Each satellite in the new Iridium network carries equipment for Aireon LLC. (Image: Reuters)Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp kicked off what promises to be a busy 2019 by launching a rocket carrying satellites into orbit for long-time customer Iridium Communications Inc.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:31 am on Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California’s central coast, with 10 Iridium NEXT satellites. SpaceX began releasing them into orbit about an hour later at an altitude of about 390 miles and completed deployment in 15 minutes. They are the last of 75 satellites to replace the existing Iridium network for business communications. SpaceX landed the first stage of the rocket on an unmanned ship in the Pacific Ocean.
Each satellite on the new Iridium network carries equipment for Aireon LLC, which says its space-based service will provide uninterrupted airline flight coverage globally. Virginia-based Aireon, which is owned by a consortium that includes Iridium and various air traffic control services, plans to begin operational testing this spring for North Atlantic flights.
Race in space
SpaceX set a company record last year with 21 launches for customers, including commercial satellite operators and the US military.But much of this year’s focus will be the race to see whether SpaceX or Boeing Co are the first. in putting humans in space for NASA and bringing them back safely.
The two companies have contracts with NASA to transfer American astronauts to the International Space Station under the agency’s commercial crew program. But the timeline for the first few flights has slipped several times.
Also read: Musk’s SpaceX and NASA target in February for key demo-1 flight
NASA said this week that SpaceX’s first unmanned demonstration flight, known as Demo-1, will occur “not before February.”
Starship
SpaceX currently flies the Falcon 9 rocket and demonstrated its largest Falcon Heavy rocket last February. But the company is also working on a new launch vehicle called the Starship, with plans to test suborbital vertical take-off and landing tests at the company’s South Texas facility in the coming weeks.
SpaceX’s valuation has risen as successful missions have accumulated, alongside companies like Airbnb Inc, which are among the most valuable business-backed companies in the United States.
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Last week, SpaceX revealed in a filing that it had sold $ 273 million in equity as part of plans to raise a total of $ 500 million in a securities offering. The Wall Street Journal reported in December that the rocket company was raising funds at a valuation of $ 30.5 billion.
