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SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket simply struck the century mark for the year.
A Falcon 9 introduced a set of next-gen spy satellites for the United State National Reconnaissance Workplace (NRO) today (Oct. 24) from The golden state’s Vandenberg Space Force Base at 1:13 p.m. EDT (1713 GMT; 10:13 a.m. neighborhood time).
The private goal, called NROL-167, was the 100th Falcon 9 liftoff of 2024.
The Falcon 9’s initial stage returned to Planet concerning 8 mins after liftoff today as intended. It touched down on the SpaceX droneship Naturally I Still Love You, which was pointed in the Pacific Sea. The firm finished its launch webcast quickly after that, at the demand of the NRO.
It was the 21st launch and touchdown for this certain booster, according to a SpaceX mission description.
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NROL-167 was the 4th launch sustaining the NRO’s “multiplied style,” a constellation including “various, smaller sized satellites developed for ability and durability,”according to the agency We do not recognize much concerning these spacecraft or their tasks, which isn’t unusual; NRO satellites’ job has a tendency to be identified.
The very first 3 multiplied style objectives additionally flew on Falcon nines– NROL-146 in Might, NROL-186 in June and NROL-113 in September. (This very same Falcon 9 initial stage lofted NROL-113, according to SpaceX.)
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NROL-167 was SpaceX’s 105th rocket launch of 2024 total. Along with the Falcon 9 trips, the firm has actually introduced 2 Falcon Heavy objectives and 3 examination trips of its Starship megarocket.
One of the most current Falcon Heavy launch, on Oct. 14, sent out NASA’s Europa Clipper probe towards the Jupiter system. One of the most current Starship examination trip happened a day previously and included an unmatched catch of the automobile’s first-stage booster by the “chopstick” arms of the launch tower.
Every launch from right here on out will certainly contribute to SpaceX’s document overall for the year. The firm’s previous high mark was 98 liftoffs, embeded in 2023.
Editor’s note: This tale was upgraded at 1:35 p.m. ET on Oct. 24 with information of effective launch and rocket touchdown.