SpaceX Sets New Record With Two Falcon 9 Launches in 38.5 Minutes
One mission carried Globalstar satellites, while the other served the US Space Force
WASHINGTON: SpaceX set a new launch turnaround record by successfully launching two Falcon 9 rockets just 38.5 minutes apart on Saturday night.
According to The Express Tribune report, the first rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 9:12 p.m. EDT, carrying eight Globalstar satellites to replenish its low Earth orbit constellation.
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster, B1090, completed its 14th flight and successfully landed at Landing Zone 40 around eight minutes after launch.
Just 38.5 minutes later, a second Falcon 9 launched the classified USSF-366 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The second booster, B1088, successfully landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean, marking the 650th Falcon booster landing.
The US Space Force did not reveal details about the payload, saying the mission was conducted under a previously awarded National Security Space Launch program.
The Globalstar mission was originally scheduled for May 17 but was delayed to allow teams more time to prepare the satellites.
The latest launch comes as Globalstar awaits its planned acquisition by Amazon, a deal expected to close in 2027 and aimed at supporting Amazon Leo’s direct-to-device satellite services.
