SpaceX launched a fleet of 70 satellites into orbit aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, as part of its rideshare mission known as Transporter 14. The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California took place at 5:25 p.m. EDT (2125 GMT) on June 23.
The mission included microsats, cubesats, and reentry capsules, with one carrying cremated remains and human DNA on a memorial mission. This was the 26th launch and landing for this particular booster, bringing SpaceX closer to its reusability record of 28 flights.
The upper stage of the rocket deployed the payloads over a nearly two-hour span, starting approximately 54 minutes after liftoff. These payloads include private Earth-observing satellites, such as Capella Space’s Capella-17 synthetic aperture radar craft, and Starfish Space’s Otter Pup 2, which will attempt to perform the first-ever commercial docking in LEO later this year.
Additionally, the mission carried the fourth reentry capsule for California company Varda Space, working to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other goods in space. The Exploration Company’s new Nyx reusable spacecraft also flew on the mission, carrying cremated remains and/or DNA from about 150 people on a memorial mission.
This was the 14th mission in SpaceX’s rideshare series, which has set single-launch records for satellite deployments. The company operates another rideshare program called Bandwagon, with three missions under its belt to date.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-launches-human-remains-reentry-capsule-and-more-on-transporter-14-rideshare-mission