SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg, California, USA at 1316 GMT on 20 May 2023. The launch vehicle was carrying five Iridium-NEXT satellites (174, 177-179, & 181), fifteen OneWeb satellites (621-635) and a single OneWeb Joey-Sat which is a beam-hopping technology demonstration satellite on behalf of OneWeb, ESA and the UK Space Agency (and the Israeli SatixFy firm which built JoeySat’s payload). The reusable B1063 first stage, on its 11th flight, landed on the drone landing ship Of Course I Still Love You located down range in the Pacific.
Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg carrying payload of Iridium-NEXT and OneWeb satellites including Joey-Sat test spacecraft. Courtesy: SpaceX
Comment by David Todd: It is admirable that SpaceX continues to launch satellites for its competitor constellations. While Iridium-Next is not really a competitor with its much simpler communications offering, OneWeb definitely is – especially the Joey-Sat technology demonstration satellite ahead of its V2 constellation satellite design.
