SpaceX
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (May 22, 2024)
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth Orbit via Falcon 9 reusable rocket to increase connectivity for customers across the globe.
This launch follows NRO’s NROL-146 mission from a day earlier. This week, SpaceX also achieved its first 21st reusable Falcon 9 flight surpassing the previous 20 flight mark for a single booster.
The latest mission, in particular, lifted off today at 10:35 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida (Image Source – SpaceX)
After a stage separation in the upper atmosphere, the first stage used in this mission maneuvered back to Earth. The booster landed on a droneship stationed in the sea and completed its 8th overall flight.
The company has another Starlink launch set for tomorrow (May 23) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The liftoff is targeted for 6:45 p.m. ET and backup launch opportunity is available on the second day.
You can check the visuals of liftoff and landing for this mission linked below.
Merlin engine ignition and liftoff of Falcon 9 pic.twitter.com/85ejmdqd7r
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 23, 2024
Falcon 9 has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/CIKxjI6RnD
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 23, 2024