SpaceX Launched Two Batches Of Starlink Satellites Tonight
SpaceX has launched two more batches of Starlink internet satellites. It was the 18th launch from the Florida center and the ninth from California. This is the eighth and ninth launch this year.
The first launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 28 at 18:15 local time. The Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched with 23 satellites on board. Another 22 Starlink spacecraft took off from the US Space Force’s Vandenberg site in California on January 28 at 21:57 local time.
Less than nine minutes after launch, both first stages of the launch vehicles returned to Earth and made a soft landing on special SpaceX floating platforms. This was the 18th flight for the first stage of the rocket launched from Florida, and the 9th for the rocket launched from California. The record for reusing Falcon 9 first stages was set last month and now stands at 19 times.
According to SpaceX, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus robotic cargo ship is scheduled to launch on January 30 on a Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station. SpaceX previously said it plans to complete 144 orbital missions this year. Elon Musk’s company launched 74 orbital missions in 2023, more than any other private company. About 60% of SpaceX’s launches in 2023 were for Starlink missions.
