SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk, is set to launch 24 of its Starlink internet satellites today from Florida. This mission marks the 18th launch of the year for SpaceX, with many more planned in the coming weeks and months.
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 4:59 p.m. EST (2159 GMT), and you can watch the live coverage on SpaceX’s X account. The coverage will begin approximately five minutes before the window opens.
If all goes according to plan, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It will make a vertical landing on the SpaceX droneship named “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This particular booster has already completed 12 flights, making this its 13th launch and landing. Notably, eight of its previous flights have been Starlink missions.
While the first stage returns to Earth, the rocket’s upper stage will continue its journey towards low Earth orbit. Approximately 65 minutes after launch, it will deploy the 24 Starlink satellites into space.
SpaceX has been making significant progress in its ambitious plans for satellite launches. This year alone, the company aims to complete 144 orbital missions. Their recent launches have been particularly noteworthy. Just a few days ago, SpaceX celebrated its 300th successful Falcon 9 liftoff by launching an Indonesian telecom satellite called Merah Putih 2. Additionally, a Starlink launch on February 22nd marked the 19th flight for a Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, tying SpaceX’s record for rocket reuse.
The Starlink satellite constellation is a crucial part of SpaceX’s vision to provide global broadband coverage. By launching thousands of small satellites into low Earth orbit, SpaceX aims to create a network that can deliver high-speed internet access to even the most remote areas of the world. With each successful launch, the company moves closer to achieving this goal.
As SpaceX continues its rapid pace of launches, space enthusiasts and technology enthusiasts alike eagerly await each mission. The company’s dedication to reusability and innovation has revolutionized the space industry, making space exploration and satellite deployment more accessible and cost-effective.
Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX’s future missions as they push the boundaries of what is possible in space technology.
