Third Successful Launch And Landing Of Reused SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

Anita - Dec 04, 2018

SpaceX completed an unprecedented launch while putting a U.S record 64 satellites in orbit at once and using the same booster for the third time.

Many years ago, big boosters of rockets were not reused for the next flying and landing. However, Elon Musk has made history again when his reused single rocket booster has successfully pushed a payload into space for the third time and safely returned to Earth.

Falcon 9 launched to orbit for the third time this year

At 10:34 AM PT Monday, California, Vandenberg Air Force Base witnessed the launch of the Block 5 Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX. After seven minutes, the first stage touched down on the drone ship of the company which is named Just Read, the drone-ship is located in the Pacific Ocean.

Block 5 is the latest version of the Falcon 9, which SpaceX designed for up to 100 flies. It made the first launch in May 2018, then the second one in August and this is the third time. With reusable rockets, Elon Musk aims to slash the cost of spaceflights, and at the same time allow quicker launches into space.

This rocket carried a record total of small satellites for a rocket from the US. Specifically, 64 satellites including smallsats and cubesats which represent 17 countries as well as 34 different entities flew in the sky. Spaceflight Industries put together this rideshare, buying all the room on the SpaceX's rocket and then reselling it for a mission called SSO-A SmallSat Express.

At the seventh minute from the blastoff, the Falcon 9 let go of its lower half, stained with soot, which then perfectly landed on the drone ship in the Pacific.

Musk said on Twitter, after the successful launch:

However, Space X will check whether this landing on the sea has negative effects on the used parts or not, according to a SpaceX spokesperson on a call with reporters later.