Falcon 9 Carrier Rocket Launches 22 Starlink Satellites to Orbit - SpaceX

Falcon 9 Carrier Rocket Launches 22 Starlink Satellites to Orbit - SpaceX

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, tail number B1069, soared into the night sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on July 28, 2023, marking the 345th launch for this remarkable vehicle [1]. The mission, named Starlink 10-1, aimed to add another 22 satellites to SpaceX's growing constellation of over 6,000 active satellites in low Earth orbit [2].

This was not just another routine launch for SpaceX. B1069 had a storied history, having previously supported the launch of 11 previous batches of Starlink satellites, Eutelsat's Hotbed 18F satellite, and SpaceX's 24th cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (CRS-24) [1].

The launch marked a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it came just a day and a half after the successful test flight of its massive Starship rocket in Texas [1]. The Starship test flight provided valuable data on the technology within the rocket and SpaceX's Starlink network [1].

As the Falcon 9 ascended, viewers were treated to stunning views of the rocket's peak heating, which was accentuated by the reddish-pink plasma highlighting the reentry crescendoing to a stark purple [1]. The upper stage of the rocket, named Ship 29, offered continuous views of the forward flap of Starship, which nearly ripped off but managed to persevere, allowing for a controlled splashdown [1].

Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first stage booster, B1069, returned to Earth and landed on the SpaceX drone ship, "A Shortfall of Gravitas," marking the 74th landing of a booster on this vessel and the 317th booster landing to date [1].

The success of the Starlink 10-1 mission marks an exciting step forward for SpaceX's growing constellation and its mission to provide global internet coverage. Additionally, the company plans to conduct another key technology demonstration later this summer, when the crew of the Polaris Dawn mission, commanded by businessman Jared Isaacman, performs an on-orbit communications test [2].

In conclusion, SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites on July 28, 2023, was a resounding success. With the addition of these satellites to the growing constellation, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and make strides toward providing global internet coverage.

References:
[1] Spaceflight Now. (2023, July 28). Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 22 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 flight from Cape Canaveral. https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/07/28/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-22-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-flight-from-cape-canaveral/
[2] Space.com. (2023, July 28). SpaceX launches 22 of its Starlink internet satellites toward orbit. https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-falcon-heavy-launch-doubleheader-july-2023