SpaceX has shattered NASA's record for the most Falcon 9 launches in a single year, with over 135 flights. The rocket manufacturer has been pushing its launch frequency to unprecedented levels, breaking records for pad turnaround times at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
In other space news, Skyroot Aerospace is preparing to launch its first commercial satellite into orbit, with plans to do so every three months next year and one every month from 2027. The Hyderabad-based company has been working on a new rocket design since 2022 and aims to generate nearly $5 million per mission.
India's space agency chairman V. Narayanan has set a goal of launching 50 missions annually by the end of this decade, a significant increase from the current pace of around five launches per year. The country currently operates two active launch sites but plans to build new facilities in the coming years.
China is also gearing up for its first lunar mission with the Long March 10 rocket and crew spacecraft set to take flight next year. The Mengzhou crew spacecraft will likely fly on a variant of the Long March 10, which was used for low Earth orbit missions, and is expected to be crewed.
Meanwhile, NASA is working to keep its Artemis II mission on schedule despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, with employees at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida remaining at work to ensure the launch date remains unaffected.
Here's a look ahead at the next three launches:
* October 31: Long March 2 | Shenzhou 21 crewed flight | Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
* October 31: Falcon 9 | Starlink 11-23 | Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
* November 2: Falcon 9 | Bandwagon-4 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
In other space news, Skyroot Aerospace is preparing to launch its first commercial satellite into orbit, with plans to do so every three months next year and one every month from 2027. The Hyderabad-based company has been working on a new rocket design since 2022 and aims to generate nearly $5 million per mission.
India's space agency chairman V. Narayanan has set a goal of launching 50 missions annually by the end of this decade, a significant increase from the current pace of around five launches per year. The country currently operates two active launch sites but plans to build new facilities in the coming years.
China is also gearing up for its first lunar mission with the Long March 10 rocket and crew spacecraft set to take flight next year. The Mengzhou crew spacecraft will likely fly on a variant of the Long March 10, which was used for low Earth orbit missions, and is expected to be crewed.
Meanwhile, NASA is working to keep its Artemis II mission on schedule despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, with employees at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida remaining at work to ensure the launch date remains unaffected.
Here's a look ahead at the next three launches:
* October 31: Long March 2 | Shenzhou 21 crewed flight | Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
* October 31: Falcon 9 | Starlink 11-23 | Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
* November 2: Falcon 9 | Bandwagon-4 | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
I think its awesome to see the space industry pushing boundaries & trying new things! SpaceX is def on fire 
with those record-breaking launches 
. But I'm also hyped for Skyroot Aerospace - who wouldn't want to launch a commercial satellite every 3 months? That's some next-level frequency right there! 
And it's great to see India & China joining the party too! V. Narayanan's goal of launching 50 missions annually is ambitious, but I'm sure they'll crush it 
. The more launches, the merrier, I say! Now, let's hope NASA can keep Artemis II on track 
, I wonder what kind of advancements we'll see in crewed space travel from them. The NASA Artemis II mission is still on schedule despite the shutdown, kudos to those employees who are keeping it going 
. Can't wait to see what's next for these launches!
my friend's cousin works at nasa and they're super excited for the artemis ii mission... anyway, have u ever tried making your own rocket out of cardboard tubes? its way more fun than watching launch vids 
. The prospect of launching new satellites every few months is going to revolutionize the way we access global connectivity 
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. We're talking thousands of rocket launches over the next decade, which will only add to the growing space debris problem in Earth's orbit 
. Not to mention the costs – $5 million per mission is staggering 
I'm loving the pace of space exploration right now! SpaceX is pushing the limits and making it look easy 
. India's ambitious goal of 50 missions a year is going to be huge, not to mention China's lunar mission next year 
they're aiming for $5 million per mission which is insane 
Over 135 Falcon 9 launches in one year? That's just crazy! And what's with SpaceX pushing the limits so much? They must be making a killing, but what about the safety risks? I mean, have you seen those rocket pads turning around in like days? It's almost too fast... 
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that's wild. but idk if india can really sustain something like that for 50 missions a year 
fingers crossed everything stays on track for that one