SpaceX launches 22 next-generation Starlink satellites into orbit and then lands its rocket at sea

SpaceX sent 22 of its Starlink broadband “V2 mini” satellites into orbit early on Friday, May 19, landing the returning rocket at sea.

At 2:19 a.m. EDT (06:19 GMT) on Friday, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink spacecraft of the next generation launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The Bird of prey 9’s most memorable stage got back to Earth as arranged around 8.5 minutes after takeoff. The SpaceX droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida, was the location where it made its landing.

According to a mission description provided by SpaceX, this particular booster had completed its fifth launch and landing.

The 22 Starlink satellites were still being carried into low Earth orbit by the upper stage of the rocket. Their scheduled deployment time is approximately 65 minutes after launch.

Starlink is SpaceX’s immense and always developing heavenly body of broadband rocket. If the necessary approvals are granted, the nation could deploy nearly ten times as many Starlink satellites as it has already launched.

The “V2 minis” that were launched on Friday morning are larger and more capable than the Starlinks of the first generation that make up the majority of the megaconstellation. SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket, which is still in development, will launch the full-size Starlink V2 satellites, which will be even bigger and have more power.

Friday’s launch was SpaceX’s 32nd orbital mission in 2023 and the 30th Falcon 9 flight of the year. Additionally, this year, Elon Musk’s company has launched its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket twice.)

SpaceX intends to launch 16 OneWeb satellites and five Iridium communications craft on Friday at 9:19 a.m. EDT (13:19 GMT) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a Falcon 9 rocket, the first of a planned doubleheader.