SpaceX Expands Its Starlink Satellite Constellation with Latest Launch

SpaceX continues to expand its ever-growing Starlink satellite constellation, launching 23 additional satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) on Monday, November 27, 2023. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 11:20 p.m. EST (0420 GMT on November 28).

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The Falcon 9 successfully executed a vertical landing about 8.5 minutes after launch, touching down on the droneship "Just Read the Instructions" stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast. This marked the 17th launch and landing for this particular booster.

The 23 Starlink satellites are expected to deploy from the Falcon 9's upper stage into LEO approximately 65.5 minutes after liftoff. These satellites will join the existing Starlink network, which already boasts over 5,000 operational spacecraft, providing high-speed internet access to people worldwide.

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SpaceX has received regulatory approval to launch up to 12,000 Starlink satellites into LEO and has applied for an additional 30,000, indicating the company's ambitious plans to further expand its satellite constellation. As the Starlink network grows, it will continue to enhance internet connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

The successful launch of these additional Starlink satellites demonstrates SpaceX's unwavering commitment to expanding its satellite constellation and revolutionizing global internet access.