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SpaceX to Launch Another Batch of Starlink Satellites Tonight
SpaceX is gearing up to launch another batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit on the evening of March 18. A Falcon 9 rocket is set to carry 22 Starlink spacecraft from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base during a nearly four-hour launch window that begins at 10:28 p.m. EDT (0228 GMT on March 19).
You can witness the launch live on SpaceX’s X account, with coverage starting approximately five minutes before the launch window opens.
Launch Details
If all proceeds as planned, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth roughly 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It is expected to make a vertical landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This mission marks the 10th launch and landing for this specific booster, in line with SpaceX’s mission description.
Simultaneously, the Falcon 9’s upper stage will continue carrying the 22 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, where they will be deployed around 62.5 minutes after liftoff.
Operational Progress
This upcoming launch will be SpaceX’s 26th operational mission of 2024. Among the 25 flights conducted so far this year, 16 have been centered on expanding the Starlink broadband megaconstellation. Presently, this megaconstellation comprises more than 5,500 satellites, as outlined by external sources.
Aside from the Starlink missions, SpaceX also carried out a significant test flight on March 14 by launching its Starship megarocket. This mission marked the third test flight for Starship, an essential component of SpaceX’s grand vision to enable human settlement on the moon and Mars.
Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX’s progress in the realms of satellite deployment and space exploration.
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