SpaceX recently completed a significant rideshare mission, launching 116 payloads from nine different companies aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, called Transporter-11, took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Among the diverse payloads were satellites from the European Space Agency, UK-based Surrey Satellites, Japan’s iQPS, and the U.S.-based Planet Labs. SpaceX plans to confirm the successful deployment of these payloads in the near future.
The Transporter-11 mission marks SpaceX’s 80th launch of the year, demonstrating the company’s high launch frequency. A substantial portion of the payloads, over 70%, will be added to SpaceX’s Starlink communications network, expanding its global satellite internet coverage. This rideshare model allows various customers to send small satellites to space, enhancing global collaboration in the space industry.
SpaceX Completes Transporter-11 Mission, Deploying 116 Payloads as NASA Faces Starliner ChallengesIn a separate development, NASA is assessing the situation with its astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) following issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.
NASA is debating whether to keep astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the ISS until next year and return the Boeing capsule to Earth unmanned. This decision is in response to thruster failures and helium leaks that occurred during Starliner’s test mission, causing concerns about its safe return.
The two astronauts were originally expected to stay in space for only a short time, but the mechanical problems have extended their mission. NASA is now carefully analyzing data before deciding on the safest course of action. The thrusters that malfunctioned are essential for controlling the Starliner’s descent from orbit, making the situation critical.
NASA officials, led by Ken Bowersox, have expressed the importance of taking time to thoroughly review the data before making a final decision. They plan to determine whether to bring Starliner back or keep the astronauts aboard SpaceX’s next flight by early next week. NASA remains focused on ensuring the safety of the astronauts while carefully evaluating Starliner’s performance in this test mission.