It was a busy weekend for SpaceX, as the private space company launched three of its Falcon 9 rockets into orbit over the course of three days. SpaceX’s final launch may have been a secret government payload as well as a backup satellite launch for low Earth orbit operator Globalstar.
Back to back is launched Launched Friday from Launch Complex 39A of the Kennedy Space Center, carrying a Falcon 9 rocket 53 starlsatellite ink into orbit as part of the company’s growing broadband internet build. The first stage of the booster rocket set a new record for SpaceX, marking the thirteenth flight and landing of the reusable booster.
The next day, Falcon 9 from SpaceX Launched Radar imaging satellite for the German army. SaRah-1, built by Airbus, was launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to replace the current SAR-Lupe system. The satellite is designed to provide images of the Earth’s surface at any time of the day, regardless of weather conditions.
On Sunday, SpaceX came to an end release from the weekend. Its third Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The company has identified one payload on the rocket, Globalstar FM15, a backup satellite for the phone and low-speed data communications company Globalstar.
However, many reports indicate that this single satellite was not the only one that reached low Earth orbit. Those who monitor the launch and deployment of the Globalstar payload note that the missile had three unusual burns and real estate On board the self-driving unmanned spaceship, which is used when the missile is carrying heavier payloads, even though the Globalstar payload was light enough to land back on the launch pad, According to SpaceNews.
In addition, SpaceX has provided a file video than deployed the payload into orbit, showing that it was deployed approximately two hours after liftoff. The video showed what might be a file payload adapter In the missile’s second stage, indicating that the missile may have deployed another payload after its first burn. Mysterious circumstances gave credence to Rumors Which suggests that SpaceX launched a secret US government payload. SpaceX did not confirm the second payload and did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment.
SpaceX’s launch on Sunday was the 26th launch of SpaceX in 2022, and the company plans to increase its size for the rest of the year. after, after Pass an Environmental Assessment by the Federal Aviation Administration To expand a proposed site in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Starship’s heavy rocket will be ready for its first orbital launch in July. Musk hopes Starship will carry over the company’s next generation StarlSatellites are in orbit, which has some astronomers worried about their potential Interfering with the observations of the universe. SpaceX has also recently done Several employees have been fired due to criticism of Musk’s behavior.