SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Group 6- 57 Starlinks were launched to the Southeast into a 43-degree orbital inclination and deployed just over an hour after the lift-off. This launch differed from SpaceX’s usual schedule, taking place at 2:14 pm ET instead of in the middle of the night due to orbital mechanics.
Following this successful launch, SpaceX has now sent 6,350 Starlink satellites to space, with 5,233 being active. The most recent batches of Starlink satellites are undergoing checkouts as they move into their operational orbits. If they do not pass these checks, SpaceX will either intentionally de-orbit them or let atmospheric drag bring them back down as they are launched into a lower orbit to lower the chances of potential space debris.
The Falcon 9 that launched this mission was a veteran Falcon 9, marking its 15th flight to space and back. Booster 1069 landed just over 8 minutes after the lift-off on the droneship ‘Just Read the Instructions.’ The favorable launch time also provided stunning camera views of the Bahamas from the booster and upper stage.
It was noted that SpaceX recently came to an agreement with the Bahamas to land Falcon 9 boosters within the country’s waters. SpaceX is preparing for another set of back-to-back launches of Starlink satellites, with 23 satellites scheduled for launch from Florida and 20 from California.