SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter 12

Manifest Breakdown

Did You Know SpaceX is launching their Falcon 9 Transporter 12 mission Tuesday morning? They are! This will be the twelfth mission of the series.

Transporter missions are dedicated rideshare launches within SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare Program. It is aimed at providing affordable regular access to space for small operators. The missions leverage Falcon 9 to deploy an array of CubeSats, MicroSats, and SmallSats into primarily Low Earth Orbit, often in sun-synchronous configurations ideal for Earth observation.

By aggregating multiple payloads from various customers, including government agencies, educational institutions, and commercial entities, Transporter missions significantly reduce the cost of space access, making it feasible for startups, universities, and smaller organizations to participate in space activities.

Each mission typically includes satellites for a range of applications such as IoT, communications, technology demonstration, and scientific research, showcasing the versatility and global appeal of the program.

If I calculated right, there will be nearly 120 satellites on this mission, many in bulk deployment. Let's break them down.