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SpaceX achieved a remarkable feat by launching another set of Starlink satellites on Monday, marking its second mission of the day. At 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 GMT on April 29), a new Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, carrying 23 Starlink broadband satellites. This payload included 13 satellites equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. Earlier on the same day, a different Falcon 9 rocket launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This back-to-back mission underscores SpaceX’s aggressive strategy to expand its Internet constellation, which remains the largest of its kind in orbit.
Brand-New Falcon 9 Lands After Launching 23 Starlink Satellites to Orbit
As reported by Space.com, the significance of this launch lies in it being the inaugural flight of this particular Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage. SpaceX’s boosters are known for their ability to undertake multiple missions, with one exceptional booster accomplishing 27 flights so far. Notably, the new Falcon 9’s first stage executed a flawless landing approximately eight minutes after liftoff, successfully touching down on the “A Shortfall of Gravitas” droneship positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, the upper stage of the rocket continued its course, transporting the 23 Starlink satellites toward low Earth orbit (LEO). The satellites were deployed roughly 65 minutes post-launch, joining the expanding fleet of Starlink spacecraft. With this successful deployment, SpaceX moves closer to its goal of providing global broadband coverage, leveraging a network of thousands of satellites collaborating in orbit.
SpaceX Marks 50th Falcon 9 Launch of 2025, Expanding Starlink to 7,200 Satellites
This launch represents SpaceX’s 50th Falcon 9 mission of 2025, focusing on the expansion of the Starlink network. This milestone highlights the company’s robust launch schedule, with 33 missions dedicated to the Starlink project, which now boasts over 7,200 operational satellites.
SpaceX continues to expand its satellite constellation while mastering its launch and recovery technologies. The accomplishment of two successful Starlink missions within a single day showcases how effectively SpaceX has optimized the balance between utilizing reusable hardware and deploying new rockets.
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www.gadgets360.com