SpaceX will release a new Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral, this time it will put 60 Starlink communications satellites into orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket used for this mission has an unusual place. Its first stage No. 1051 has been recycled and used seven times. This is the eighth flight.
According to SpaceX’s arrangement, the first stage of the rocket will be reused 10 times before the end of this year.
The last time this first-class flew was on December 13 last year, that is, only 38 days have passed. The shortest time before SpaceX recovered the rocket after it was used again was 51 days.
Obviously, behind this is not only the guarantee of the improvement of technical strength but also shows that SpaceX’s rocket launch cost has dropped again.
Back to Starlink, after this mission, the number of Starlink satellites will exceed 1,000. Of course, some of them have derailed or failed and are no longer in service.
(Source)