Satellite Internet

Spaceflight Now reported on September 13 that SpaceX completed the 700th launch of its Falcon rocket family in the early hours of the day from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, sending the final three O3b mPOWER medium-Earth-orbit satellites for Luxembourg-based operator SES into orbit, formally closing out the multi-year medium-Earth-orbit satellite internet upgrade program. The Falcon family has crossed from maiden flight to 700 missions in just over a decade, averaging more than 60 launches per year and becoming the most frequently launched and most reusable rocket series in commercial spaceflight. The success not only cements SpaceX’s lead in the reusable launch and commercial launch services markets, but also gives SES a fully upgraded capability to deliver differentiated services to government, maritime, aviation and telecom operator customers around the world.

Europe’s Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket launched from French Guiana, deploying 32 Amazon Project Kuiper low-Earth orbit satellites, marking another milestone in European commercial spaceflight capabilities.

United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket successfully launched 29 Amazon Project Leo broadband internet satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, setting a record for the heaviest payload ever flown on the rocket.