Falcon 9 launches the new Starlink internet-beaming satellite.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Rocket SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted its heaviest payload into low Earth orbit on Thursday (26/1/2023) morning. Falcon 9 launches the new Starlink internet serial satellite.
First stage propellant Falcon 9 which propel missions during ascent through Earth’s atmosphere have been used eight times before, including on two manned missions to the International Space Station (Crew 3 and Crew 4, which launched in November 2021 and April 2022, respectively).
The 56 Starlink satellites, with a combined weight of 17.4 metric tons (19.4 tons), according to SpaceX commentators, are protected by fairings that were reused five times during the ascent. Reported from Asap Aviation ProcurementThursday (26/1/2023), the aircraft fairing is a structure that functions to produce smooth lines and reduce drag on the surface of the aircraft.
The rocket lifted off smoothly from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida after a 10-minute delay at 0432 EST (0922 GMT).
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The first stages separated about two minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff and began a controlled descent back to Earth. The veteran’s first stage landed without error about eight minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff when it landed on SpaceX’s ‘Just Read the Instructions’ drone ship off the coast of Florida.
Two fairing sections, one on fifth flight and the other on sixth flight, descended from the upper level nose cone shortly after separation of the first stage and plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX said in a webstream it was intended to restore the fairing for further reuse.
Reported from Space, Thursday (26/1/2023), about 55 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX confirmed on Twitter that the satellite was successfully launched into orbit. The launch will add more satellites to SpaceX’s giant Starlink constellation, which provides internet services to customers around the world.
Starlink already comprises more than 3,400 operational satellites, and that staggering number will continue to grow even further into the future. Elon Musk’s company already has permission to fly 12,000 Starlink spacecraft, and has applied for approval to deploy nearly 30,000 more satellites.
Thursday’s (26/1/2023) launch is already the sixth in 2023 for SpaceX and the company’s 205th overall. If the company keeps this cadence—if it’s big, considering it’s still January—it will break its record 61 from its one-year launch, which is set for 2022.
