Current:Home > FinanceSpaceX launches powerful Indonesian communications satellite in 16th flight this year -FundSphere
SpaceX launches powerful Indonesian communications satellite in 16th flight this year
View
Date:2025-04-27 12:55:19
SpaceX launched its 16th Falcon 9 rocket so far this year Tuesday, putting a powerful Indonesian communications satellite into orbit.
Using a first stage making its 17th flight, the Falcon 9 blasted off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 3:11 p.m. EST.
The first stage boosted the rocket out of the thick lower atmosphere and fell away, flying itself to a successful touchdown on an off-shore landing barge eight-and-a-half minutes after launch. The second stage continued the climb to space, releasing the Merah Putih 2 satellite to fly on its own 25 minutes later.
Operated by the state-owned Telkomsat, the $240 million Merah Putih satellite — the name means "red and white" in reference to Indonesia's flag — was built by Thales Alenia Space. It is designed to provide data rates of up to 32 gigabytes per second using C-band and Ku-band transponders covering all of Indonesia.
The satellite, with a design life of 15 years, is the second Telkomsat data relay station launched by SpaceX.
Tuesday's flight marked the 16th Falcon 9 launch so far this year for SpaceX and the 301st since the rocket's debut in 2010. The company has now carried out 275 successful first stage recoveries, the last 201 in a row. SpaceX expects to launch more than 140 rockets this year if the hardware and weather cooperate.
In the near term, the company is expected to launch two more Starlink flights between now and the end of the month, boosting the total number of broadband data relay stations launched to date to nearly 5,900.
That will set the stage for launch of three NASA astronauts and a Russian — Crew-8 — to the International Space Station on March 1. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule "Endeavour" will be making its fifth flight, a new record for SpaceX's fleet of ferry ships.
Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin will replace Crew-7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. They were launched to the outpost last August.
Moghbeli and her crewmates plan to return to Earth around March 8, clearing the way for launch of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan carrying veteran cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Belarus guest flier Marina Vasilevskaya and NASA veteran Tracy Dyson.
Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2, along with NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara. They'll use the Soyuz MS-24/70S spacecraft that carried O'Hara, Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub to the station last September.
Kononenko and Chub are spending a full year in space and will return to Earth with Dyson in September aboard the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft delivered by Novitskiy.
- In:
- International Space Station
- Elon Musk
- NASA
- SpaceX
Bill Harwood has been covering the U.S. space program full-time since 1984, first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and now as a consultant for CBS News.
TwitterveryGood! (87583)
Related
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Champions League final highlights: Real Madrid beats Dortmund to win 15th European crown
- What is the keto diet? Experts break down the popular weight loss diet.
- Tribal police officer among 2 killed, 4 wounded by gunfire at Phoenix-area home
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Retired Navy admiral arrested in bribery case linked to government contract
- Jennifer Lopez cancels 2024 tour This Is Me: 'Completely heartsick and devastated'
- Helicopter crashes in a field in New Hampshire, officials say
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Retired Navy admiral arrested in bribery case linked to government contract
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Champions League final: Real Madrid’s European kings are so good, Ancelotti wants them to be studied
- Run, Don’t Walk to J. Crew Factory’s Swim & Short Sale With Cute One Pieces, Bikinis & More up to 60% Off
- U.S. to make millions of bird flu vaccine doses this summer, as cases grow
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- U.S. gymnastics must find a way to make the puzzle pieces fit to build Olympic team
- Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever edge Angel Reese and Chicago Sky for first home win, 71-70
- The Truth About Marilyn Monroe's Final Hours and More Devastating Details in The Unheard Tapes
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Annapolis Pride Parade taking new route with 'Project Runway' winner Christian Siriano at head
Edmonton Oilers one win away from Stanley Cup Final. How they pushed Dallas Stars to brink
TikTok Dads Terrell and Jarius Joseph Want to Remind You Families Come in All Shapes and Sizes
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Retired 4-star Navy admiral allegedly awarded government contract in exchange for job
Three Maryland family members fatally shot, another wounded, suspect takes own life, police say
The northern lights could appear over parts of US Friday night: Where to watch for auroras