The private company SpaceX launched on Monday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, a Falcon 9 rocket to take a new fleet of second-generation Starlink communications satellites into space, which will provide “even faster speeds to more users,” the company announced.
SpaceX launched the reusable Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 second-generation Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, without major mishaps, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A FEW MINUTES AGO ????| The Space X Falcon 9 Rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 7:14 pm and this launch might be seen from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. On this mission, Space X will launch 21 second-generation Starlink satellites into orbit. pic.twitter.com/fCV4NSzh2H
— Carlos Omar (@carlosomartv) February 27, 2023
The launch took place, as scheduled, at 6:13 pm (7:13 local time).
After separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket returned to Earth 8 minutes following liftoff and landed on the unmanned platform “A Shortfall of Gravitas”, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Caribbean Astronomical Society confirms that rocket takeoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, was seen tonight in Puerto Rico.
The organization indicated that it was the launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 / Starlink Group 6-1.
(Photos by Ahuma’o Smoke House and Rosa Lee Morales) pic.twitter.com/s71dffj23c
— V. Torres Montalvo ???????? (@Motinsitepegas) February 28, 2023
Since being originally licensed to operate the first-generation Starlink network, SpaceX has launched nearly 4,000 satellites and provides high-speed internet to more than a million places around the world, most of which are homes, according to the company. founded by magnate Elon Musk.
“SpaceX has been quick to keep up with the growing demand for connectivity in the United States and around the world, especially in areas where few, if any, options previously existed for broadband connections,” reads a statement. the company.
You guys just saw this too!? It was a pleasure to have met you ???? pic.twitter.com/eWk8FCapbR
— Lola Boricua (@lola_cdl) February 27, 2023
“With the recent authorization of our second generation, or ‘Gen 2,’ network, SpaceX will bring even faster speeds to more users,” he adds.
This new authorization allows SpaceX to launch additional, greatly improved spacecraft with significantly higher throughput per satellite than first-generation systems.
Did you see the bright contrail ????????in the sky that was seen in #Puerto Rico tonight around 7:13 pm AST? It was associated with rocket takeoff @SpaceX where 21 second generation Starlink satellites were successfully placed in low orbit. It took off from Cape Canaveral… https://t.co/pC0cbCY6mB pic.twitter.com/yo0EWIPIxh
— Ada Monzon (@adamonzon) February 28, 2023
“For the end consumer, this means more bandwidth and greater reliability,” says the aerospace company.
According to Space.com, SpaceX has permission to launch 12,000 satellites but has sought approval from an international regulator to launch up to 30,000 more.
The company explains that while most satellite internet services come from satellites orbiting at regarding 35,000 kilometers, the Starlink swarm is much closer to Earth, at regarding 550 kilometers, allowing it to reduce the time it takes the data to go back and forth between the user and the satellite.
