
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
Analysis-From 'Icarus bug' to flawed panels: Airbus counts cost of relying on single model - 2
Scientists solve the mystery of 'impossible' merger of 'forbidden' black holes - 3
Santa's sleigh or the International Space Station? How to spot a bright Christmas flyby Dec. 24 and 25 - 4
The 1 question we have to ask ourselves about the Taylor Frankie Paul 'Bachelorette' scandal - 5
7 Delightful Ferris Wheels, Do You Like Them?
Shooting of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro has police searching for a suspect
Vote in favor of your Favored sort of footwear
Select Your Go-To Bluetooth Earphones
Choosing the Ideal Bed for Quality Rest and Solace
Instructions to Expand Your Smash 1500's Presentation: Tips and Deceives
This Unique National Park In Canada Is Famous For Its Otherworldly Limestone Monoliths
75% of US adults may meet criteria for obesity under new definition, study finds
‘Aid for Ukraine’ pierogi fundraiser event
New movies to watch this week: See 'Marty Supreme' in theaters, rent 'Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,' stream 'Cover-Up' on Netflix













