Last week, SpaceX launched two Starlink missions from Florida, with just over 24 hours between them. The launches sent a total of 46 satellites into orbit. The missions took place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center and Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station respectively.
Both missions were a part of the Group 6 Starlink shell (Group 51 and 52) and were inserted into a 43-degree orbital inclination. The first launch, from LC-39A, was carried out by Falcon 9 Booster 1077, which completed its 12th flight to space and back. B1077 had previously flown 38 days before this mission and has safely launched a variety of missions including 4 Humans, 2 ISS resupply missions, a GPS satellite, 2 telecommunications satellites, and 6 Starlink batches.
The second launch, which marked the 40th of the year for SpaceX, took place from SLC-40 and featured Booster 1080, completing its 7th flight. B1080 had a quick turnaround, last flying 28 days before this mission. B1080 landed smoothly on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ and has returned to Port Canaveral for refurbishment and its next mission.
During this mission, two U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors were flying over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station right at lift-off. As the Falcon 9 climbed, the F-22 Raptors hit their afterburners and climbed with the Falcon 9 for a short period before the rocket easily won the “race”. The F-22 Demonstration team released a video showing this event.
SpaceX is preparing for its 41st mission of the year, with another Starlink batch scheduled to launch from SLC-40 Tuesday evening no earlier than 6:15 pm ET and has the usual multi-hour window to account for weather or technical delays.