According to Elon Musk, SpaceX has exceeded the previous year's rocket launch count, delivering 80% of all Earth payload mass to orbit for the year so far. He said China accounts for the other 10%.
On Sunday night, SpaceX launched 21 Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The mission was the 62nd of the year, setting a new record for the most flights in a year. The previous record was set in 2022 by the company.
Musk said, "Aiming for 10 Falcon flights in a month by the end of this year, then 12 per month next year."
He explained, based on the 2024 launch schedule, "SpaceX will deliver ~90% of all Earth payload to orbit," adding, "Starship will take that to >99% in future years."
Musk's latest predictions about SpaceX's rocket launch monopoly come as new aerial images show Starship is preparing for the second test flight (the first flight ended with a bang).
On Tuesday, X account RGV Aerial Photography posted a timelapse video of Starship, explaining, "Starship full stack!"
Musk said the world's largest rocket underwent a successful static fire in recent weeks. He said, "Getting ready for the next Starship flight."
RGV Aerial Photography posted a list of milestones Starship has completed and what still needs to be achieved ahead of the next launch (list courtesy of blog spacex.information):
Meanwhile, Musk has managed to infuriate Democrats as they weaponize government agencies, such as the DoJ and SEC, against him…
Is this how Dems see Musk?
… and a former Obama administration official recently declared: "The US government needs to end its relationship with Musk immediately."
Good luck with that one. Then no Starlinks for Ukraine.