SpaceX set to launch 23 Starlink satellites today
Satellites have been scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida
November 25, 2024
SpaceX has planned to launch another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida’s Coast on early Monday morning (November 25).
During a 3.5 hour window that opens at 4:35am EST (0935GMT), a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink spacecraft, including 12 with direct-to-smartphone capability, has been scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday, reported Space.com.
About eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth, touching down on the droneship, if all goes according to plan.
Notably, for this particular booster, it will be the 13th launch and landing, according to a SpaceX mission description. Moreover, six of its 12 flights to date have been Starlink missions.
Upper stage of the Falcon 9 will continue hauling the 23 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. Additionally, about 65 minutes after liftoff, it's scheduled to deploy them there.
According to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, Starlink is the largest satellite constellation ever built, consisting of more than 6,600 active spacecraft.
In 2024, SpaceX has conducted 115 Falcon 9 missions so far and nearly 70% of them have been Starlink flights.
