SpaceX achieved a remarkable feat by launching 27 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Launched Complex 40 at 12:26 a.m. EDT, just two days after a previous launch from the same pad. This accomplishment shattered SpaceX's prior record for rapid launchpad reuse, with only two days, eight hours, and thirty-one minutes separating the missions . The efficient turnaround exemplifies SpaceX's commitment to increasing satellite deployment frequency and reducing costs through innovative reuse strategies.
Falcon 9 rocketd carrying the broadband internet satellites lifted off at 12:26 a.m. and 1:13 p.m. EDT (0426 and 1713 GMT) on Saturday, the first from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and the second from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The new additions for SpaceX's megaconstellation (Group 10-34 and Group 15-7) each reached low Earth orbit about 9 minutes after they left the ground and were deployed approximately an hour later.
SpaceX has one more Falcon 9 launch scheduled for Saturday, June 28, which is the Starlink 15-7 mission. That will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base with a planned liftoff time of 9:47 a.m. PDT (12:47 p.m. EDT, 1647 UTC).
the launch was the 497th Falcon 9 flight to date, coming on the 10th anniversary of the company’s seventh Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-7) mission to the International Space Station. That mission ended abruptly with an in-flight anomaly, but it resulted in a notable block upgrade for the Falcon 9 rocket that’s still in use today.
Starlink 15-7 mission. That will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base with a planned liftoff time of 9:47 a.m. PDT (12:47 p.m. EDT, 1647 UTC).
Saturday morning’s launch was the 497th Falcon 9 flight to date, coming on the 10th anniversary of the company’s seventh Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-7) mission to the International Space Station. That mission ended abruptly with an in-flight anomaly, but it resulted in a notable block upgrade for the Falcon 9 rocket that’s still in use today.
The Falcon 9 booster utilized for this mission marked its 27th flight, further solidifying its status as one of the most reliable launch vehicles in operation . This record-breaking achievement underscores not only the technological advancements made by SpaceX but also their strategic focus on maximizing the utility of their boosters. Such developments are pivotal in addressing growing demands for satellite internet services and enhancing global connectivity.
As SpaceX continues to dominate the aerospace sector with frequent launches and successful landings, it sets new standards for efficiency and sustainability in space exploration . The recent overnight Starlink liftoff is a testament to these advancements and highlights SpaceX's role as a leader in reshaping how we approach satellite deployment and space missions.
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