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SpaceX’s 40th Mission of the Year
SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th mission of the year this evening. A Falcon 9 rocket will carry 23 Starlink internet satellites and is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 6:40 p.m. EDT.
Live Streaming of the Launch
SpaceX will livestream the launch via its Twitter account, beginning approximately five minutes before the launch window opens. If successful, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth about 8.5 minutes after launch, making a vertical landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.
It will be the seventh launch and landing for this specific booster, as indicated by a SpaceX mission description. Previous flights of this rocket have included missions sending astronauts to the International Space Station.
Deployment of Starlink Satellites
During this evening’s launch, the Falcon 9’s upper stage will continue to transport the 23 Starlink satellites towards low Earth orbit, deploying them about 65 minutes after liftoff. The Starlink megaconstellation has been a focal point for SpaceX’s missions in 2024.
Of the 39 orbital missions SpaceX has conducted so far this year, 26 have been dedicated to expanding the Starlink network. This constellation currently comprises more than 5,760 operational satellites, with ongoing efforts to bolster its presence in orbit.
Starship Megarocket Development
It is worth noting that the 39-launch count does not include the recent Starship megarocket test flight on March 14. This mission marked a significant milestone for SpaceX, as Starship successfully reached orbital velocity. The Starship program aims to enable crewed missions to the moon, Mars, and other destinations beyond Earth.
Stay tuned for further updates on SpaceX’s missions, technological advancements, and space exploration endeavors.
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