mark 19 flights for a Falcon 9 booster was first set in December 2023 and then repeated in February and March 2024.

SpaceX has now launched 38 orbital missions so far in 2024. Most of them have been dedicated to building out its Starlink broadband megaconstellation, which currently consists of nearly 5,650 operational satellites.

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SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on record 20th reflight of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage - Space.com

SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launches spacecraft to the International Space Station: All the best pictures – Wonderwall

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By Wonderwall.com Editors 7:10pm PST, Jan 31, 2024

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

The Falcon 9 rocket carried more than four tons of science gear, equipment and crew supplies including ice cream, fresh fruit and cheese on a two-day flight to the ISS. If all goes according to plan, the cargo ship will arrive at some point on Feb. 1.

Keep reading to see more of the best pictures of the launch

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

MORE: NASA unveils new supersonic aircraft: All the best pictures

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter vents gasses before launching from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands after launching with Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launches spacecraft to the International Space Station: All the best pictures - Wonderwall

Cygnus Soars on SpaceX Rocket to Resupply International Space Station – SciTechDaily

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Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, loaded with more than 8,200 pounds of supplies, launched to the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking the 20th resupply mission by Northrop Grumman for NASA. Credit: SpaceX

A fresh supply of more than 8,200 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo is on its way to the International Space Station on a Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 12:07 p.m. EST Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

About 15 minutes after launch, Cygnus reached its preliminary orbit. About two hours after launch, the spacecraft successfully deployed its two solar arrays.

A successful liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, heads to the International Space Station for the 20th Northrop Grumman resupply mission on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The spacecraft is expected to reach the space station on Thursday, February 1, 2024, bringing 8,200 pounds of science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew. Credit: Kim Shiflett

Cygnus is scheduled to arrive at the space station around 4:15 a.m. Thursday, February 1.

NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and agencys website will provide live coverage of the spacecrafts approach and arrival beginning at 2:45 a.m.

NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli will capture Cygnus using the stations Canadarm2 robotic arm, and NASA astronaut Loral OHara will be acting as a backup. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity modules Earth-facing port.

This is Northrop Grummans 20th contracted resupply mission for NASA.

Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, atop a SpaceX 9 Falcon rocket, soars from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, for the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply mission for NASA. The spacecraft will bring 8,200 pounds of science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station including tests of a 3D metal printer, semiconductor manufacturing, and thermal protection systems. The Cygnus spacecraft is expected to reach the space station on Thursday, February 1, 2024, where it will remain until its expected departure in May. Credit: SpaceX

Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft is an unmanned cargo spacecraft designed to transport supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS). Developed as part of NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, Cygnus plays a crucial role in maintaining the ISSs operations and advancing space research.

The spacecraft consists of two primary components: the Service Module, which contains the spacecrafts avionics, propulsion, and power systems, and the Pressurized Cargo Module, where the cargo is stored. Once Cygnus completes its mission and is unberthed from the ISS, it safely burns up upon re-entering the Earths atmosphere. This design makes Cygnus an efficient means of not only delivering supplies but also disposing of the stations waste.

Over the years, Cygnus has been instrumental in numerous resupply missions, contributing significantly to the ongoing success and sustainability of the ISS and its missions.

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Cygnus Soars on SpaceX Rocket to Resupply International Space Station - SciTechDaily