SpaceX is gearing up for another mission to launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit. The launch is scheduled to take place early Tuesday at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will be utilized to send 21 Starlink satellites into space. The launch is set for 2:57 a.m. EDT and will be streamed live on SpaceX’s website.
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket will attempt to land on the SpaceX droneship, Of Course I Still Love You, in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This will mark the 11th launch and landing for this particular booster.
After about 62 minutes of liftoff, the Falcon 9’s upper stage is expected to deploy the Starlink satellites into their designated orbits.
This launch is part of SpaceX’s ambitious Starlink project, which aims to provide global internet coverage through a megaconstellation of satellites. Currently, there are over 4,600 operational Starlink satellites in orbit, and SpaceX plans to eventually increase that number to as many as 42,000.
This mission is significant for SpaceX as it will be their 64th launch of the year, surpassing their previous record of 61 launches set last year. SpaceX has been dominating the space industry in terms of launch frequency and continues to lead the world in space missions.
Stay tuned to witness another milestone in SpaceX’s Starlink mission as they deploy more satellites to expand their global internet coverage.