Trump lashes out against the electric car while Elon Musk reveals he is a "Cybertruck fan" SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite deployment, achieving yet another milestone on Sunday night (Aug. 11) when a Falcon 9 rocket launched for the 22nd time. This record-tying feat sent two Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) satellites into orbit, marking a significant step in expanding broadband coverage to the Arctic region. Elon Musk's starship rocket achieves successful blast-off on third try The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:02 p.m. EDT (7:02 p.m. local time on Aug. 12), cutting through the dense coastal fog that often blankets the area. The launch, conducted in the darkening evening sky, was visually striking as the rocket ascended towards space. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage successfully returned to Earth, landing on the SpaceX drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You," stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 22nd successful launch and landing for this particular booster, tying SpaceX's rocket-reuse record. The previous record was set in June during a Starlink satellite deployment. While the first stage returned safely, the Falcon 9's upper stage continued its mission, carrying the ASBM satellites into orbit. The first satellite was deployed 42.5 minutes after launch, followed by the second one five minutes later, completing a flawless mission. The ASBM satellites are designed to extend broadband coverage to the Arctic region, benefiting both the U.S. Space Force and Space Norway. The mission, developed by aerospace giant Northrop Grumman, features multiple payloads, including military instruments for the U.S. and Norwegian Armed Forces, a commercial payload for Viasat, and a radiation monitor for the European Commission. The satellites will operate in a highly elliptical orbit, allowing them to provide critical coverage in the challenging Arctic environment. A Busy Weekend for SpaceX The successful ASBM launch capped off a hectic weekend for SpaceX. The company also launched 21 Starlink satellites from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday morning (Aug. 10). Although SpaceX attempted to launch another batch of Starlink satellites from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Sunday morning, the attempt was aborted with just 46 seconds left in the countdown. As SpaceX continues to break records and expand its capabilities, the company's ongoing efforts are revolutionizing access to space and enhancing global communication networks. The latest launch not only underscores SpaceX's dominance in the space industry but also highlights the critical role satellite technology plays in connecting the most remote regions of the world.