
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
SpaceX launched two more batches of Starlink satellites today (Dec. 17), in a pair of launches from both U.S. coasts.
First up was a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 of the broadband internet relay units (Group 6-99) into low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The satellites were successfully deployed about an hour and five minutes after the 8:42 a.m. EST (1342 GMT) liftoff on Wednesday.
"Deployment of 29 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX reported on social media.
The Florida flight's first stage booster (B1094) completed its sixth flight, landing on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Then came 27 more Starlink satellites (Group 15-13), riding atop a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Lifting off at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 GMT or 7:27 a.m. PST local time), the mission was on track to deploy its payload about an hour after leaving the ground.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The 56 (in total) Starlink satellites launched on Wednesday add to SpaceX's megaconstellation, which now numbers more than 9,400 units in orbit. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the globe where other options for connectivity is sparse, as well as enables in-flight wifi and cell-to-satellite service on select carries.
Wednesday's dual launches were SpaceX's 164th and 165th Falcon 9 flight of the year.
latest_posts
- 1
7 Peculiar Ways Of starting Your Imagination: Motivation Has Never Been This Good times - 2
'Stranger Things' star debunks claims of 'unseen footage' from Season 5, Volume 2 as backlash intensifies ahead of the series finale - 3
From invasive species tracking to water security – what’s lost with federal funding cuts at US Climate Adaptation Science Centers - 4
More than half way to the moon, the Artemis II astronauts are grappling with a toilet problem - 5
As infant botulism cases climb to 31, recalled ByHeart baby formula is still on some store shelves
The 10 Most Progressive Logical Disclosures
Lula’s former human rights minister formally accused of sexual misconduct
Saturn's moon Titan may not have a buried ocean as long suspected, new study suggests
UN rights chief: Israel's new Gaza aid agency rules 'outrageous'
NASA shares first photos of Earth taken by Artemis II
Corcept Therapeutics shares surge as lead drug gets FDA nod for ovarian cancer
First stop, the Moon. Next stop, Mars? Why Nasa's mission matters
Florence's Uffizi Gallery moves treasures to safety after cyberattack
Overhaul Your Rest: Tips for a Serene Evening












