SpaceX plans to launch more Starlink satellites from California early Monday morning, October 20. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry 28 satellites to orbit and is set to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The launch window opens at 2:24 a.m. EDT.
You can catch the action live on SpaceX’s website or their X account, starting about five minutes before the launch.
If everything goes smoothly, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth, landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean roughly 8.5 minutes after takeoff. This will be the 11th mission for this particular booster, known as 1088.
As the rocket moves into space, it will take around 60 minutes for the upper stage to deploy the satellites. Once in position, they will add to the Starlink network, which already includes over 8,600 active satellites. This network is the largest constellation of spacecraft ever created.
The rapid growth of Starlink isn’t just about numbers. According to a recent survey by Statista, satellite internet usage has increased by about 40% in the last year alone, highlighting a growing demand for reliable internet, especially in rural areas. Experts believe that the availability of Starlink can bridge the digital divide, providing connectivity to underserved populations.
In 2020, SpaceX first launched Starlink, aiming to improve internet access globally. Two years on, we see not just a push for technological advancement but a potential solution for education, telehealth, and remote work.
The anticipated launch on October 20 was initially set for October 18, which would have marked a significant milestone: the deployment of the 10,000th satellite in the Starlink fleet. This change has piqued interest across social media, with many users excitedly discussing the implications of expanding satellite internet access.
For more details on SpaceX and Starlink, check out their official page here.
