SpaceX Launches 23 Starlink Satellites Aboard Falcon 9 Rocket

SpaceX is set to launch another batch of Starlink satellites. Elon Musk's space agency is dedicated to adding more satellites to orbit to improve Starlink's service.

Space To Launch More Starlink Satellites

SpaceX plans to launch 23 more satellites for Starlink aboard the Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft was scheduled to launch at 2:27 a.m. Wednesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

In case the launch doesn't go through, the backup opportunities are scheduled until 2:59 a.m. on the same day.

The scheduled launch came just a few days after another successful SpaceX lift from the Cape. The 45th Space Wing says there's a 25% possibility that the weather will prevent the launch if the rocket launches; its first stage is predicted to separate and land on a droneship named "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean.

Based on the SpaceX mission description, this will be the 15th launch and landing of the specific rocket. In addition to Crew-3 and Crew-4, which were astronaut trips to the International Space Station (ISS) that launched for NASA in November 2021 and April 2022, respectively, that resume includes six further Starlink flights.

About 65.5 minutes after liftoff, the 23 Starlink satellites are expected to launch from the upper stage of the Falcon 9 into low Earth orbit.

SpaceX has been busy lately. On Friday (Nov. 17), SpaceX also launched 23 Starlink satellites. On Saturday (Nov. 18), it carried out the much-awaited second test flight of its next-generation Starship rocket. On Monday (Nov. 20), the company launched 22 additional Starlinks early in the morning.

SpaceX Making More Flights In 2024

SpaceX intends to achieve unprecedented heights in its launch frequency, surpassing all prior records. More orbital missions have been launched by Elon Musk's company this year than by any other private company in a calendar year. On the other hand, throughout the following 2.5 months, spaceflight activity should increase. The prior record held by SpaceX was 61.

The company is prepared to launch a large number of missions. Currently operating about 5,000 satellites, the company is growing its Starlink megaconstellation of broadband satellites. Furthermore, SpaceX has granted permission to launch 12,000 Starlink satellites, and the company has also asked for permission to establish a further 30,000 spacecraft. The corporation has committed roughly 60% of its launches to Starlink.

Starlink and Starshield

In September, Musk gave an update about SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO announced that Starlink "needs to be a civilian network" and will not be involved in combat.

However, Starshield will be owned by the American government, with the Department of Defense Space Force taking control of the technology. The billionaire genius noted, "This is the right order of things."

Several netizens approved Musk's decision to separate the network for private users and the government.

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.

Join the Discussion

Recommended Stories

Real Time Analytics