SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites on Memorial Day
Source: Slashdot
Launch Overview
“The expansion of SpaceX’s Starlink network of internet relay satellites continued Monday with a Memorial Day launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,” reports Spaceflight Now.
The mission added another 29 Starlink satellites to more than 10,000 already in low Earth orbit. This was SpaceX’s 60th orbital flight of the year, comprising 59 Falcon 9 rockets and one Falcon Heavy rocket.
Booster Landing
Nearly 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 first stage (booster B1078) landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” positioned in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. This marked the 151st landing for this vessel and the 614th booster landing to date for SpaceX.
Satellite Deployment
The second stage shut down 8 minutes 39 seconds into flight and entered a coast phase, followed by a short second burn at T+52 minutes. The stack of Starlink satellites was deployed 61 minutes 26 seconds after launch.
Media Coverage
- On X.com, SpaceX shared footage of the booster rocket landing.
- A longer video showing Starship’s 12th test flight on Friday was also posted: view video.