SpaceX launched a payload of 20 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit on Friday, 18th October 2024. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink internet satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities, was lifted from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The first stage of Falcon 9’s came back to Earth just after 8.5 minutes after it was launched and sent to orbit. The mission happened successfully as planned. It landed on the SpaceX drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to inner sources, the upper stage aims to send the Starlink internet satellites to the earth’s lower orbit. The predetermined time is 64 minutes after the liftoff. The SpaceX mission also put out the report that it will be the 17th launch and landing of the booster. Jonathan Mc Dowell, British-American astronomer and astrophysicist stated that the new set of payloads that is sent will be joining the large Starlink mega constellation. This satellite network developed by Space X has a life span of approximately five years. SpaceX hopes to have close to 42,000 satellites in the Starlink mega constellation.
On 17th October 2024, a warning was issued by the 45th Weather Squadron regarding the launch of the satellite that would be taking place on the next day. The weather reports revealed only a 45 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the liftoff of the booster. A strong onshore flow was also predicted as part of the high pressure across the U.S. But despite all the concerns the mission marked a milestone by having a successful landing for the 94th time.
With the successful landing of the 20 Starlink V2 satellite network, the total number of DTC-launched satellites now stands at the number of 259. SpaceX released the first images of the upgraded version of the new Starlink satellite networks or the Starlink V2 Mini before the launch that took place in February 2023. The company has chosen to refer to the newly introduced design as “V2 Mini”.
Even though the satellite is smaller in size as the name suggests, it was said to have four times better communication capacities than the previous generation satellite like Version 1.5. The launching of the Starlink V2 Mini satellites was considered a significant step taken by SpaceX to enhance its satellite networks and deploy its new-generation Starship rocket.
This also gave the cue that the company was slowly trying to enhance and foster its Starship rocket which contains 10 times more payload capabilities than the Falcon 9. However, the launching of the Starship rocket was delayed for some time due to some developmental problems.
SpaceX initially started the goal of providing internet facilities in January 2015. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX stated initially that they aimed to place 4,200 satellites in the lower orbit of the Earth. The Starlink satellite is known to provide low-cost internet around the globe while having a special focus on remote areas.
The launching of the new Starlink V2 Mini satellite was an initiative to enhance and provide more effective internet services to the world. In the present times, the company has now proven successful in launching the 20 Starlink V2 Mini satellite network with a successful landing in the drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Considering the records of 2024, SpaceX has successfully launched over 96 Falcon 9 missions. Out of the 96 two-thirds are dedicated to building out the Starlink network. The inner sources also reveal that the company is expected to launch two Falcon Heavy missions and three test flights of the Starship rocket. The launching of the 20 Starlink V2 satellite networks is also set to mark a milestone as it has brought the total number of orbital launches to 71 in Florida.
