SpaceX preps for Falcon 9’s historic Transporter-15 mission launching 140 payloads into orbit

SpaceX is gearing up for its upcoming Falcon 9 launch, which will carry 140 commercial payloads into Sun-synchronous orbit as part of its Transporter-15 mission. Scheduled to lift off no earlier than November 28 at 10:18 PST (18:18 UTC) from Vandenberg Space Force Base’s Space Launch Complex 4-E, this mission marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansive rideshare program.

This flight will see booster B1071 undertake its 30th mission, making it only the second booster in SpaceX history to reach this achievement. After delivering the payloads, the booster will be retrieved by the droneship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The deployment of the satellites is set to commence 54 minutes and 39 seconds post-launch, with the entire process wrapping up approximately two hours and 43 minutes later. The Falcon 9’s second stage will conduct five burns to ensure that each payload is placed into its designated orbit.

Among the notable participants in this mission is Exolaunch, a German aerospace firm hosting an impressive 59 payloads—the largest batch for the company to date. Exolaunch has established a strong foothold in the satellite launch sector, successfully deploying satellites for a variety of customers across previous SpaceX missions. This time around, its client roster includes more than 30 commercial and governmental entities from 16 nations, including the USA, the UK, Germany, and Spain.

A key highlight from Exolaunch involves five ICEYE synthetic aperture radar satellites, which excel in Earth observation capabilities, offering continuous monitoring under various weather conditions. Another important payload is the European Space Agency’s HYDROGNNS-1, comprising two twin microsatellites engineered by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, focused on gathering data related to essential climate variables critical for understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s hydrological systems.

Additionally, the Taiwanese Space Agency (TASA) is set to launch three domestically developed cubesats, intending to boost the nation’s burgeoning commercial space sector. Exolaunch will manage the launch of these satellites, which include Black Kite-1, designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and Bellbird-1, which aims to enhance satellite-based communication capabilities. Also on board is TORO-8U-1, tasked with studying ocean health through advanced remote sensing techniques.

Planet Labs, based in San Francisco, will deploy 36 new SuperDove satellites as part of its Earth imaging operation during this mission. These small satellites are designed to capture medium-resolution images, aiding in daily monitoring of terrestrial conditions. Moreover, the company will introduce two higher-capacity spacecraft for its Pelican constellation, enhancing its observational capabilities.

Impulse Space plans to launch its Leo-Express 3 mission alongside Transporter-15, using an upgraded version of its Mira space tug. This improved tug is expected to host multiple payloads, including high-resolution imaging devices and novel attitude control technology.

Varda Space Industries will contribute with its Winnebago-5 capsule, engineered to conduct pharmaceutical research in microgravity. The capsule’s high-speed reentry will be safeguarded by a specialized heat shield, ensuring safe return to Earth.

Moreover, SEOPS will manifest 10 payloads, including Blue Skies Space’s Mauve spectrograph, which aims to conduct extensive astrological research over several years—an essential step for expanding our understanding of both galaxies and exoplanets.

The Transporter-15 mission represents SpaceX’s 157th launch for the year and its sixth rideshare effort in 2025. Rideshare missions like this are pivotal for small satellite companies, allowing them to access space at a fraction of the cost compared to dedicated launches, with opportunities to send payloads to orbit starting at just $325,000 for up to 50 kg.