SpaceX back-to-back launches of its Starlink satellites
On the night of January 28-29, SpaceX executed a dual launch of Starlink satellites from both the eastern and western coasts of the United States.
The initial launch occurred on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. EST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket successfully deployed 23 Starlink spacecraft into orbit, enhancing SpaceX’s expanding constellation designed for global internet coverage. The combined payload mass reached 2315 kilograms.
Subsequently, the second launch took place on Monday at 12:57 a.m. EST from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Another Falcon 9 rocket was tasked with launching 22 additional Starlink satellites, contributing to SpaceX’s ambitious project.
These consecutive launches highlight SpaceX’s dedication to swiftly deploying its satellite constellation. The goal of the Starlink network is to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access globally, especially in underserved and remote regions. With these rapid launches, SpaceX continues to advance its mission of transforming global connectivity through the ambitious Starlink initiative. The dual-coast launches showcase the company’s ability to effectively manage satellite deployments from different locations, marking another milestone in the ever-expanding space-based internet venture.
As anticipated, both Falcon 9 first stages completed successful landings on a SpaceX drone ship about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This marked the 18th launch and landing for the Kennedy Space Center booster and the ninth for the Vandenberg-launched one, nearing Space reuse record of 19 launches set just last month.
The Falcon 9 upper stages continued their ascent into low Earth orbit, deploying each batch of Starlink satellites a little over an hour after liftoff. These launches contributed to Space impressive start to the year, marking the eighth and ninth missions in 2024. SpaceX aims for a total of 144 orbital missions this year.
Notably, another Space mission is on the horizon, with a Falcon 9 scheduled to launch Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft to the International Space Station on Tuesday, January 30.
The Starlink doubleheader on Sunday held a poignant connection to history, coinciding with the somber anniversary of NASA’s space shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, when the shuttle broke apart less than two minutes after liftoff, resulting in the loss of all seven astronauts aboard.