SpaceX Completes Final Mission of 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SpaceX successfully launched Friday its 18th rocket of the year, a new record for a private space company. The previous record was 16 missions, achieved by United Launch Alliance in 2009.

A Falcon 9 booster lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying 10 communications satellites for the commercial Iridium Next constellation. The rocket was also used on a mission for Iridium in June.

Friday’s mission marks the fifth time SpaceX has re-used a Falcon 9. The company has also landed Falcon 9 boosters 20 times to date. Friday’s mission, however, did not include an attempt to land the rocket.

SpaceX also used a Dragon cargo capsule that previously delivered supplies to the International Space Station.

Friday’s launch was the final mission of 2017 for SpaceX. The company has several missions scheduled for January, including the first flight of the company’s Falcon Heavy rocket.

Watch the Iridium-4 webcast below.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtdjCwo6d3Q” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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