SpaceX launches 60 more Starlink internet satellites - and hits reusability milestones
- by Nick Cohen
- in Industry
- — Nov 17, 2019
The online publication mentioned above notes that the satellites which are built at a SpaceX facility in Redmond, Washington, "will blast off on top of a Falcon 9 rocket Monday at 9:56 a.m. EST (1456 GMT) from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad".
SpaceX designed Starlink to connect end users with low-latency and high-bandwidth broadband services by providing continual coverage around the world using a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, according to the company.
However, amongst the die-hard SpaceX fans watching the launch, many whose job or passion it is to watch and record the night skies will also be keeping an eye out on the developments that occur after 60 fully operational Starlink satellites, each weighing about 227 kilograms, are deployed.
It came after SpaceX deployed its first batch of 60 Starlink satellites into the orbits on May 23.
Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9's first stage on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The booster had flown three times before - so today's mission marked the first time the same rocket booster has been launched and recovered four times.
Space fans were pleased.
Earlier than orbit elevate, SpaceX engineers had been to behavior data opinions to make certain all Starlink satellites are running as supposed. The company desires its satellites to save enough fuel for the flight back home after they finish their business in space; it's the company's plan to ensure its satellites don't contribute to space junk.
According to SpaceX, 1,440 of the flat-panel satellites will be able to provide Internet service over the populated world, according to reports. 22 that those broadband satellites are functioning. The astrophysicist noted that due to their brightness, the satellites can be easily spotted from Earth even without using telescopes.
SpaceX Starlink satellites are part of Elon Musk's commitment to reduce the space debris problem.
Musk said it needed at least 12 launches of other satellites to realize his goal of providing consistent internet coverage worldwide. "This would provide connectivity to people that don't have any connectivity today or where it's extremely expensive and unreliable".
SpaceX will probably have just about 12,000 satellites working in a low-Earth orbit, with plans to launch an extra 30,000 satellites later on. Musk stated Starlink could create $30 billion or more in revenue each year for SpaceX.
