On January 14, SpaceX's Transporter-12 mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying more than 130 payloads into orbit. This included dozens of Earth imaging satellites, reentry vehicles, orbital transfer vehicles, and even a unique “selfie sat.”
The Falcon 9 rocket, on its second flight, successfully launched at 2:09 p.m. Eastern. The first stage landed back at the launch site, while the second stage deployed the payloads into a sun-synchronous orbit. SpaceX reported a total of 131 payloads, with 14 additional payloads on orbital transfer vehicles slated for later deployment.
Planet was the largest single customer, deploying 36 Dove imaging cubesats and its second Pelican high-resolution imaging satellite. Other notable participants included Iceye, Satellogic, and the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, which launched the 750-kilogram MBZ-Sat, the mission's largest single payload.
Pixxel, an Indian startup, launched its first three Firefly high-resolution satellites. “The successful deployment of our first commercial satellites is a defining moment for Pixxel and a giant leap toward redefining how we use space technology to address the planet’s challenges,” said Awais Ahmed, co-founder and chief executive of Pixxel.
The mission also included orbital transfer vehicles from D-Orbit and Impulse Space's LEO Express-2, carrying payloads for various companies. Return vehicles from Varda Space Industries and Inversion Space also participated, testing reentry technologies. "The purpose of Ray, with the majority of its parts developed in-house and purpose-built for our needs, is to inform our next-generation re-entry vehicle, Arc,” stated Justin Fiaschetti, Inversion's chief executive.
A unique payload was SatGus, a 12U cubesat featuring a video screen for user-uploaded images. “Making space more accessible for all is at the heart of our business,” noted Chad Brinkley, chief executive of SEOPS, regarding the rideshare accommodations for SatGus.
The Transporter missions have significantly increased space accessibility. SpaceX has now launched over 1,100 payloads on rideshare missions, demonstrating the growing affordability of space access for numerous startups and organizations.