CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — After a short delay, SpaceX launched more than 20 Starlink satellites on Friday night.
What You Need To Know
- The Starlink 6-49 mission was launched at 9:40 p.m. ET
- The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 40
Liftoff of Falcon 9! pic.twitter.com/aMZKAFr897
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 13, 2024
The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX.
The launch of the Starlink 6-49 mission happened at 9:40 p.m. ET. It was supposed to start at 9:22 p.m. ET but SpaceX did not explain why there was a delay.
The launch conditions were good at about 95% with only liftoff winds being a concern, stated the 45th Weather Squadron.
If there was a scrub, the next attempt would have been on Saturday, April 13, starting at 9:04 p.m. ET.
Taking off
This is the 20th launch for SpaceX’s first-stage booster B1062. Here is a list of the missions it has successfully launched before this one:
After the stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Falcon 9 lands on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship – completing the first 20th launch and landing of a booster! pic.twitter.com/G0w4IlXzNP
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 13, 2024
About the mission
The 23 Starlink satellites will join thousands of its mechanical brothers and sisters that are already up in low-Earth orbit.
Starlink, a SpaceX company, stated the satellites provide internet service.
Before the launch, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’ Dr. Jonathan McDowell recorded the following information about the Starlink satellites.
- 5,787 are in orbit
- 5,721 in working order
- 5,196 are in operational orbit
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
