Elon Musk is back in business of launching satellites into orbit after successfully launching the Falcon 9 rocket into space on Saturday. SpaceX remained in headlines since the explosion of one its Falcon rocket while conducting a test on the the launchpad.
SpaceX launched Falcon 9 from Air Force Base, California at 9:54 a.m. PST. This mission aims to put 10 Iridium Communications’ Iridium NEXT satellites into orbit which will be used to enhance mobile voice and relay capabilities.
The Elon Musk led space organization SpaceX has successfully deployed 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into the orbit, confirmed SpaceX. “Successful deployment of 10 IridiumComm NEXT satellites has been confirmed,” said company.
Just after 10 minutes of lunch, the first stage of the rocket successfully touched down on a platform in the Pacific Ocean, a feat previously accomplished by four other returning Falcon rockets. SpaceX has planned to reuse its rockets to lower the expenses from both the sides.
To recall, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was exploded back in September 2016 loaded with Facebook’s internet beaming satellite worth $200 million which was supposed to beam internet in Africa as part of company’s internet.org initiative.
As per the conclusion of the investigation conducted in partnership with federal safety and space agencies including NASA and FAA, one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the second stage liquid oxygen (LOX) tank failed causing the ignition and the subsequent failure of the COPV. For more details, click here.
According to SpaceX, more than 70 missions worth more than $10 billion are pending and awaiting flights on SpaceX Falcon rockets. A post on Wall Street Journal reads that the space company is aiming to launch 27 rockets this year.
SpaceX has also been hired by NASA to fly cargo to the International Space Station, a $100 billion research laboratory that flies 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.
