SpaceX Launches Bandwagon-1: First Rideshare Mission to Low-Earth Orbit

Tags: Science and Technology

On April 7, 2024, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) conducted the launch of Bandwagon-1.

An Overview of the News

• This marks the first rideshare mission to low-Earth orbit, facilitated by a Falcon 9 rocket.

• The launch took place from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States of America (USA).

Key Satellites Carried:

• Bandwagon-1 carries a total of 11 satellites, each serving various purposes and organizations.

• Notable satellites include KOREA's 425Sat, HawkEye 360's Clusters 8 & 9, Tyvak International's CENTAURI-6, IQPS's QPS-Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-7 TSUKUYOMI-II, Capella Space's Capella-14, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited's TSAT-1A.

Significance of the Launch:

• The inclusion of a '425 Project' satellite for the military of South Korea stands out as a significant aspect of this mission.

• This satellite is likely the largest among the 11 satellites carried by Bandwagon-1.

• It's noteworthy that the first 425 Project satellite, an optical/infrared spacecraft, was launched previously in December 2023 with a Falcon 9 rocket.