Don’t Miss SpaceX’s 100th Mission: Falcon 9 Rocket Launching Amazon’s Internet Satellites Live on August 8!

On August 7, SpaceX called off a launch attempt to run more checks on its Falcon 9 rocket. The company announced that they now plan to launch on August 8 at 9:40 a.m. ET (1340 GMT).

This launch marks SpaceX’s 100th mission of the year. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry 24 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

You can catch the live stream of the launch on SpaceX’s website and their X account, starting about 15 minutes before liftoff.

This launch will be the 97th Falcon 9 liftoff this year, with the 100th mission in total, including three suborbital tests of the Starship. SpaceX aims to break its single-year record of 138 launches set in 2024, with projections for around 165 total launches this year.

Interestingly, over 70% of this year’s Falcon 9 missions have focused on expanding Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service. Currently, Starlink has more than 8,100 operational satellites, and it’s expanding steadily.

In contrast, Project Kuiper is still in its early stages. Today’s launch will increase the Kuiper satellite count to 102. Eventually, Amazon plans to have over 3,200 satellites in this constellation, requiring more than 80 launches over the years. Various rockets, including the Falcon 9 and others, will be involved in these launches.

If all goes well, the Falcon 9 booster will return to Earth about 8.5 minutes after launch, landing in the Atlantic Ocean on a SpaceX drone ship. This particular booster will be making its debut flight, which is unusual as SpaceX typically reuses its rockets. The most-flown Falcon 9 has completed 29 flights.

As we watch these satellite launches unfold, it’s fascinating to see how the landscape of space technology is evolving. With companies like SpaceX and Amazon pushing the boundaries, we’re on the brink of significant changes in global internet access and interplanetary travel.

For further details on the launch, check out SpaceX’s mission description here.

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