SpaceX Sets Record for Most Satellites Launched

SpaceX achieved a groundbreaking milestone by launching and deploying a record-breaking number of satellites with its Transporter-1 mission on Sunday. This flight marked the inaugural launch under SpaceX’s dedicated rideshare program, a system that allocates the rocket’s capacity to numerous clients, lowering individual costs while still ensuring SpaceX receives complete compensation for the launch and operation of its launch vehicle.

This particular launch carried a total of 143 satellites, with 133 belonging to various companies that secured transport. In addition, SpaceX deployed 10 of its own Starlink satellites, increasing the total number in orbit to over 1,000 and bolstering its broadband communication network. During a broadcast last week, SpaceX announced the commencement of beta testing with customers in Canada and plans for expansion into the United Kingdom through a private, pre-launch trial.

Among the customers utilizing today’s launch were Planet Labs, deploying 48 SuperDove satellites for Earth observation; Swarm, launching 36 miniature satellites for Internet of Things (IoT) communication; and Kepler, augmenting its network with an additional eight communication spacecraft. This rideshare approach pioneered by SpaceX is expected to accelerate the development of on-orbit constellations for emerging space companies and startups, working alongside other small payload launch providers such as Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit.

Notably, this SpaceX launch was the first to place Starlink satellites into a polar orbit, a crucial step in the ongoing development of the company’s broadband service. The mission also featured a successful recovery of the Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage booster – its fifth recovery to date – and the retrieval of both fairing halves, which shielded the payload during ascent. These fairings were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean and will undergo refurbishment for future use.