NASA Awards SpaceX Contract, Busy Launch Day Ahead

NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract allowing its Starship megarocket, the world's most powerful rocket, to be used for future NASA missions, as part of the NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) program. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing for a busy schedule with two launches set for the same day: a Falcon 9 rocket will deploy 28 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, and a privately funded crewed mission is planned for later that night. The Starlink launches aim to expand SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, which offers connectivity in remote areas. The Falcon 9 booster will attempt a landing on the 'Just Read the Instructions' droneship, highlighting SpaceX's ongoing efforts to enhance reusability. Weather conditions will be a key factor in the timing of these launches.