The Facts
SpaceX launched its first Falcon 9 “rideshare” mission of 2023 on Tuesday carrying 114 small satellites and other payloads into orbit.
The flight, named Transporter-6, marked the 15th mission by Falcon 9’s first stage — tying a reusability record the company set last month.
The Spin
Narrative A
SpaceX is accomplishing launch milestones not seen since the Soviet space program in the 1980s. It's remarkable how a private business has made so much progress. Although there will be challenges to SpaceX meeting Musk’s aim of at least 100 rockets this year, so far the company has given no reason to doubt it.
Narrative B
What SpaceX and other private companies are accomplishing in the commercial space travel realm is exciting. But there is a risk in letting these companies grow so much and allowing other companies to sprout up untethered. More needs to be done to ensure that space is governed responsibly. International norms must be established to avoid conflict and overcrowding.