Aerospace company SpaceX continues to systematically increase the number of satellites that are part of the Starlink orbital group. This time, 28 communications satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit.
Image source: Spacex
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 21:51 local time on May 1 (04:51 Moscow time on May 2). The rocket’s nine Merlin engines shut down about 2.5 minutes into the flight, causing the first stage to separate. A few minutes later, it made a soft landing on the Just Read the Instructions floating platform off the coast of Florida in the Pacific Ocean. This was the first stage’s 18th flight.
At the same time, the second stage, together with the satellites, continued to gain altitude, and about an hour after the launch, the devices were successfully deployed in low Earth orbit. For several days, they will maneuver, after which they will join the Starlink group, consisting of more than 7,200 satellites. The company offers its customers broadband Internet access services from almost anywhere on the planet, with the exception of the poles.
The mission marks SpaceX’s 51st launch this year using Falcon 9 rockets. Of those, 34 missions have been to expand the Starlink satellite constellation. In addition, the company has conducted two test launches of its giant Starship rocket.