San Diego, California – SpaceX is gearing up to launch a new set of Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on May 9. The company plans to deploy 20 Starlink satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket, with 13 of them equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities.
Previous rocket launches by SpaceX in April have been witnessed streaking across the skies of San Diego County. This upcoming liftoff is set for Thursday at 8:20 PT and will be livestreamed on the company’s X account. SpaceX confirmed that this mission will be the fourth flight for the first stage booster, having previously supported USSF-62 and two Starlink missions. The first stage is expected to land on the “Of Course I Still Love You droneship” in the Pacific Ocean.
Falcon 9, according to SpaceX, is a two-stage rocket designed for safe and reliable transportation of payloads and people into Earth’s orbit and beyond. It is distinguished as the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket. Starlink, on the other hand, is touted as the largest satellite constellation providing broadband internet via low Earth orbit. The thousands of satellites in this network orbit Earth at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers.
Users seeking internet access through Starlink satellites must connect to antennas installed at their homes. This innovative approach allows for a high-speed internet experience capable of supporting various online activities like video calls, online gaming, and streaming. SpaceX’s initiative with Starlink marks a significant advancement in expanding internet connectivity to underserved areas.
As anticipation builds for the launch, residents in Southern California are looking forward to witnessing the spectacular sight of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink satellites into space. SpaceX continues to push boundaries and revolutionize the space industry with its innovative technologies, bringing the world closer through enhanced connectivity and communication options.