SpaceX Launches Starfall Capsule on Bandwagon-5 Mission in Florida
SpaceX launched its Starfall reentry capsule for the second time on a rideshare mission from Florida, supporting microgravity research.
SpaceX successfully launched its Starfall capsule on Tuesday morning as part of the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 7:04 a.m. ET. The Falcon 9 rocket carried a total of 32 payloads, marking another milestone for the aerospace company.
The launch saw the Falcon 9’s first stage booster, which was on its 19th flight, land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas about nine minutes after liftoff. Starfall is designed to enable cost-effective access to a microgravity environment, allowing for opportunities in scientific research and manufacturing.
During the flight, Starfall was scheduled to separate from the rocket nearly three hours post-launch. SpaceX later confirmed the successful deployment of all payloads involved in the mission. This time, Starfall was listed openly alongside customer payloads, a departure from the first launch that did not publicly acknowledge its presence.
The Federal Aviation Administration described Starfall as a disk-shaped capsule, approximately 10.2 feet wide and 2.5 feet tall, weighing about 4,600 pounds. Its design allows it to return up to 2,200 pounds of cargo to Earth.
SpaceX has not confirmed specifics about the payloads aboard this Starfall mission. During its previous flight in June, details were similarly withheld until close to the launch date.
Another payload on the Bandwagon-5 mission included Varda Space Industries’ W-Series 7 capsule, intended to test microgravity’s effects on a cancer drug. This marks a collaborative opportunity as SpaceX has been Varda’s launch provider since 2021.
Weather conditions were favorable for the launch, allowing spectators across the Gulf Coast to view the event with clear skies. Observers noted the potential for the spectacular jellyfish effect, a visual phenomenon produced by sunlight interacting with rocket exhaust.
“This mission represents not just a step forward for SpaceX, but also for all of humanity through the benefits of microgravity research,” said Zachary Luppen, a SpaceX engineer involved with Starfall.
