SpaceX continues to illuminate the night sky with its ambitious Starlink project. Early Wednesday morning (April 10th), a Falcon 9 rocket roared to life from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying a fresh batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites.
Boosting the Constellation
This successful launch brings the total number of Starlink satellites launched in 2024 to 36. These satellites will join the ever-growing constellation in low Earth orbit, aiming to provide high-speed broadband internet access to underserved areas around the globe.
Liftoff and Beyond
The powerful Falcon 9 rocket lit up the pre-dawn darkness with a fiery ascent. After a smooth liftoff, the first stage successfully returned to Earth, landing on the drone ship "Just Read the Instructions" stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, the second stage continued its journey, deploying the 23 Starlink satellites into their designated orbits approximately 65 minutes after liftoff.
FAQ - SpaceX's Starlink Mission
Starlink is a mega-constellation of internet satellites being built by SpaceX. These satellites aim to deliver broadband internet access to remote and underserved areas.
With this latest launch, the total number of operational Starlink satellites is steadily growing.
Yes, under the right conditions, Starlink satellites can be visible as faint streaks of light moving across the night sky. There are even websites and apps that can help you predict when and where you might be able to see them.