SpaceX's 10th launch of the year went off without a hitch on Tuesday, as Elon Musk's rocket company successfully blasted off five more Iridium satellites into space. The satellites for Iridium Communications' next-generation fleet were released in a process completed a little more than an hour after liftoff. SpaceX tries to re-use rockets, payload fairings, boosters and other parts to try to cut down on the cost of each rocket mission. The McLean, Virginia-based company now has 55 Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit. The Iridium satellites also provide platforms for a space-based air traffic management system from joint venture Aerion LLC.

Source: Daily Mail May 22, 2018 23:08 UTC