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SpaceX Flies Iridium, NASA Satellites in 10th Launch of 2018
- U.S.-German joint project monitoring water levels on Earth
- Communications company is replacing largest satellite network
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Space Exploration Technologies Corp. launched satellites for longtime customers Iridium Communications Inc. and NASA, reusing part of a previously flown rocket for its 10th mission of 2018.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California’s central coast about 12:47 p.m. local time Tuesday. Five Iridium NEXT satellites were launched as part of the company’s campaign to replace the world’s largest commercial satellite network. Iridium shares rose 6.8 percent, the biggest gain in almost seven months.