SpaceX launched 56 older-generation Starlink internet satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, according to SpaceflightNow, while ground teams troubleshoot issues with the upgraded Starlink satellites launched last month. The first stage of the rocket landed on SpaceX’s drone ship in the Atlantic, while the 56 Starlink satellites were successfully deployed into an orbit of about 200 miles above Earth. SpaceX’s mission next week will also carry more than 50 Starlink internet satellites.
There are concerns about the status of the new upgraded Starlink V2 Mini satellites, which began gradually descending in mid-March after raising their altitude to nearly 240 miles.
Liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket with 56 more Starlink internet satellites, kicking off SpaceX's 20th launch of the year. https://t.co/biik6N2uq6 pic.twitter.com/0t6MpaqR8h
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) March 24, 2023
This 10X time-lapse replay shows SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster soaring high above the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas after blasting off from Cape Canaveral today.
The 15-story-tall reusable booster landed on a drone ship to wrap up its 10th flight to space.https://t.co/biik6N2uq6 pic.twitter.com/80f0Pg9Rge
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) March 24, 2023
Starlink satellites are relatively small and streamlined, with a flat rectangular shape and rounded corners. They measure about 4 meters wide by 1 meter tall, and weigh around 260 kg each. They have a distinctive flat-panel design that allows them to communicate efficiently with ground stations and other satellites in the Starlink network. The satellites are also equipped with ion thrusters for propulsion and maneuvering in space. When in orbit, the satellites are visible from the ground as a train of bright lights moving across the sky, although the exact appearance may vary depending on factors such as altitude and viewing conditions.
Elon Musk’s plan to send Starlink satellites into orbit to provide internet to remote regions of the planet is technically feasible, as demonstrated by the successful launches and operations of hundreds of Starlink satellites to date. However, there are some challenges to the practical implementation of the plan.
One major challenge is the cost of producing and launching so many satellites. While SpaceX has been able to reduce the cost of rocket launches through reusable rockets, the cost of manufacturing and launching Starlink satellites is still significant. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of launching so many satellites, as well as the potential for collisions and other risks in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.