SpaceX launches new batch of Starlink satellites - Falcon 9 rockets have flown 29 missions since the start of the year

SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink telecommunications satellites into space the previous day. The mission involved a Falcon 9 rocket.

Here's What We Know

The mission lifted off on May 14 at 02:03 (EDT) or 23:03 (PDT). The first stage returned to Earth 8.5 minutes after launch, making a successful landing on the Just Read the Instructions platform. The unmanned platform is located in the Atlantic Ocean.

The second stage launched 56 Starlink satellites into orbit. Just over an hour later, all of the spacecraft were successfully deployed. The total Starlink constellation is approaching 4,500 satellites.

The flight was the 31st successful mission for SpaceX since the beginning of this year. Twenty-nine of these involved Falcon 9 rockets. For the first stage, which flew the day before, this was the eleventh launch.

Two more missions in 2023 have been carried out by the Falcon Heavy rocket. A fortnight ago , it orbited three devices, including the ViaSat-3 Americ satellite, weighing about 6,500 kg. In January, the rocket sent a military satellite into space for the US Space Force.

Source: SpaceX