The pandemic context has slowed the activities of many aerospace companies and agencies, but one of them has still managed to stand out:SpaceX. Indeed, the company has just broken its record for launches in one year thanks to the recovery of its boosters.
This Saturday, SpaceX successfully launched a new cargo mission to the International Space Station, marking the 21st such mission for the US space agency and its 24th launch of the year . The company has already beaten its previous record for annual launches (21 in 2018). And it's not over, since SpaceX plans to launch two or even three additional missions before the end of the year.
It is all the more remarkable that SpaceX broke its own record during the Covid-19 pandemic which, it will be recalled, interrupted the launch activities of many other agencies . The company's main competitors in the United States - Rocket Lab and United Launch Alliance - have so far only carried out six and five launches, respectively.
Note that while SpaceX broke its annual record, the Chinese National Space Administration remains the dominant agency today, with 35 launches to date (including four failures). For his part, Elon Musk is aiming for forty launches for 2021 .
SpaceX was able to achieve this increased launch rate thanks to its "Block 5" boosters - sort of "third generation" first stages of the Falcon 9 rocket.
These have been optimized for reuse, both in terms of runtime and durability. This "enhanced booster" model, powered by Merlin engines burning liquid oxygen (LOX) and RP-1 kerosene, has flown 45 times since its first launch in 2018 , each time successfully. On average, SpaceX picked them up and then relaunched them within about fifty days. To date, one of these first stages has even flown seven times, a record. The company will likely reach its goal of ten flights for a single booster next year.
Another factor behind this incredible launch rate is the company's need to deliver its own Starlink satellites into low orbit. Indeed, fourteen of this year's Falcon 9 launches have been dedicated to this constellation project, which aims to provide broadband internet access to the entire planet. We can also expect at least as many Starlink launches in 2021.
