SpaceX, NASA, ULA Launch 137 Satellites in Busy Week, Including IMAP and Starlink Missions
This week marked a busy time in space exploration with nine orbital launches across two countries, deploying 137 satellites into orbit. Notable missions included NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) and multiple launches by SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA).
SpaceX had a particularly active week. It launched 11 Starshield satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to bolster U.S. missile warning and intelligence networks. Additionally, SpaceX deployed 52 Starlink satellites across multiple missions, further expanding its global broadband network. These launches were conducted using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, with booster B1081 completing its 18th flight and landing successfully.
In other news, NASA launched the IMAP to study the heliosphere and solar wind. Meanwhile, ULA launched 27 Amazon Project Kuiper broadband satellites, bringing Amazon's constellation to 129 satellites. China contributed to the week's activities by launching the Fengyun-3H polar-orbiting meteorological satellite to enhance global climate and environment monitoring.
NASA also announced its 24th class of astronaut candidates, while two Chinese astronauts performed a spacewalk to install additional debris shielding on the Tiangong station. However, NASA and Sierra Space modified their Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract, delaying the first Dream Chaser cargo spaceplane flight to late 2026 and eliminating its planned docking with the ISS.
Looking ahead, upcoming events include Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-36 crewed flight, SpaceX's Starship Flight 11, and ISRO's CMS-02 mission. This week's launches highlight the ongoing progress and collaboration in space exploration and technology.
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