
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
SpaceX launched two more batches of Starlink satellites today (Dec. 17), in a pair of launches from both U.S. coasts.
First up was a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 of the broadband internet relay units (Group 6-99) into low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The satellites were successfully deployed about an hour and five minutes after the 8:42 a.m. EST (1342 GMT) liftoff on Wednesday.
"Deployment of 29 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX reported on social media.
The Florida flight's first stage booster (B1094) completed its sixth flight, landing on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Then came 27 more Starlink satellites (Group 15-13), riding atop a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Lifting off at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 GMT or 7:27 a.m. PST local time), the mission was on track to deploy its payload about an hour after leaving the ground.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The 56 (in total) Starlink satellites launched on Wednesday add to SpaceX's megaconstellation, which now numbers more than 9,400 units in orbit. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the globe where other options for connectivity is sparse, as well as enables in-flight wifi and cell-to-satellite service on select carries.
Wednesday's dual launches were SpaceX's 164th and 165th Falcon 9 flight of the year.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
6 Natural products High In Vitamins,Which One Do You Like to Eat - 2
Zelensky names spy chief to head presidential office after corruption row - 3
Unsold Rams May Be Less expensive Than You Suspect - 4
Kids who get 2-month vaccines on time 7 times more likely to receive MMR shot: Study - 5
Esteem Stuffed Gaming Workstations to Consider
All the eclipses, supermoons, meteor showers and planets to spot in 2026
Woman shocked to welcome baby after experiencing stomach pain on Christmas
Make your choice for the bird that catches your heart!
Israel's haredi draft crisis: Court ruling and political stalemate reach breaking point
Trump says Venezuela will start 'turning over' oil to the U.S. Is that the reason he toppled Maduro — or is it something else?
South Korea launches Earth-observation satellite on homegrown Nuri rocket
The Benefits of Rehearsing Careful Nurturing
Pick Your Favored kind of sandwich
Investigating Design and Individual Style: Track down Your Remarkable Look













