SpaceX performed two launches in one day using Falcon 9 rockets. At this point, the company set a new record for the shortest interval between launches. On Saturday, December 18, the organization launched the Türksat 5B mission, which carries a satellite into orbit late in the evening, from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX broadcast the launch live on its YouTube channel. He even managed to record the first stage of the rocket using one of his drone ships. The company also shared clips of the launch on its Twitter account, including the capture of the first stage of the rocket on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship and the deployment of the Türksat 5B satellite.
Türksat 5B will be in use for 15 years
Türksat 5B is a communications satellite operated by Türksat, used for both military and commercial purposes. It was placed in geostatic orbit after launch and is expected to be used for at least the next 15 years.
Türksat 5B came in addition to another Starlink launch by SpaceX on December 18. Launched early in the morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, this mission carried 52 new satellites to be added to the SpaceX Starlink constellation.
According to NASA Spaceflight, this short time between the two launches opened the door to a new record for SpaceX. Thus, the shortest time between two Falcon 9 launches was recorded as 15 hours and 17 minutes. The previous record of the company was 44 hours.
SpaceX will launch another Falcon 9 on December 21
Shortly before Christmas, these flights seem not enough for SpaceX. Because the company is launching another Falcon 9 for a resupply mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, December 21.
What do you think about the role of Türksat 5B communication satellite in SpaceX’s record breaking? Do not forget to express your ideas in the comments section.
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