SpaceX Completes Pair of Space Coast Launches Just Over 4 Hours Apart

First-of-its-kind mission

SpaceX made history on Saturday, launching two rockets into orbit from the Space Coast within just over four hours of each other. The first launch, a Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:27 a.m. ET, carrying a payload of 53 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Just over four hours later, at 11:31 a.m. ET, SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, carrying the USSF-67 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world, and the USSF-67 mission was its fifth launch.

SpaceX making significant progress

The successful completion of these two launches marks a significant milestone for SpaceX. The company is now the only one in the world that can launch two rockets into orbit within such a short period of time. This capability gives SpaceX a major advantage in the competitive space launch market.

In addition to its commercial launch business, SpaceX is also developing a reusable spacecraft called Starship. Starship is designed to carry humans and cargo to Mars and other destinations in the solar system. The successful completion of these two launches is a major step forward in SpaceX's plans to make Starship a reality.

A second booster safely landed

Saturday's launches also marked the first time that SpaceX has successfully landed two boosters from a Falcon Heavy rocket. The two side boosters landed safely at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, while the center booster was lost at sea.

The successful landing of the two side boosters is a significant milestone for SpaceX. It means that the company is now able to reuse the most expensive part of the Falcon Heavy rocket, which will significantly reduce the cost of future launches.