SpaceX launches two Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart
SpaceX achieved a new launch record after two Falcon 9 rockets lifted off from opposite coasts of the United States just 38 minutes apart, WAM reported.
The rapid-fire launches took place on Saturday, with one Falcon 9 carrying eight Globalstar satellites from Florida and another launching the classified USSF-366 mission for the US Space Force from California.
The first Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 9.12 pm EDT on Saturday (6.42 am IST on Sunday). It carried eight satellites for Louisiana-based telecommunications company Globalstar into low Earth orbit.
SpaceX said all eight satellites were successfully deployed, with the spacecraft separating over a stretch of about six minutes beginning roughly 56.5 minutes after liftoff.
Just 38 minutes later, another Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the central coast of California. The rocket lifted off at 9.50 pm EDT (7.20 am IST on Sunday), carrying the classified USSF-366 mission for the US Space Force.
Earlier, it was reported that Japan successfully launched the H3 Rocket carrying the Michibiki satellite.