SpaceX loaded another set of Starlink satellites on Wednesday (April 19).
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 of SpaceX Starlink’s new satellites “V2 mini” lifted off at 10:31 a.m. EST (1431 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, after two minor delays the previous day due to to anonymity. Reason.
About 8 minutes and 26 seconds after launch, the rocket’s first stage landed on SpaceX’s self-driving unmanned vehicle A Shortfall of Gravity near the Atlantic Ocean, recalling a live feed from SpaceX.
It was the space company’s 25th launch in 2023 so far, according to statistics provided in the broadcast, along with the Falcon 9’s eighth first-stage launch overall.
Related: Starlink satellites: everything you need to know
SpaceX’s Starlink V2 mini satellite is designed to be more powerful than previous iterations, enabling greater bandwidth capacity than previous generations, depending on the company (Opens in a new tab). It also features Hall thrusters, which are electric propulsion systems that provide more than twice the thrust of the first generation Starlink satellites. Floor SpaceX (Opens in a new tab).
SpaceX already has more than 4,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, but has plans to increase that number. The company has received regulatory approval to roll out up to 12,000 more Starlink vehicles and is seeking permission to add another 30,000.
While satellites will help bring broadband internet to remote or serviced locations around the world, the number of satellites also has a downside, as astronomers have complained about the Starlink spacecraft interfering with scientific observations.
Wednesday’s mission will be the company’s 25th flight so far in 2023. The first mission to fly previously launched the Hakuto-R private cruiser into lunar orbit and three Starlink missions, as well as other payloads.
When it comes to SpaceX’s upcoming launch, all eyes are on the first space launch of the company’s massive Starship rocket, which is currently targeted for Thursday (April 20). When the spacecraft launches in a historic test flight, it will claim the title of the world’s most powerful rocket and pave the way for a new era of human spaceflight.
This story was updated on April 19 at 7:50 a.m. EST and 9:15 a.m. EST to reflect revised launch times, and at 10:40 a.m. EST to reflect a successful launch.
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