SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, has reached a symbolic milestone: since the beginning of 2026 it has successfully carried out its 100th space launch. According to Ixbt.com and a number of specialized publications, this important milestone was recorded during a mission to deploy Starlink satellites into orbit: the Falcon 9 rocket launched on August 19 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. According to 24tv.ua, this is the third time in the company's history that the mark of 100 launches in a calendar year has been reached, which underscores the unprecedented intensity of Musk's "space conveyor."
The Jubilee Flight and Payload Composition
During its 100th flight, the Falcon 9 rocket successfully delivered 24 new Starlink vehicles to low Earth orbit, intended for the broadband satellite internet system. Notably, according to 3dnews.ru, this launch was rare in the sense that it involved a new, previously unflyen first stage of the rocket, which further confirms the high rate of production and turnaround of launch vehicles at SpaceX's factories.
The Structure of the 100 Launches: Falcon 9 Dominance
Of the total number of 100 launches carried out since the beginning of 2026, the overwhelming majority — 97 — were performed by Falcon 9 rockets. Three additional successful launches took place as part of test flights of the heavier and more promising Falcon Heavy and Starship systems. This structure clearly demonstrates that Falcon 9 remains the company's workhorse and the main tool for commercial and satellite missions.
Starlink as the Engine of the Pace
The main reason for SpaceX's such high operational intensity is the Starlink project. Exactly 74 of the first 100 missions of the current year were aimed at expanding this global satellite constellation and enhancing its capabilities. Currently, according to available data, the total number of operational Starlink vehicles in orbit has reached nearly 11,000, making the system one of the largest satellite constellations in the world.
Outlook: The Transition to Starship
In the future, SpaceX plans to significantly increase the frequency of space launches thanks to the fully reusable Starship system. Previously, Elon Musk spoke about the possibility of launching the Starship rocket several times a day, which theoretically paves the way for approximately a thousand flights per year. In the long term, Starship is expected to gradually and completely replace the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, taking on the main burden of delivering payloads to orbit.
