VIDEO: SpaceX launches 143 satellites on a single rocket, breaks world record

Gulf Today Report

SpaceX broke the world record on Sunday by launching 143 satellites on a single rocket from the Florida space centre.

The record number of payloads beats the previous record held by India. In 2017, India spacecraft carried 104 satellites into space.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter before the launch, “Launching many small satellites for a wide range of customers tomorrow. Excited about offering low-cost access to orbit for small companies!”

SpaceX said, “On board this launch are 133 commercial and government spacecraft (including CubeSats, microsats, and orbital transfer vehicles) and 10 Starlink satellites – the most spacecraft ever deployed on a single mission. The Starlink satellites aboard this mission will be the first in the constellation to deploy to a polar orbit.”

Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously supported launch of Crew Dragon’s second demonstration mission, the ANASIS-II mission, a Starlink mission, and launch of Dragon’s 21st cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

On the other hand, Musk has announced to donate $100 million towards a prize for the best carbon capture technology.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a combination of technologies designed to prevent the release of Carbon dioxide generated through conventional power generation and industrial production processes by injecting the Carbon dioxide in suitable underground storage reservoirs.

"Am donating $100M towards a prize for best carbon capture technology," Mush said in a tweet, adding that details will be share next week.