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SpaceX launches Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission with 18 satellites

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SpaceX Falcon 9 Rideshare-4 mission liftoff

On November 2, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket, featuring a Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission launched in mid-inclination orbit, which offers customers who want to expand their coverage or complete different objectives, not limited to Sun synchronous orbit.

The Falcon 9 fairings are carrying 18 satellites from SpaceX customers, including KOREA ADD, Exolaunch, Fergani, Tomorrow Companies Inc., Starcloud, and Vast. Here are the specific satellites in deployment order.

  • 425 Korea – KOREA ADD
  • TAURUS 1-4 – Exolaunch
  • SEMI-2 – Exolaunch
  • SEMI-3 – Exolaunch
  • CEVROSAT-1 – Exolaunch
  • LEMUR-2-AFFIE-WAUWIE – Exolaunch
  • Haven demo – Vast
  • Tomorrow-S8 – Tomorrow Companies Inc.
  • SEMI-1 – Exolaunch
  • ICEYE 2 – Exolaunch
  • Tomorrow-S9 – Tomorrow Companies Inc.
  • ICEYE 1 – Exolaunch
  • FGN-100-d2 – Fergani
  • Starcloud-1 – Starcloud
  • ICEYE 3 – Exolaunch
SpaceX Falcon 9 Bandwagon-4 mission liftoff

SpaceX Falcon 9 Bandwagon-4 mission liftoff

Mission Profile

Falcon 9 lifted off with nine Merlin engines firing at full power. At 1 minute and 12 seconds, the rocket reaches Max Q, the moment of peak mechanical stress.

The first-stage main engine cutoff (MECO) occurs at 2 minutes and 14 seconds, followed just four seconds later by separating the first and second stages. As the 1st stage performs a flip maneuver and begins its boostback burn, the 2nd stage engine ignites for its first start (SES-1) at 2 minutes and 26 seconds. The payload fairing separates at 2:41.

The first stage continues its descent, conducting an entry burn at 6:09 and a landing burn at 7:23, before landing at 7 minutes and 46 seconds on Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.. This was the third flight for the first stage booster, which previously supported KF-02 and KF-03.

The 2nd stage completes its first burn with engine cutoff (SECO-1) at 9:38. It performed two more burns to adjust its orbit: SES-2 at 37:51 (lasting one second) and SES-3 at 59:30 (also lasting one second), before beginning payload deployments. At 1 hour and 14 minutes, SpaceX marked the final stage of deployment.

Mannoo specializes in Generative AI, Large Language Model (LLM), and Aerospace Science. Prior to delving into these fields, he was a Python programmer, a game designer, and an Android and iOS app developer with over 5 years of experience. He has prior writing experience in creative writing about smartphones and technology before working at Eonmsk.com. You can explore his X/TWitter and LinkedIn pages or contact him through his email.