SpaceX has achieved its 300th successful flight with the Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone 14 years after its first launch. The concept of the rocket returning to the base, landing, and being reused continues to amaze me.
The historic Tuesday mission was initiated from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending the HTS-113 communications satellite into orbit as part of the Merah Putih 2 mission for the Indonesian state-owned company Telkomsat.
Falcon 9 has completed 300 successful flights.
Falcon 9 successfully completed its 300th mission by launching the HTS-113BT communications satellite from the Kennedy Space Center.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/JdOTFjkLjA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 20, 2024
Liftoff has occurred! pic.twitter.com/JdOTFjkLjA
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the first stage’s propulsor returned to Earth and made a precise landing on a barge in the sea close to the Florida shoreline. SpaceX then placed the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit around half an hour following the launch.
Falcon 9 has landed on the Just Read the Instructions Droneship, completing this booster’s 17th launch and landing pic.twitter.com/q4Jwvo7dRA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 20, 2024
Falcon 9 successfully landed on the Just Read the Instructions Droneship after completing its 17th launch and landing.
Rocket reuse
The 17th launch of the Falcon 9 first stage propulsor for this mission was a significant achievement, showcasing the success of SpaceX’s reusable rocket system in lowering space travel expenses and expanding space accessibility for various entities.
The Tuesday mission marked SpaceX’s 16th launch in 2024, suggesting that this year will be the company’s most hectic yet.
