[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SpaceX completed a successful launch and land Friday of the Falcon 9 Block 5, the latest version of the company’s workhorse rocket.
The mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, was to deploy the first geostationary communications satellite for Bangladesh. All stages of the mission were successful, including the 25th successful first-stage booster landing for the company.
That particular first-stage booster could fly up to 10 more missions, which is the goal for the Block 5 version of the rocket. Reusability helps significantly reduce costs. The rocket also has improved electronics, guidance systems, and safeguards to protect the booster’s landing legs from fires in the engine.
The Block 5 is an important development for SpaceX, as the company plans for it to be the first of its rockets to carry astronauts to the International Space Station.
Watch the livestream of the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission below.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQEqKZ7CJlk” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]