SpaceX Failed To Launch 100 Falcon Rockets In 2023

Launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket (photo: Twitter @SpaceX)

JAKARTA The Falcon 9 rocket launched again on Monday, December 18 from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Previously,SpaceXhad delayed this launch for 11 days.

The delay in the launch of 23 Starlink satellites is SpaceX's longest record delay. Usually, the company owned by Elon Musk only provides a hiatus of about four days to launch the satellite into orbit.

With a nearly two-week delay, SpaceX will fail to reach its target of 100 Falcon rocket launches this year. Including at the last launch, SpaceX has only used a Falcon rocket 92 times.

SpaceX briefly explained through its official social media accounts that there were several factors that caused the launch of the Starlink mission to be delayed for quite a while. The first factor is bad weather conditions in Florida.

Due to this weather problem, SpaceX also postponed the launch of a Falcon Heavy rocket that had to carry an X-37B drone belonging to the United States Space Force (USSF). The rocket was delayed by its launch until December 28.

Apart from weather factors, there are other factors that SpaceX did not disclose when the rocket launch was delayed. Most likely, the company wants to extend the delay time to prepare for the payload to be carried.

If you calculate the remaining launches of SpaceX, the company still has to carry X-37B aircraft, Starlink, and SARAH satellites. In addition, SpaceX is expected to launch an Ovzon-3 communications satellite from Florida.

If calculated with the rest of the launch, SpaceX still cannot achieve their targets. Apparently, the company has also surrendered to the failure to achieve this target. However, they remain determined to complete all the remaining launches this year.

"100 is a huge target, but it requires very good execution, a relentless focus on safety and reliability, as well as a bit of luck in the weather," said SpaceX's Vice President of Launches Kiko Dontchev, quoted from his social media accounts.