SpaceX Iridium Next
Photo shows the empty upper stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 mission that carried 10 Iridium Next satellites to low Earth orbit on Dec. 22. Credit: SpaceX

WASHINGTON — SpaceX closed out its most successful year to date Dec. 22 with the launch of 10 satellites for mobile satellite services operator Iridium, notching a personal best of 18 launches in a single year.

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Caleb Henry is a former SpaceNews staff writer covering satellites, telecom and launch. He previously worked for Via Satellite and NewSpace Global.He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science along with a minor in astronomy from Grove City College.