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On Monday, SpaceX successfully launched a rocket carrying 64 small satellites. While this doesn't top the 104-satellite record set by an Indian rocket last year, it did set the record for the highest number of satellites ever launched by a U.S. rocket. It was also SpaceX's 19th launch this year, breaking their previous yearly launch record. SpaceX's next launch was actually scheduled for today, but was delayed by a day "to allow time for ground teams to replace moldy food bars meant for 40 mice heading for the International Space Station." Still, barring any further delays, Wednesday's launch will represent SpaceX's quickest turnaround time between Falcon 9 missions, at just under 48 hours.
Check out a video of Monday's launch here.
The fairing catch attempt Monday was the first in more than four months by SpaceX, but Mr. Steven missed the fairing halves, despite the installation of a bigger net earlier this year, and several apparent practice runs in recent weeks using test hardware dropped from a helicopter. Musk tweeted after Monday's launch that the fairing halves will be retrieved from the sea, dried and used again. But it's not clear how easy it will be to refurbish fairings after dropping into salt water. The method of catching the fairings using a net was intended to keep the shrouds away from the corrosive effects of sea water, a problem that lengthens the time needed for SpaceX to refurbish Dragon cargo capsules for reuse after splashing down in the ocean.
Check out a video of Monday's launch here.
The fairing catch attempt Monday was the first in more than four months by SpaceX, but Mr. Steven missed the fairing halves, despite the installation of a bigger net earlier this year, and several apparent practice runs in recent weeks using test hardware dropped from a helicopter. Musk tweeted after Monday's launch that the fairing halves will be retrieved from the sea, dried and used again. But it's not clear how easy it will be to refurbish fairings after dropping into salt water. The method of catching the fairings using a net was intended to keep the shrouds away from the corrosive effects of sea water, a problem that lengthens the time needed for SpaceX to refurbish Dragon cargo capsules for reuse after splashing down in the ocean.