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After a record year of launches, SpaceX kicked things off again with the first mission of 2025 on Friday night.

Watch Falcon 9 launch the @Space42ai Thuraya 4 mission to orbit https://t.co/4H732oMbwQ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 4, 2025

A Falcon 9 on the Space42 Thuraya 4 mission carrying a communications satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:27 p.m.

The first-stage booster for this mission made its 20th flight and will aim for a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas.

SpaceX in 2024 flew 88 times from its Space Coast pads at Canaveral and neighboring Kennedy Space Center, accounting for all but five of the Space Coast’s 93 total launches for the year.

It flew another 46 from California setting a new company record of 134 orbital missions for the year, although it was shy of the company’s projected target of 12 launches a month, or 144 total.

The pace for 2025 is expected to be greater, according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. read more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the privacy-minded company of deploying its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on people using its iPhone and other trendy devices.

Actor Chris Evans strikes a heroic pose over “The Sword in the Stone” feature near the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom theme park recently. Evans was vacationing with family and friends at Walt Disney World, the resort says.  Evans has a couple of superhero roles on his resume, including Captain America in 10 films, most recently in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”  He also played Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) in “Fantastic Four” films and as a cameo in last year’s “Deadpool and Wolverine.” Evans also gave voice to Buzz Lightyear in 2022’s “Lightyear” film.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

 

Health care

Philip Koovakada was appointed president of Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando.

Maggie Bonko was appointed president of Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital, Ocoee.

Joe Khayat was appointed president of Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital, Winter Garden.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Cary Meyers has joined AdventHealth Medical Group and will care for patients at AdventHealth Daytona Beach.

Andrii Korchuk was appointed chief financial officer for AdventHealth Waterman, Tavares.

Law

Attorney Shannon Kelly has joined GrayRobinson, Orlando, as a shareholder in the firm’s labor and employment practice.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

James Royal, Ph.D. | (TNS) Bankrate.com

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