SpaceX Successfully Launches Its First Mission Of 2019

SpaceX, short for Space Exploration Technologies Corp is a privately owned American company that manufactures aerospace vehicles and offers space transportation services. The company was founded in 2002 and has since developed two lineups of aerospace vehicles which are Falcon and Dragon. SpaceX has successfully developed orbital rockets that are capable of being reused. This feature allows SpaceX rockets to drastically reduce the costs of launching satellites in and around earth’s orbit. On 11 January 2019, the company successfully launched its first rocket of the year. 

Falcon 9 Successfully Launches The Last Batch Of Iridium Satellites

SpaceX previously signed a contract with Iridium Communications to launch 75 in-orbit satellites that will update Iridium’s aging space fleet. The new fleet of satellites is called Iridium NEXT constellation and it will replace the original fleet of the company that was launched between the year 1997 and 2002. 

The satellites owned by Iridium Communications are used for worldwide voice and data communication from hand-held satellite phones and other transceiver units. The satellite network owned by Iridium Communications is unique in its own manner as it is able to provide coverage anywhere on Earth, including oceans, airways and poles. 

SpaceX rockets have been launching these satellites in batches of 10 except for one flight that launched 5 satellites. The latest launch will be carried out in 10 minutes after which the company plans to touch down the Falcon 9 rocket on a drone ship in the middle of the ocean. 

Previously a Falcon 9 rocket that was supposed to land back was botched. The rocket was intended to land on a concrete pad on the Florida coast but instead, it ended up in the ocean. According to the live stream provided by the company, the Falcon 9 has indeed launched the Iridium Satellites and successfully landed unharmed. This landing marks the 33rd successful landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket core.

Meanwhile Checkout the Falcon9 Landing on a Ship