Key Takeaways:
- Rapid Turnaround: SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets from Florida’s Space Coast within a span of just three hours and 35 minutes.
- Second Fastest: This marks the company’s second-fastest turnaround time between two launches from Cape Canaveral.
- Veteran Booster: One mission utilized a Falcon 9 first stage (B1078) for its 24th successful flight and landing.
- Payload Deployed: Both missions successfully delivered a combined total of 58 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit.
In a powerful display of operational efficiency, SpaceX lit up the Florida sky twice in one night, launching a pair of Falcon 9 rockets just three hours and 35 minutes apart. This impressive feat represents the second-shortest interval between launches from the company’s Cape Canaveral pads.
A Busy Night on the Space Coast
The back-to-back missions began with the Starlink 6-89 flight, which lifted off from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 10:08 p.m. EST. Following closely behind, the Starlink 6-85 mission launched from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:44 a.m. EST.
The 45th Weather Squadron had forecast a greater than 95 percent chance of favorable weather for both launches, ensuring near-perfect conditions for the rapid-fire spectacle.
Veteran Booster Flies for a 24th Time
The second launch, Starlink 6-85, was carried to orbit by a seasoned Falcon 9 booster, tail number B1078. This marked the 24th mission for the reusable first stage, which has previously supported high-profile flights including NASA’s Crew-6 astronaut mission, USSF-124, and AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 1-5.
Following stage separation, the booster performed a flawless autonomous landing on the drone ship ‘Just Read the Instructions,’ which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This successful recovery keeps the veteran booster ready for future flights.
Expanding the Starlink Constellation
Each of the two missions carried 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, adding to SpaceX’s ever-growing internet constellation. With these launches, the total number of Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit is approaching 9,000. The company continues to expand its global satellite internet service through its aggressive and record-setting launch cadence.