SpaceX achieved another milestone early Sunday morning (Nov. 24) with the successful launch of 20 Starlink satellites, further expanding its growing internet mega-constellation. The mission, carried out by a Falcon 9 rocket, took off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 12:25 a.m. EST (0525 GMT; 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 23 local time).
Credit: SpaceX
Notably, 13 of the satellites deployed in this mission are equipped with technology capable of providing direct smartphone connectivity, advancing SpaceX’s goal of global internet coverage.
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage completed a flawless return, landing on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 15th successful launch and landing for this particular booster, 12 of which have supported Starlink missions, according to SpaceX's mission details.
The rocket's upper stage delivered the satellites to low Earth orbit about an hour after liftoff. SpaceX confirmed the deployment in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Sunday’s mission marks the 115th Falcon 9 launch of 2024, with nearly 70% of these flights dedicated to Starlink. The initiative, the largest satellite network ever constructed, now boasts over 6,600 active satellites in orbit. With each new launch, the constellation continues to expand, enhancing its capacity to deliver global high-speed internet.
This latest mission underscores SpaceX's relentless push to revolutionize global connectivity, one satellite at a time.
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