flown by SpaceX USA

Iridium NEXT-4

Success
DEC 23201701:27:23 UTC

Iridium became the first commercial customer to fly two missions on the same booster, with the fourth batch of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites riding the recovered stage from the second Iridium mission. SpaceX chose not to attempt a second recovery and conducted a controlled ocean descent instead, marking the halfway point of the eight-flight Iridium constellation replacement campaign.

launched from SLC-4E Vandenberg

aboard Falcon 9 Full Thrust F9-046 into LEO

Broadcast

Watch how the launch went

Booster

B1036.2

Splashed down in the sea

Payload

Iridium NEXT-4 (10 satellites)

Communications

last updated May 30, 2026