Definition
The second major return-to-flight mission for SpaceX (Jan 14, 2017), launching 10 Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg and successfully landing the booster on a drone ship in the Pacific.
Why It Matters
Credibility is a binary state in aerospace. This mission wasn’t just about satellites; it was about proving SpaceX’s survival after a catastrophic failure. Success here unlocked the multibillion-dollar commercial launch market.
Core Concepts
- The Stakes: Essential to restore confidence after the AMOS-6 Explosion. For Iridium, a failure would have been a near-fatal blow to the company’s $3B constellation plans.
- The Payload: 10 satellites (600 kg each), totaling 6 tons. Featured 30-foot wingspan solar arrays, jokingly described as “four Shaquille O’Neals” by webcast host Lauren Lyons.
- Vandenberg Challenges: Winds were high, and a communications cable to the satellites blew down the night before, requiring an emergency JLG-lift repair.
- The Landing: Proved SpaceX could hit a rolling target in the Pacific (Just Read the Instructions), even with the upgraded Falcon 9 Full Thrust vehicle.