SpaceX launches last mission of 2024

SpaceX began their count down to the New Year with the launch of the first of three rockets planned to end the year 2024.

From Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 of the company’s satellites lifted off. The mission was launched at 8:48pm from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), reported Space.com.

As to plan, about 65 minutes later, the satellites were on track to be deployed into low Earth orbit.

With two still scheduled over the next, it was SpaceX’s 132nd Falcon launch this year.

The two launches include a commercial communications satellites mission and another batch of Starlink satellites.

“We’re now targeting 134 launches — two shy of our last goal — to finish 2024 strong," wrote Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s vice president of launch.

The vice president added: “Here’s to an awesome last couple of days in 2024 and an even better 2025!”

About eight minutes after liftoff, Saturday’s Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth safely, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.

According to a company mission description, it was the 16th landing for this particular booster. Moreover, twelve of its 16 flights to date have been Starlink missions.

With just one failing due to an upper stage liquid oxygen leak, it was SpaceX’s 88th launch this year of Starlink broadband internet satellites.

“Ultimately, there is only one number that truly matters. ZERO failures. Our priority is – and will remain – safety and reliability above all else,” wrote Dontchev.

According to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the Starlink megaconstellation, which is the biggest ever assembled, currently consists of nearly 6,700 active spacecraft.