[Their] recent launch of the KPLO is the sixth launch and landing of this particular first-stage booster, which had previously sent up three satellites and two Starlink constellation missions.The set of payload fairings used in this mission have been used three times prior. SpaceX is known for landing this first-stage on land near the launch site or on a drone ship in the ocean. Meanwhile, payload fairings parachute into the water and are picked up by the company’s boats to be reused.

Elon Musk’s mission behind SpaceX is to make life multiplanetary. The key to being successful is rapid reusability. By reusing rocket components, SpaceX can put its technology back into space at a faster rate, multiplying the speed of space exploration. It is also more cost-effective, as Musk has mostly been able to avoid building and wasting entire rockets with each new payload that goes to or returns from space.

South Korea’s KPLO will make its way into lunar orbit in mid-December at a rate significantly slower than most lunar missions. However, this requires the object to expend less fuel. This is because the BLT sends the orbiter toward the Sun before boosting it back to the Moon through its gravitational pull.

SpaceX’s reused Falcon 9 rocket, along with South Korea’s use of BLT, is impacting the world of space sustainability and safety by producing less space waste and spent fuel. Whether its purpose is for efficiency or sustainability, both are ultimately creating a more sustainable and efficient future for space exploration.