SpaceX Lands Falcon 9 Booster for Record 10th Time

SpaceX Achieves New Milestone in Rocket Reusability

SpaceX recently deployed another batch of 60 Starlink satellites, bringing the total launched in under two weeks to 180. However, the launch, occurring early Sunday morning, was particularly significant due to a new record established for Falcon 9 rocket reusability.

Record-Breaking Booster Performance

This mission represented the tenth flight for the first-stage rocket booster utilized, marking a new benchmark for SpaceX. It is now the company’s most frequently flown rocket booster, having successfully completed more missions than any other.

The launch commenced at 2:42 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Following stage separation, the booster executed a successful return and landing on SpaceX’s drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This tenth landing further solidified the booster’s record-setting status.

Future Reusability Potential

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has suggested that with ongoing maintenance and component upgrades, a Falcon 9 booster could potentially achieve “100+” flights. This highlights the company’s commitment to maximizing the lifespan and utility of its rocket hardware.

Booster's Flight History

Prior to this launch, the Falcon 9 booster had supported critical missions, including the initial unmanned test flight of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, designed for astronaut transport. It had also been employed in seven previous Starlink launches.

Cost Savings Through Reusability

SpaceX’s aggressive Starlink launch cadence demonstrates the practicality of rocket reusability. The majority of these launches have utilized boosters with prior flight experience, including missions for the broadband internet constellation.

As both the launch provider and the customer for Starlink, SpaceX prioritizes cost optimization during its frequent satellite deployment flights. Booster reuse is a vital component of this strategy, delivering substantial savings over time.

Musk has indicated that for external customer launches, the economics reach a break-even point on the second use of a booster, and become cost-effective by the third. The Starlink program consistently pushes the boundaries of reusability, underscoring its importance in reducing the overall expense of building the satellite infrastructure.

Ongoing Starlink Expansion

This launch was the 27th dedicated to the Starlink constellation. Another launch is scheduled for May 15, with additional deployments anticipated later in the month.

SpaceX aims to establish a globally accessible broadband network by the end of the current year, and continued launches are essential to achieving this goal.