On December 21, SpaceX successfully launched 30 satellites, marking the second mission in its dedicated rideshare series targeting mid-inclination orbits.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at precisely 6:34 a.m. Eastern Time, embarking on the Bandwagon-2 mission. This mission saw the Falcon 9’s first stage achieve its 21st flight, concluding with a landing back at the launch site, a mere 8 minutes and 15 seconds post-liftoff. Meanwhile, the second stage completed its burn, advancing the mission’s successive phases.
Although SpaceX did not disclose specifics about the individual deployments of the 30 payloads aboard, numerous clients subsequently confirmed the successful activation of their satellites. Notably, the foremost payload was the third reconnaissance satellite of the ‘425 Project’ commissioned by the South Korean military. This launch follows the previous release of the first satellite in December of the prior year and a second in April during the Bandwagon-1 mission.
Additional participants in this rideshare endeavor included HawkEye 360, which introduced three Cluster 11 satellites dedicated to radio-frequency intelligence. These satellites boast enhanced payload capabilities for data collection and improved transmitters to communicate with ground stations. Meanwhile, Iceye, the Finnish enterprise, deployed two synthetic aperture radar satellites proficient in delivering radar imagery with resolutions reaching up to 25 centimeters. Iceye’s cumulative launches now total 40 satellites, with nine undertaken this year alone.
The Bandwagon-2 mission also featured contributions from enterprises like Sidus Space, Tomorrow.io, True Anomaly, and Think Orbital. Rideshare aggregators played pivotal roles in accommodating these participants, with Exolaunch facilitating 22 of the mission’s payloads.
SpaceX initiated the Bandwagon series of mid-inclination rideshare missions in 2023, building upon the existing Transporter series, which serves sun-synchronous orbits. The Bandwagon missions address a high demand for mid-inclination orbits. SpaceX has outlined plans for two Bandwagon missions annually for 2024 and 2025.
The Falcon 9’s launch marked SpaceX’s 130th in 2024, surpassing the 96 launches achieved in 2023. Although the firm initially aimed for 148 launches in 2024, it anticipates closing the year with 136, as per comments from Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President and COO. The target arose from the company’s strategic efforts to deter conservative tendencies and prioritize innovation. Shotwell remarked on SpaceX’s perseverance in maximizing the launch rate while highlighting the relentless dedication of the Falcon team in achieving this feat.
Shotwell further indicated that SpaceX would seek to elevate these targets for 2025, aspiring to reach between 175 and 180 launches. Notably, one method of enhancing the launch frequency involves streamlining droneships’ turnaround times, significantly reducing port durations to mere hours.
SpaceX’s recent rideshare mission is a testament to its ongoing commitment to increasing launch capabilities and setting ambitious targets. By pushing the boundaries of what is achievable, the company continues to play a significant role in the advancement of space exploration and utilization.
Source: Spacenews
