SpaceX has successfully launched a fresh batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites at 11:32 am EDT. The Falcon 9 assigned to the mission was the B1060.3. The booster launched from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Today’s Starlink Launch: An Overview
Approximately 9 minutes after launch, the first-stage successfully landed on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship. The ship is one of SpaceX’s two recovery vessels that catch descending boosters and return them to port.
The B1060.3 has now performed its third successful launch in total. It has been reused two times so far.
The launch marks SpaceX’s nineteenth mission during 2020, and Starlink’s fifteenth mission overall. The aerospace company has deployed a total 895 Starlink satellites into orbit thus far.
Following Today’s Launch: What’s Next for SpaceX?
The aerospace company is trying to accelerate its cadence of Starlink missions. Today’s launch was effectively the second Starlink mission within five days.
SpaceX has endured a rough patch between mid-September and early October. The company was forced to push back five launches in the span of three weeks. More specifically, it stood down from launching the Starlink-12 mission four times, and the GPS III SV-04 mission once.
However, SpaceX is on track to roll out a public beta service in the upcoming weeks, as confirmed by CEO Elon Musk.
Additionally, SpaceX was granted a Basic International Telecommunications Services (BITS) license in Canada. The license authorizes the company as a telecom provider, to carry international telecommunications traffic between Canada and other countries.
More and more clients are signing up for Starlink beta service. The Ector County independent announced yesterday their enrollment.
According to a statement released by the County, Starlink’s service will connect up to 45 households in the community. The statement also outlined an additional 90 households in the school district will be connected to the service as Starlink’s network capabilities expand.
Satellite internet is set to become the quintessential broadband service through the efforts of SpaceX
5 Responses
When will this internet service be available to the individual people in the SW United States?
Hello,… So happy things are going so well. We’re living in a great age of space and telecommunications.
I’m in East Texas. And I am out of reach of everything but Hughes net. Well…. that’s gonna happen. 😄
Looking forward to Starlink service here in our little piece of paradise. Bring it on. I really need it for work and play. Make me a beta tester. I’ll give it a workout. LOL Continued success.
Matt