SpaceX Launches 51 Starlink Satellites, Continues Expansion of Global Internet Network
SpaceX successfully launched 51 Starlink internet satellites into orbit, marking the first of two orbital missions planned for the day.
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellites lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, and its first stage landed safely on the SpaceX droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
The upper stage continued hauling the satellites to low Earth orbit and deployed all 51 of them as planned.
SpaceX has now launched almost 4,000 Starlink satellites, which provide internet service to people worldwide.
The company has permission to launch up to 12,000 Starlink craft and has applied for approval to deploy 30,000 more satellites.
The Starlink 2-5 mission began with liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg, a military spaceport about 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
The Falcon 9 rocket flew on an arc downrange from Vandenberg heading south-southeast over the Pacific Ocean to target an orbit inclined 70 degrees to the equator.
The 51 Starlink satellites, each weighing over a quarter-tonne, will beam broadband, low-latency internet services to customers worldwide.
The expansion of the Starlink constellation could improve coverage over lower latitude regions and help alleviate pressure on the network from growing consumer uptake.
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