SpaceX Launches More Starlink Satellites Successfully Tonight
| SpaceX Launches Third Starlink Mission This Week |
 |
"3, 2, 1 and liftoff. Go SpaceX, go Starlink." These were the words that marked another successful launch for SpaceX, just an hour ago. The company's third launch from our space coast this week, took more Starlink satellites into orbit. |
| Launch Details |
This latest launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing effort to expand its constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites. The mission aims to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity across the globe. |
| Starlink Satellites |
The Starlink satellites are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet services. Each satellite is equipped with Hall effect thrusters and a phased array antenna to enable precision beamforming and steering. |
| Launch Site |
The launch took place at SpaceX's Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. This is the company's third launch from this site this week. |
| Upcoming Missions |
SpaceX has a busy launch schedule ahead, with several more Starlink missions planned in the coming weeks and months. The company is also preparing for other high-profile launches, including crewed missions to the International Space Station. |
Note: Replace "image_url" with the actual URL of an image related to the article.
| SpaceX Launch |
SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company founded in 2002 by Elon Musk. The company's primary goal is to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars. |
| Background |
In 2008, SpaceX became the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit with its Falcon 1 launch vehicle. In 2010, the company launched its Dragon spacecraft into orbit and returned it safely to Earth, marking the first time a commercial company had accomplished this feat. |
| Launch Vehicles |
SpaceX has developed several launch vehicles, including the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship. The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket used for launching satellites, spacecraft, and cargo to the International Space Station. The Falcon Heavy is a heavy-lift version of the Falcon 9, capable of carrying larger payloads. Starship is a next-generation launch vehicle designed for long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. |
| Missions |
SpaceX has launched numerous satellites, spacecraft, and cargo to orbit, including NASA's Dragon resupply missions to the International Space Station. The company has also launched several commercial communications satellites and is contracted to launch a lunar mission for NASA's Artemis program. |
| Date: March 9, 2023 |
Launch Time: 10:01 PM EST (0301 GMT) |
|
|
| Launch Vehicle: |
Falcon 9 |
| Payload: |
55 Starlink satellites |
| Orbit: |
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) |
| Landing Site: |
A drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, "A Shortfall of Gravitas" |
|
The launch marked the 13th batch of Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX this year and brings the total number of operational Starlink satellites to over 4,000. The Starlink constellation is designed to provide global internet connectivity and has already been used in various parts of the world.
|
| Notable Features: |
- The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage, B1062, flew for the seventh time and successfully landed on the drone ship.
- This launch set a new record for the most Starlink satellites launched on a single mission.
- The Starlink satellites are equipped with laser inter-satellite links, allowing them to communicate directly with each other.
|
| Q1: What is Starlink? |
Starlink is a satellite constellation project developed by SpaceX, aiming to provide global internet connectivity. |
| Q2: How many satellites did SpaceX launch tonight? |
SpaceX launched 60 new Starlink satellites into orbit, bringing the total number of operational Starlink satellites to over 1,400. |
| Q3: What is the purpose of the Starlink constellation? |
The primary goal of Starlink is to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas around the world. |
| Q4: How will the Starlink satellites communicate with Earth? |
The Starlink satellites will use phased array antennas to communicate directly with user terminals on the ground, which can be as small as a laptop. |
| Q5: What is the expected speed of the Starlink internet service? |
The Starlink internet service is expected to offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps (gigabit per second), which is comparable to high-end fiber-optic connections. |
| Q6: When will the Starlink internet service be available for public use? |
The Starlink internet service is expected to enter commercial operation in late 2022, with a global rollout planned for 2023. |
| Q7: How much will the Starlink internet service cost? |
The exact pricing of the Starlink internet service has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be competitive with existing satellite and fiber-optic services. |
| Q8: What is the lifespan of a Starlink satellite? |
The Starlink satellites are designed to have a lifespan of around 5 years, after which they will deorbit and burn up in the atmosphere. |
| Q9: How many launches does SpaceX plan for the Starlink constellation? |
SpaceX plans to launch thousands of Starlink satellites over the next few years, with a goal of launching up to 42,000 satellites in total. |
| Q10: What is the significance of tonight's launch? |
Tonight's launch marks another milestone in the development of the Starlink constellation, bringing SpaceX closer to achieving its goal of providing global internet connectivity. |
| Rank |
Pioneers/Companies |
Contribution |
| 1 |
Elon Musk (SpaceX) |
Founded SpaceX, pioneering private space exploration and satellite internet constellation Starlink. |
| 2 |
NASA (USA) |
Pioneered government-funded space exploration, including satellite launches and deep space missions. |
| 3 |
OneWeb |
Developing a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide global internet connectivity. |
| 4 |
Amazon (Kuiper Systems) |
Launching a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide broadband internet globally. |
| 5 |
SES (Luxembourg) |
Operating a large fleet of geostationary satellites providing telecommunications and broadcasting services. |
| 6 |
Intelsat (USA) |
Providing satellite communications services, including broadband internet and media broadcasting. |
| 7 |
Eutelsat (France) |
Operating a fleet of geostationary satellites providing telecommunications, broadcasting, and data services. |
| 8 |
Telesat (Canada) |
Providing satellite communications services, including broadband internet and media broadcasting. |
| 9 |
LeoSat (USA) |
Developing a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide secure and high-speed data connectivity. |
| 10 |
Planet Labs (USA) |
Operating a fleet of small satellites providing Earth imaging and remote sensing services. |
| Mission Details |
Specifications |
| Mission Name: |
Starlink-28 |
| Launch Vehicle: |
Falcon 9 (Block 5) |
| Launch Site: |
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Space Launch Complex 40 |
| Launch Date/Time: |
March 14, 2023, 06:01 UTC (2:01 AM EDT) |
| Payload: |
53 x Starlink satellites |
| Total Payload Mass: |
approximately 16,800 kg (37,000 lbs) |
| Orbit: |
Sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 550 km (342 miles) altitude |
| Inclination: |
97.8 degrees |
| Launch Vehicle Details: |
Falcon 9 B1062, previously flown on Crew-1 and Transporter-1 missions |
| Recovery Attempts: |
Yes, the booster will attempt to land on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship in the Atlantic Ocean |
| Payload Fairing: |
Flight-proven payload fairing, previously flown on Starlink-24 mission |
| Grid Fins: |
Titanium alloy grid fins with electro-mechanical actuators for attitude control during re-entry and landing |
| Main Engines: |
9 x Merlin 1D+ engines, each producing approximately 845 kN (190,000 lbf) of thrust at sea level |
| Vacuum Engines: |
Merlin Vacuum engine, producing approximately 934 kN (210,000 lbf) of thrust in vacuum |
| Fuel: |
RP-1 (refined petroleum-1) and liquid oxygen |
| Satellite Details |
Specifications |
| Satellite Name: |
Starlink-28-1 to Starlink-28-53 |
| Manufacturer: |
SpaceX, in partnership with Ball Aerospace and others |
| Satellite Mass: |
approximately 227 kg (500 lbs) each |
| Dimensions: |
1.13 x 0.78 x 0.34 meters (3.7 x 2.6 x 1.1 feet) |
| Antenna Type: |
Phased array antennas for Ka- and Ku-band communication |
| Propulsion: |
Hall effect thrusters (HETs) with xenon gas propellant |
| Power Generation: |
Single solar panel per satellite, generating approximately 100 watts of power |
| Expected Lifespan: |
approximately 5 years |
|