Rideshare rocket launches 143 satellites

Elon Musk’s SpaceX SmallSat Rideshare Program has set a record by launching 143 satellites into orbit in a single rocket mission


Payload being readied for launch

133 spacecraft, including CubeSats and microsats

10 Starlink satellites

First stage

Nine Merlin engines power first stage

Second stage

Fairing
Separates in space

TRANSPORTER-1 MISSION

1 Jan 24, 10.00 EST: Lift-off

Ascent

Separation

2 +3mins: Fairing opens

Flip manoeuvre

Re-entry burn

3 +10mins: First stage lands on recovery droneship

4 +60-90mins: Satellites deploy

There are around 3,000 active satellites orbiting Earth


SpaceX did not release detailed manifest of payload, so purpose of some satellites is unclear. With spacecraft as small as shoe boxes on board, some will be hard to track, adding to concerns of collisions in space


Sources: SpaceX, Forbes, Reuters 
Picture: SpaceX 
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