SpaceX has made history again, this time by accomplishing its 100th orbital launch of the year, quite the feat for the private space company founded by Elon Musk. On October 19, at 10:13 p.m. PDT, the Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying the final batch of OneWeb's first-generation satellites.
The mission, coined OneWeb Launch #20, was significant not only for its operational success but also marked the culmination of OneWeb's struggles to build its satellite internet constellation. This launch launched 20 satellites, raising OneWeb's total to 634 satellites, covering their target number, originally set higher at 648.
CEO Eva Berneke highlighted the importance of this mission by stating, "This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger," referring to the recent merger between the European telecom company and OneWeb's prior ownership, which included the UK government and Bharti Global.
Just two days prior, on October 17, SpaceX also successfully launched 20 Starlink satellites aboard another Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This launch was pivotal, adding to the extensive Starlink constellation, which includes over 7,100 satellites, making it the largest commercial satellite network globally. This growing network continues to provide internet access to rural and underserved areas around the world, representing SpaceX’s aggressive push for global internet coverage.
SpaceX's momentum this year has been remarkable, as it aims to set new records. Currently, they are on track to surpass their previous year’s total of 72 launches from Florida alone, already achieving 71 missions this year just from the region. The Falcon 9 rocket used for this latest mission, identified as booster tail number B1082, successfully landed back at Vandenberg for the seventh time—further showcasing SpaceX's commitment to reusability with its rockets.
The total number of Falcon 9 missions has reached 97 this year, with SpaceX planning to maintain its pace, anticipating its 100th launch shortly. Despite some delays earlier this year due to weather and technical issues, SpaceX's operational capacity remains fluid. CEO Elon Musk has previously remarked on their goal of achieving up to 144 launches but acknowledged the challenges faced.
Meanwhile, SpaceX is not just focusing on satellite launches. The company is also making strides with its Starship program, which aims for missions to Mars. Recently, SpaceX successfully captured its Super Heavy booster mid-air using innovative mechanical arms dubbed 'Mechazilla'. This marks another milestone for the company as it strives for more efficient reusability.
SpaceX has also expanded its satellite network through partnerships with companies like Eutelsat, forming the Eutelsat Group by combining their satellites, both low Earth orbit and geostationary. This means enhanced bandwidth and flexibility, tapping more effectively on different kinds of technology, including their Gen 2 constellation planned for the future.
OneWeb’s ambitious plans were initially grounded when they had to seek multiple providers, including launching their early satellites on Soyuz rockets. The company’s troubles stemmed from bankruptcy and global events, such as the conflict arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which halted operations with their primary launch provider.
Emerging from these setbacks, OneWeb pivoted to rely on SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the remaining launches to complete their constellation. After those significant hurdles, this recent achievement with SpaceX showcases resilience, pushing forward to meet the demand for global internet access.
Both SpaceX and OneWeb's efforts exemplify the momentum of the private sector within the space industry. With over 98 Falcon 9 rockets launched so far this year and the ambitious lead-up to what could become the largest satellite internet network globally, the stakes are repeatedly on the rise. Stakeholders and enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting upcoming missions, and with the current record-setting pace, the future of satellite communications appears brighter than ever.
Looking at the competitive edge of SpaceX, it clearly dominates the space launch industry, with its ingenuity coupled with innovative technology pointing toward even more significant developments on the horizon. The drive for achieving space missions rarely has shown such promise, and as SpaceX approaches new milestones, global connectivity may soon be facilitated through the very satellites it has been launching with such regularity.
