CAPE CANAVERAL – In an action-packed few days, SpaceX executed a remarkable trio of Falcon 9 rocket launches in less than 24 hours, setting the stage for its highly anticipated Starship-Super Heavy vehicle flight test scheduled for November 19.

The launch spree began on November 17 at 5:28 p.m. EST with the successful liftoff of a classified mission, believed to be an Australian military communications satellite known as Optus X, or TD7. Just seven hours later, SpaceX launched a second Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 20 next-generation Starlink satellites. This launch is part of SpaceX's ambitious plans to expand its broadband communications network, which has seen 7,344 Starlink satellites launched since February 2018, with 6,676 currently operational.

The excitement didn't stop there. The third Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:31 p.m. EST on November 18, deploying India’s GSAT-N2 broadband communications satellite. Notably, this satellite, which is managed by NewSpace India Ltd., required a more powerful rocket than India usually employs, as its size outstripped their typical launch capabilities.

With these impressive launches, SpaceX has now achieved 113 Falcon 9 launches this year alone, bringing the total to 398 since the rocket's inaugural flight in June 2010. When counting the 11 Falcon Heavy missions—two of which occurred this year—the company has successfully completed 409 orbital missions with only two in-flight failures.

Looking ahead, SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell is optimistic about the Starship-Super Heavy project. She stated during a recent conference that she wouldn’t be surprised if the company manages to conduct 400 Starship launches within the next four years. Such a feat would mark a giant leap in SpaceX’s mission to enhance its space exploration capabilities.

The upcoming Starship Flight Test 6 is set to launch between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. EST on November 19 from SpaceX's private launch facility at Boca Chica Beach, Texas. The company aims to replicate the successful catch of its Super Heavy booster using mechanical arms during landing, a technique previously employed during the October 13 test. Additionally, this flight will include a critical Raptor engine relighting test during ascent, a vital step toward perfecting the operational parameters of the Starship design.

However, it is important to note that, similar to previous tests, the Starship will not achieve orbital velocity during this flight. Instead, it is expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean roughly 65 minutes post-launch, continuing SpaceX's ambitious journey toward reusable space travel technology.

As the days lead up to this crucial test, the space community watches eagerly – will SpaceX successfully push the boundaries of space transportation once again? Stay tuned!