SpaceX busy with crewed mission and military satellite launch

On October 1, 2026, SpaceX reached a new milestone in its already record-breaking year.

By surpassing 100 launches annually, the company solidified its position as the undisputed leader in aerospace operations.

First, the Crew-13 mission launched from Cape Canaveral, sending four international astronauts to the International Space Station to begin a six-month scientific residency.

Despite a minor propulsion issue that caused a brief delay, the team successfully readied the Dragon spacecraft for its journey.

Later that day, SpaceX shifted gears to national security, launching the NROL-97 satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office using a powerful Falcon Heavy rocket.

This operational intensity is sustained by the frequent deployment of the Starlink satellite constellation, alongside essential government and commercial contracts.

While the Falcon family remains the current workhorse, SpaceX is already looking toward the future.

The company is actively transitioning its focus to the massive Starship program, which is designed to eventually replace both the Falcon rockets and the Dragon capsule.

As the only currently operational U.S. vehicle for crew rotations, Dragon remains vital to NASA's mission.