Sun Oct 20 05:10:00 UTC 2024: **Summary of News Article:**
– **Record Launches:** SpaceX achieved its 97th Falcon mission on October 15, 2023, surpassing its previous record of 96 launches for the year with over two months left.
– **Future Targets:** The company aims for 144 Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches in 2024, averaging 12 per month, with a need for systems capable of 13 launches monthly to accommodate possible delays.
– **Recent Missions:** SpaceX completed two Starlink deployment missions just over two hours apart from Florida and California. They also plan to launch the final batch of OneWeb’s first-generation broadband satellites later this month, though the date is not yet set.
– **Starship Testing:** The 2023 launch tally does not include three Starship-Super Heavy flight tests, the latest being on October 13. This test successfully returned the Super Heavy booster for a midair catch, indicating potential for faster FAA approvals for future flights.
– **Blue Origin Updates:** Blue Origin is preparing for the debut of its New Glenn rocket by year-end after a recent hot-fire test. They are also set to test a new suborbital New Shepard vehicle, following scrubs due to technical issues.
– **Crew-8 Mission Delay:** The return of SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts from the International Space Station is postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions at splashdown sites off Florida.
– **Author’s Credentials:** The article is authored by Irene Klotz, a Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week with extensive experience in space reporting.
First Piper 