In a recent development, SpaceX has successfully launched its 42nd Starlink delivery mission of the year. The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking another significant achievement for the private space exploration company.
Launch Details
- Date and Time: The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on September 25, 2023, at 1:48 am PDT (4:48 am EDT, 08:48 UTC).
- Location: The launch took place from the Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
- Direction: After its liftoff, the Falcon 9 headed in a south-easterly direction, targeting a 185×178 mile (297×286 km) orbit, inclined at 53 degrees to the equator.
Booster’s Historic Flight
The first stage booster of the Falcon 9, making its sixth flight, has a rich history. It previously launched the first Tranche 0 mission for the U.S. military’s Space Development Agency and undertook four prior Starlink delivery missions. After completing its burn for this mission, the booster made a successful landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed about 400 miles (644km) downrange in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California.
Starlink’s New Additions
SpaceX deployed 21 v2 mini Starlink satellites just over an hour after the launch. These v2 mini models, introduced earlier this year, are a significant upgrade from the previous v1.5 satellites. They come equipped with advanced antennae and larger solar panels, enabling them to deliver four times the bandwidth of their predecessors.
Starlink’s Growing Footprint
SpaceX’s Starlink project has seen rapid growth since its inception. The company recently announced that it has garnered over two million subscribers from more than 60 countries. Since 2019, SpaceX has launched a whopping 5,178 satellites. Out of these, 4,828 remain in orbit, with 4,776 appearing to function normally.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 21 v2 mini Starlink satellites.
- The first stage booster, on its sixth flight, landed successfully on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You.”
- The newly launched v2 mini Starlink satellites can deliver four times the bandwidth of the previous version.
- SpaceX’s Starlink service now boasts over two million subscribers globally.
SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite deployment, making high-speed internet more accessible worldwide. With each successful launch, the company moves a step closer to its goal of global internet coverage.
