SpaceX, the space company founded by Elon Musk, set a new record this year by launching a total of 96 rockets.
On the 28th (local time), SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket to send 23 Starlink satellites into orbit and posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) along with photos, stating, "Our 96th and final Falcon launch of 2023."
SpaceX launched 91 times with Falcon 9 rockets and 5 times with Falcon Heavy rockets this year, totaling 96 rocket launches. This is about 1.5 times the number of launches last year (61). It means they launched a rocket roughly every four days.
Additionally, SpaceX successfully landed rocket boosters on the ground 250 times this year after separating them from the rockets that carried payloads into orbit. This is significant because it enables rocket reuse, greatly reducing related costs.
John Edwards, Vice President of Falcon Launch Vehicles at SpaceX, congratulated the entire SpaceX Falcon team on his X account for setting the new record of 96 launches in 2023. He recalled, "I remember when Elon Musk first experimentally set the goal of 100 launches," adding, "It was intended to awaken our thinking on how to accelerate Falcon at every level of production and launch stages, and in just a few years, we have come this far." He also said, "I am very proud to work with the world's best team and look forward to what achievements we will see next year."
According to U.S. media, SpaceX is reportedly aiming for up to 144 Falcon launches next year.
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