SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully made its first mission of 2022 on Jan. 6, launching a slew of Starlink broadband satellites into orbit from its launch pad in Florida.
The extra 49 Starlink broadband satellites launched by SpaceX are expected to increase the internet company's constellation. The newest SpaceX Starlink mission brings the total number of broadband satellites in orbit to around 2,000.
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - MAY 30: In this NASA handout image, A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen prior to launch on NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 First Launch in 2022
According to Fox59, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:49 p.m. on its mission to launch the Starlink 4-5 satellites of billionaire Elon Musk's space research enterprise.
In all, the payload of SpaceX's maiden launch in 2022 carried up to 49 Starlink broadband satellites.
Meanwhile, according to a report from Space.com, the first stage of the SpaceX rocket returned to Earth following its launch, where it landed down the company's newest drone ship, the "Shortfall of Gravitas."
As a result, SpaceX's Falcon 9 Starlink satellite mission represents the company's first successful launch in 2022.
During the launch broadcast, SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson said the Falcon 9 has successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center.
Furthermore, after more than an hour following the launch, SpaceX's official Twitter account confirmed that the placement of the 49 Starlink satellites had been successful.
Deployment of 49 Starlink satellites confirmed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 6, 2022
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What's In Store For SpaceX In 2022
According to SpaceNews, SpaceX's first launch in 2022 comes only months after the Musk-led company set a new record by completing 31 orbital missions in 2021. It's worth noting that the Falcon 9 rocket is responsible for all of these space missions. On three Crew Dragon missions, the business also launched a total of 12 astronauts, including four private citizens who flew as part of the Inspiration4 mission.
As the firm extends its ever-growing broadband constellation, SpaceX will strive to maintain its quick launch tempo this year. This month, the business will launch its third dedicated rideshare mission, which will send a slew of tiny satellites into orbit.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has yet to announce flying missions for 2022. However, Tom Ochinero, the space firm's vice president of commercial sales, confirmed some of the company's forthcoming flights on Dec. 13.
This year, according to the SpaceX executive, three crewed flights will be launched, as well as five Falcon Heavy launches. Furthermore, Ochinero stated that SpaceX would have a more interesting year in 2022.
Following that launch on Jan. 13, the corporation will send a radar surveillance satellite into orbit an Italian space agency. The satellite, known as COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG 2), is set to launch on Jan. 24.
RELATED ARTICLE: Experts Reveal That 3% Of SpaceX's Starlink Satellites Have Failed In Orbit So Far
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