Need transportation? SpaceX launches record-breaking spaceship in cosmic ridesharing program

(Reuters) – A veteran rocket for billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX launched on Sunday 143 spacecraft into space, a new record for the most spacecraft deployed in a single mission, according to the company .

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 10 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida. It flew south along Florida’s east coast towards space, the company said.

The reusable rocket carried 133 commercial and government spacecraft and 10 Starlink satellites to space – part of the company’s SmallSat Rideshare program, which provides access to space for small satellite operators looking for a ride reliable and affordable in orbit, according to the company.

SpaceX has delayed the launch for a day due to inclement weather conditions. On January 22, Musk, also managing director of Tesla Inc., wrote on Twitter: “The launch of many small satellites for a wide range of customers tomorrow. I am excited to offer low cost orbit access to small businesses! “

SpaceX has already launched into orbit more than 800 satellites of the thousands needed to bring high-speed internet to the world, a $ 10 billion investment that it says could generate $ 30 billion a year to help fund the program. of Musk’s interplanetary rockets, called Starship.