140 Satellites Soar to Space: SpaceX's Transporter-15 Triumph

November 28, 2025, turned out to be a monumental day in space exploration history. SpaceX, once again proving its prowess in the industry, successfully launched 140 spacecraft aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from the famed Vandenberg Space Force Base. After an initial scrub due to a ground systems issue, the launch represented a significant stride in the Smallsat Rideshare program, and it did not disappoint.

Breaking Through Challenges

The initial attempt was thwarted when the rocket’s upper stage faced a hitch during liquid oxygen load. However, this setback merely set the stage for an impressive comeback. SpaceX’s determination culminated in the triumphant liftoff of the Transporter-15 at precisely 10:44 a.m. PST, riding along a southerly trajectory from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

A 30th Flight Marvel

Behind this success was the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, B1071. An emblem of SpaceX’s innovative spirit and engineering excellence, B1071 has now completed 30 flights. This milestone reinforces the reliability and reusability ethos bedrock to SpaceX’s operations. Remarkably, it has been integral in eight other major missions, including national security launches and NASA missions.

Integrating the Sky

A highlight of the mission was the diverse array of spacecraft onboard, made possible by SpaceX’s pioneering rideshare approach. From Seops Space’s array of customer payloads to Exolaunch’s 59 satellite dispatch, the Transporter-15 was a testament to collaborative innovation. Such missions not only reduce costs but offer a lifeline for varied space-bound enterprises.

Rising Star: The Formosat-8

Topping the Transporter-15 stack was the Formosat-8 satellite. As part of Taiwan Space Agency’s grand constellation project aimed at optical remote sensing, it embodies the international spirit driving modern space exploration efforts. The journey it began is set to span years, with an entire constellation slated for deployment.

Landing for the Future

Completing this dazzling display of technology was the autonomous landing of the B1071 booster on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’, marking the 165th landing for this illustrious vessel. Such precision in recovery is a leap for sustainable space operations.

As stated in Spaceflight Now, the Transporter-15 mission symbolizes a formidable confluence of ingenuity, cooperation, and ambition. With milestones etched both in earth and orbit, SpaceX continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration.