SpaceX tonight launched 22 Starlink satellites to orbit with a reusable Falcon 9 rocket in a move to enhance its satellite communication capabilities. Here you can recap the liftoff, stage separation, first-stage landing, and deployment from this mission.
Liftoff:
The space launch vehicle service provider conducted the liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The first stage is made of 9 Merlin engines which generate more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level to uplift the entire launch vehicle.
All of the pre-launch procedures including propellant loading went as planned and the weather was also clear.
Liftoff of Falcon 9 and its payload of 22 @Starlink satellites pic.twitter.com/g3kibgw4OE
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 23, 2024
Stage separation:
The main engine cutoff was called at 2:35 minutes followed by the second-stage ignition consisting of a single Merlin Vaccum engine generating a thrust of 981 kN to lead the payload into orbit.
Main engine cutoff and stage separation. One of the nine Merlin engines powering tonight’s first stage is our flight leader, powering its 22nd mission to Earth orbit pic.twitter.com/xkTrPdOdsW
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 23, 2024
Stage Landing
Around 8:20 minutes into the mission, SpaceX landed the first stage on a remote droneship over its landing legs.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, completing the booster’s 19th mission pic.twitter.com/dC0fVsMD8s
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 23, 2024
Deployment
In an hour, the deployment of 22 Starlink satellites was confirmed by the company to wrap up this mission.