SpaceX introduced but any other batch of its Starlink satellites to orbit nowadays (Sept. 20).A Falcon 9 rocket wearing 20 Starlink craft lifted off from Vandenberg House Drive Base on California’s foggy central coast nowadays at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT and six:50 a.m. native California time).The Falcon 9’s first level got here again to Earth as deliberate, touchdown at the SpaceX drone send “Of Direction I Nonetheless Love You” within the Pacific Ocean about 8 mins after release.
The primary level of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket comes down for a touchdown on a boat at sea on Sept. 20, 2024 (left) whilst the rocket’s higher level carries 20 Starlink web satellites to orbit (proper). (Symbol credit score: SpaceX)It used to be the thirteenth release and touchdown for this actual booster, in keeping with a SpaceX challenge description. Ten of the ones flights had been Starlink missions.Comparable: Starlink satellite tv for pc teach: How you can see and observe it within the evening skySpaceX has introduced greater than 7,000 satellites so far for Starlink, its megaconstellation in low Earth orbit that gives web provider to consumers around the globe. Greater than 6,300 of the ones spacecraft are energetic nowadays, in keeping with satellite tv for pc tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.13 of the 20 Starlink craft that went up nowadays can beam provider at once to cell phones, a moderately new capacity SpaceX is construction out in LEO. The primary direct-to-cell Starlink satellites went up in January 2024, and greater than 100 now circle Earth.Signal as much as the publication for the newest updates on rocket launches, skywatching occasions and extra!SpaceX has now introduced 91 Falcon 9 missions in 2024, 62 of which were Starlink flights.The corporate’s release tally general for the yr is 94. That quantity comprises one challenge of its robust Falcon Heavy rocket and two take a look at flights of Starship, the enormous new automobile SpaceX is creating with hopes of settling the moon and Mars.
