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SpaceX sent out yet one more set of its Starlink net satellites to orbit tonight (Oct. 18).
A Falcon 9 rocket covered with 20 Starlink craft, consisting of 13 with direct-to-cell ability, took off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station tonight at 7:31 p.m. EDT (2331 GMT).
The Falcon 9’s initial stage returned to Planet regarding 8.5 mins after liftoff as intended, touchdown on the SpaceX drone ship “Simply Check out the Directions” in the Atlantic Sea.
It was the 17th launch and touchdown for this specific booster, according to a SpaceX mission description.
The Falcon 9’s top phase, on the other hand, proceeded carrying the Starlink satellites tolow Earth orbit It will certainly release them there regarding 64 mins after liftoff, if all mosts likely to strategy.
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The brand-new set will certainly sign up with the big and ever-growing Starlink megaconstellation, which presently contains greater than 6,400 active spacecraft, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. Concerning 230 of those satellites are direct-to-cell craft.
SpaceX has actually released 96 Falcon 9 objectives up until now in 2024, two-thirds of them committed to constructing out the Starlink network. The firm has actually additionally released 2 Falcon Heavy objectives and 3 examination trips of its Starship megarocket this year.
Editor’s note: This tale was upgraded at 7:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 18 with information of effective launch and rocket touchdown.