SpaceX Falcon 9 Deploys 53 Internet Satellites as Starlink Offers New 'Portability' Feature

A new set of Starlink communications satellites was successfully launched into orbit by SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.

The private space business successfully sent another 53 Starlink satellites into orbit at 5:42 a.m. EDT (0942 GMT) on Friday, May 6, under Starlink 4-17. Unfortunately, Florida Today said most places around KSC could not see the "jellyfish effect" following the launch because of the clouds.

The Falcon 9 first stage has already been launched 12 times, tying it with one another Falcon 9 for the most reused rocket.

(Photo : CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Inspiration4 crew launches from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 15, 2021.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Brings Starlink Satellites To Space

As it launched off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, topped with 53 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites, lit up the predawn sky above Florida.

The Falcon 9 rocket used for this launch has been used for seven Starlink launches and SpaceX's historic Demo-2 launch in May 2020, which brought human spaceflight back to American soil for the first time in almost a decade. A new Netflix documentary called "Return to Space" is on the Demo-2 launch.

Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/Yvw0IDTGa1
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 6, 2022

The landing gears were in the foreground with the sunlight in the backdrop in stunning footage of the first stage reentering Earth's atmosphere in the early morning local time.

ALSO READ: How Do Starlink Gets Its Signal After SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launches 53 More Satellites?

The Falcon 9 first stage landed successfully on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" at 5:51 a.m. EDT, SpaceX said in a tweet. Space.com added it was SpaceX's 111th recovery of a Falcon 9 first stage for reuse.

Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/Yvw0IDTGa1
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 6, 2022

Since the first Starlink launch in May 2019, SpaceX has launched 44 Starlink satellites. Over 1,600 of those satellites are now operational, and SpaceX is presently serving 250,000 Starlink members worldwide.

Starlink Is Now Portable

Meanwhile, TechCrunch said Starlink customers could "temporarily" migrate their service to any location within the same continent as their permanent service address, as long as its satellite availability allows. The add-on will cost $25 per month to users in the United States.

The $25 fee means Starlink's overall price will increase even more, which may be difficult for some to swallow after monthly costs soared to $110 in March. Overall, you'll pay $135 per month for Starlink's basic service, plus the option to jump in the RV and set up high-speed internet anywhere you are inside Starlink's coverage zones and have a clear view of the sky.

To take advantage of this new service, you'll need to move your connecting hardware and put your Starlink dish with a clear line to the sky, free of any tree cover.

Starlink's new portability feature is promising and seems to be working well for other customers.

I’m camping at a remote state park this week with no cell reception. None of my hotspots work (Verizon, AT&T, T-mobile). So set up Starlink and like magic - high speed internet(!). Starlink is changing the game. @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/sfs9ANNIt3
— Dave Lee (@heydave7) May 3, 2022

YouTuber Dave Lee posted a picture of his StarLink connection while camping on his Twitter account. 145 Mbps was his download speed. Unfortunately, Techradar said this new service has several limits, which can be found here.