SpaceX official announcements and launch records

SpaceX Ends 2024 With 134th Launch, Deploying 21 Starlink Satellites With Direct-to-Cell Capabilities

Dec 30, 2024, 04:55 PM

SpaceX concluded its launch activities for 2024 with the successful deployment of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:39 a.m. EST on December 31, marking SpaceX's 134th and final launch of the year. This mission followed two other launches within the last three days of the year, including a Starlink mission from California and a four-satellite launch for Astranis from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The first stage booster, on its 16th flight, had previously supported the Crew-6 and USSF-124 missions, as well as 11 other Starlink missions. It landed successfully on the droneship 'Just Read the Instructions' in the Atlantic Ocean approximately eight minutes after liftoff. The year 2024 saw SpaceX increase its launch frequency by nearly 40% compared to 2023, with a total of 134 orbital launches, including 132 Falcon 9 launches and 2 Falcon Heavy missions, with 89 of those dedicated to expanding the Starlink global network.