In 2016,21 rocketswere successfully establish into space from American filth . If SpaceX get its way , it will almost single - handedly bust that number alone in 2017 .
That ’s according to Gwynne Shotwell , the company ’s president . In an audience withRetuers , she said they were hope to launch a rocket engine “ every two to three week ” this class – pay them a sum of 20 or so launches .
This would be a seriously impressive charge per unit of launching , consider SpaceX ’s previous record - good turn of launching in a single year was eight , in 2016 . They were on aim to attain more launches than that last year , though , until one of theirrockets explodedin September .
Still , a jump from less than ten to 20 or more would be ambitious . This is not the first clock time the company has gas such public figure , either – Shotwell made thesame claimin early 2016 .
That explosion in September knocked out one of their launching pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida . But they have another there – the historic pad used for the Space Shuttle – alongside Vandenberg Air Force Base in California . With these all up and running , Shotwell said they can reach their challenging target .
So far this year , they ’ve managed asingle launchin mid - January . Another , planned for former February , was remit to the close of the month . In a week , we ’re expecting the companionship to set in motion its next cargo mission to the International Space Station ( ISS ) . The launch are there , it seems – but holdup and technical issues could hamper progress .
Reuters note that SpaceX has a backlog of more than 70 missions deserving more than $ 10 billion . Getting their launches running like clockwork as quickly as possible will be vital in hold launch the money flow , especiallysince leakedfinances to begin with this yr showed the troupe was losing money .
They ’ve also had to fence with somerecent newsabout a supposed defect in their Falcon 9 projectile . Government investigators were said to be upset about a crack in the projectile ’s turbine blades , although Shotwell said this was not a cause for concern .
It remains to be ascertain if they can get their rocket launching as often as they desire , though . This year will be telling for the company , as it plans to re - found its first landed skyrocket , debut its new Falcon Heavy launch vehicle , and perform an remote-controlled test flight of its crewed Dragon vehicle .
If all goes to plan , SpaceX wo n’t be straying far from headlines anytime shortly – for better , rather than worse .
