Record 19th flight: SpaceX has sent the Falcon 9 launch vehicle for a legal rest (photo)
SpaceX has retired one of the most honored launch vehicles with the serial number B1058. This happened immediately after a record 19 launches into space, and return.
Of course, the information was posted on social network X (formerly Twitter):
The Falcon rocket completed its 19th and final launch and landed on December 23. This reusable launch vehicle has launched 2 astronauts and more than 860 satellites with a total weight of 260+ metric tons into orbit in 3.5 years.
The Falcon fleet’s life leading rocket completed its 19th and final launch and landing on December 23. This one reusable rocket booster alone launched to orbit 2 astronauts and more than 860 satellites — totaling 260+ metric tons — in ~3.5 years pic.twitter.com/q1ANdGCpEg
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 26, 2023
During its first launch, B1058 delivered people into orbit, the first among SpaceX vehicles. It was an important launch not only for SpaceX, but also for the US space industry, which had not carried out missions with people on its rockets for 9 years.
However, it is likely that B1058 retired early. SpaceX reported the incident after landing:
During transportation to the port early this morning, the launch vehicle overturned onto the unmanned ship due to strong winds and waves. The new Falcon boosters have modernized landing legs that can level the rocket and mitigate such problems.
