SpaceX Successfully Launches Ninth Starlink Mission, First Rideshare Satellites

The Falcon nine booster vertical on the launchpad prior to SpaceX's Starlink launch on June 13 this yr. This booster has previously launched the Dragon spacecraft to the International Infinite Station. (Prototype Credit: SpaceX)

Early in the forenoon in Eastern Daylight Time, astronautic launch services provider Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) launched the night batch of its Starlink internet satellites from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch marks an of import point for SpaceX as it edges the company frontward in setting a new record of having launched four missions within the course of the month.

The importance of Starlink in SpaceX's long-term business operations is two-fold. Not just volition the internet satellite constellation provide the company with a 2nd revenue stream once information technology is fully deployed, but the launches that SpaceX self-funds to deploy these satellites also ensure that the orbital launch market is capable of sustaining multiple launch service providers.

As this fact in itself merits a separate discussion, today'southward focus is the Starlink Mission v1.0 L8, which in itself marks the first fourth dimension a dedicated rideshare mission is piggybacking on a Starlink launch.

SpaceX Starlink Satellites Go along To Take To Orbit Equally Company Builds Its Satellite Internet Constellation

Today'southward launch came after SpaceX updated its defended website for Starlink to permit users to check the service'south availability status according to zippo lawmaking. Despite launching Starlink payloads as often every bit it potentially tin can, SpaceX'due south network still has not been deployed commercially; a fact that has put the company on the back-human foot when negotiating with the FCC for funding to provide broadband support to rural Americans.

The launch payload consists of 58 Starlink satellites and three of PlanetLab's SkySat satellites. Once the Falcon ix rocket propelling the payload separates from the payload fairing that is designed to protect the satellites from touch launch weather, the SkySat satellites will exist the first to deploy. SpaceX correctly anticipated that the fist SkySat will split at 12 minutes and 30-four seconds later on liftoff and the other 2 will split up at intervals of thirty seconds of each other and the first satellite.

Once the SkySat satellites have successfully deployed, the 58 Starlink satellites volition then proceed to deploy roughly 13 minutes after, or 26 minutes subsequently liftoff. At this point, the Falcon ix phase one booster will accept returned to Earth and volition accept landed on SpaceX's Of Form I Still Love Yous vessel.

The mission profile for today's Starlink launch. (Image Credit: SpaceX)

One time deployed, the latest Starlink satellites will ensure that the full number of satellites that make function of the constellation exceeds 500. The three SkySat satellites are commercial Earth observation satellites for PlanetLab and they have been built past Maxar Technologies. The satellites will operate in a polar inclined orbit that is roughly 450 kilometers above the Earth,. The total mass of the launch is 15.4 tons, with each Starlink satellite weighing in at 260 kg and the SkySat satellites weighing in at 120 kg.

Every bit it launches more than satellites under the Starlink constellation, SpaceX has its hands full with NASA and USAF contracts and plans for the Starship launch and landing vehicle platform. The Hawthorne, California-based intends to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station atop the Dragon two spacecraft, deliver payloads beyond Depression World Orbit, build a vehicle to country astronauts on the lunar surface and ensure that the Starship is capable of transporting cargo and then humans to the Martian surface.