SpaceX launched another batch of 23 Starlink satellites into orbit in the early hours of the morning. The launch was initially scheduled for 12:04 am ET but was delayed several times before being rescheduled for 1:40 am ET. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off with full power, creating a mini sunrise over the Space Coast for spectators.
This mission, named Starlink Group 6-48, was launched to the South East and into a 43-degree orbital inclination, similar to previous Group 6 missions. There are a limited number of Group 6 batches left before SpaceX transitions to launching the Group 7 shell from Florida, while California prepares for the Group 8 shell missions. The booster used for this mission, Booster 1083, had only conducted its 2nd flight, previously launching the Crew 8 mission just 37 days ago.
It successfully landed on the droneship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ about eight and a half minutes after launch, east of the Bahamas. As usual, SpaceX will also attempt to recover the fairings for future missions. This was the company’s 36th mission of the year and the 5th launch of the month, with the next launch scheduled for Thursday at 5:00 a.m. PT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, for the Weather System Follow-on – Microwave (WSF-M) mission for the Department of Defense.