All posts tagged: satellite launch

SpaceX Successfully Launches 131 Satellites on Transporter 12 Mission

SpaceX Successfully Launches 131 Satellites on Transporter 12 Mission

Published by Webster

SpaceX launched 131 satellites into orbit during its Transporter 12 mission on 14 January 2025. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 2:09 p.m. EST. This mission added to the company’s rideshare programme, aimed at delivering payloads for multiple customers in a single launch. The first stage booster of the Falcon 9 executed a successful ground landing at Vandenberg’s Landing Zone 4 approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff. Key Details of Transporter 12 According to a report by space.com, Transporter 12 is the 12th mission in SpaceX’s Transporter series, designed to carry multiple payloads for commercial and government clients. 37 of the satellites on board were from Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based company specialising in Earth observation. These included 36 “SuperDove” cubesats and a single Pelican-2 satellite, designed for high-resolution imaging and equipped with advanced AI-powered solutions to analyse data in near real-time. The mission marked the second flight for this specific Falcon 9 booster, which had previously been used for the NROL-126 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. …

China Unveils 3M Spaceport with Successful Long March-12 Rocket Launch

China Unveils $553M Spaceport with Successful Long March-12 Rocket Launch

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China has reportedly launched its latest Long March-12 rocket from the newly established Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, marking a significant milestone in its commercial space ambitions. The launch occurred on November 30, 2024, propelling two experimental satellites into orbit. The 62.6-metre rocket is designed to support a growing surge in commercial satellite deployments, as reported by Chinese state media. Key Features of Long March-12 As per a report by China state media, the two-stage Long March-12 rocket uses advanced kerosene and liquid hydrogen fuels, replacing older hypergolic propellants. According to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the vehicle can transport 10 tons to low-Earth orbit or six tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers. In an interview with China Daily, Xie Li, Senior Designer of Long March-12, explained that the rocket is equipped with an automatic ignition-malfunction detection system, which ensures safer launches by performing real-time checks and calculating alternative trajectories in case of anomalies. With a diameter of 3.8 metres, the rocket’s design accommodates four engines for greater fuel storage and payload …

ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C59 Carrying ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites

ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C59 Carrying ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites

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ISRO’s PSLV-C59 mission, carrying the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites, was successfully launched on December 5, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch, initially delayed by a day due to an anomaly, occurred at 4:04 PM IST. The mission’s objectives, including deploying the satellites into their designated orbit, were achieved with precision, according to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. Mission Objectives and Achievements The Proba-3 mission is a part of ESA’s in-orbit demonstration initiatives. It comprises two spacecraft designed to perform precise formation flying, achieving control down to a single millimeter. Details shared by ESA reveal that the satellites will create artificial solar eclipses in orbit, enabling extended studies of the Sun’s corona. Shortly after separation, the Yatharagga ground station in Australia confirmed receiving signals from the satellites, a per several reports. Telemetry data is being processed at ESA’s mission control center in Redu, Belgium. Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, described the successful liftoff as a significant step for the mission’s objectives, in a statement.. Operational Plans for Proba-3 The satellites, stacked …

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 24 Starlink Satellites to Expand Internet Network

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 24 Starlink Satellites to Expand Internet Network

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A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites was launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on November 30, 2024, at 12:00am EST (10:30am IST). According to a report, this marked the latest addition to the company’s growing Starlink constellation, designed to provide global internet coverage. Satellite Deployment and Low-Earth Orbit Expansion As confirmed by SpaceX’s official updates, the rocket’s first stage completed its return to Earth approximately eight minutes after liftoff, landing securely on the droneship Just Read the Instructions, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The booster, identified as B1083, had previously completed five missions, including Crew-8 and Polaris Dawn. Its latest mission brought the number of Starlink launches for this particular booster to three. The upper stage of the Falcon 9 continued its mission by deploying the 24 satellites into their designated orbits approximately 65 minutes after launch, as per sources. Reports indicated that this deployment contributed to the Starlink megaconstellation, which has become the largest satellite network currently in operation. The system is intended to enhance global internet …

Russia Successfully Launches 53 Satellites into Target Orbit

Russia Successfully Launches 53 Satellites into Target Orbit

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Russia successfully launched a record-setting 53 satellites into space on November 4, 2024, achieving a major milestone in satellite deployment. This launch, managed by the Russian space agency Roscosmos, included a combination of domestic and international satellites. A Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat upper stage was used for the mission, lifting off from the Vostochny spaceport in Russia’s Far East at 6:18 pm EST on November 4 (2318 GMT, or 2:18 am IST on November 5). According to Roscosmos, all 53 satellites reached their designated orbits successfully. International Collaborations in Satellite Deployment As per the latest report by Russian News Agency, this satellite deployment involved several international partnerships. Among the payload were 49 Russian satellites, along with one joint Russian-Chinese and one Russian-Zimbabwean satellite. Notably, two satellites from Iran were also onboard: the Kowsar imaging satellite, which is designed for high-resolution imagery, and the Hodhod satellite, focused on communications. According to TASS, the launch of 51 domestic satellites broke a national record, underlining Russia’s evolving role in global satellite launches. While significant, this launch does …

SpaceX to Launch 20 Starlink Satellites from California on November 9

SpaceX to Launch 20 Starlink Satellites from California on November 9

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SpaceX is set to launch another 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on November 9. The launch, scheduled for 1:16 a.m. Eastern Time, involves a Falcon 9 rocket which will carry these satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO), where they will join the ever-growing Starlink network. It is reported that out of 20 satellites, 13 of these are expected to be equipped with direct-to-cell technology, a feature designed to enhance connectivity capabilities for mobile users on the ground. The launch window will remain open for four hours, providing a margin for adjustments if necessary. SpaceX plans to stream the event live on its X platform, starting around five minutes before liftoff. Landing Planned for Reusable Falcon 9 Booster As per the official information available from SpaceX, if all goes as planned, the Falcon 9’s first stage will perform a controlled descent, landing on SpaceX’s droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This will be the 11th flight for this particular booster, highlighting SpaceX’s ongoing efforts in cost-saving …