SpaceX Launches 13 Satellites for US Space Force, Lands Rocket

SpaceX launched an advanced new set of military satellites into orbit for the U.S. Space Force on Saturday, September 2, after a two-day delay. The Falcon 9 rocket also landed safely back on Earth, tying SpaceX's own flight rate record.

The satellites, which are part of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), will be used for global military communication and missile warning, indication and tracking capabilities.

This was SpaceX's second launch in support of the PWSA. The first mission occurred in early April, when a Falcon 9 lofted 10 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The 13 satellites launched on Saturday included 11 communications spacecraft and two missile-tracking sensor satellites. They were built by Lockheed Martin, York Space Systems, and SpaceX.

The satellites were deployed into a low Earth orbit about 1,200 miles above the planet's surface. They are expected to begin operating within the next few weeks.

The PWSA is a key part of the Space Force's plan to create a resilient and robust space-based network. The agency eventually plans to have hundreds of satellites in orbit as part of the PWSA.

SpaceX's successful launch of the 13 satellites is a major milestone for the PWSA and the Space Force. It demonstrates the ability of SpaceX to launch and deploy large constellations of satellites quickly and efficiently.

The successful landing of the Falcon 9's first stage also underscores SpaceX's commitment to reusable rockets. This is a key technology that will help to reduce the cost of space launches.

The launch of the 13 satellites is a significant step forward for the Space Force and its efforts to develop a dominant space-based capability. It is also a testament to the innovation and capabilities of SpaceX.