SpaceX launches 60 more Starlink mini-satellites
Company plans to begin offering high-speed satellite internet in northern Canada and U.S. next year
SpaceX has launched 60 mini satellites, the second batch of an orbiting network meant to provide global internet coverage.
The Falcon rocket blasted off Monday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The compact flat-panel satellites — just 260 kilograms each — will join 60 launched in May.
Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed! <a href="https://t.co/bpBqO9oYR3">pic.twitter.com/bpBqO9oYR3</a>
—@SpaceXSpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk wants to put thousands of these Starlink satellites in orbit, to offer high-speed internet service everywhere. He plans to start service next year in the northern U.S. and Canada, with global coverage for populated areas after 24 launches.
Last month, Musk used an orbiting Starlink satellite to send a tweet: "Whoa, it worked!!"
Whoa, it worked!!
—@elonmuskEmployees gathered at company bases on both coasts cheered when the first-stage booster landed on a floating platform in the Atlantic.
"These boosters are designed to be used 10 times. Let's turn it around for a fifth, guys," company's launch commentator said.
Falcon 9 first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship – the fourth launch and landing of this booster <a href="https://t.co/qQvH7pwMDO">pic.twitter.com/qQvH7pwMDO</a>
—@SpaceXThis also marked the first time SpaceX used a previously flown nose cone. The California-based company reuses rocket parts to cut costs.
Fairing has deployed—second time for this particular fairing <a href="https://t.co/FdDIAGcHqI">pic.twitter.com/FdDIAGcHqI</a>
—@SpaceXStacked flat inside the top of the rocket, the newest satellites were going to manoeuvre even higher following liftoff, using krypton-powered thrusters. SpaceX said there was a potential problem with one of the 60 that could prevent it from moving beyond its initial 280 kilometre-high orbit. In that case, the faulty satellite will be commanded to re-enter and burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere.
Team is go for launch of 60 Starlink sats tomorrow—heaviest payload to date, first re-flight of a fairing, and first Falcon 9 to fly a fourth mission. Watching 1 sat that may not orbit raise; if not, 100% of its components will quickly burn up in Earth’s atmosphere <a href="https://t.co/OrI8L0ntFK">pic.twitter.com/OrI8L0ntFK</a>
—@SpaceXEach satellite has an autonomous system for dodging space junk. In September, however, the European Space Agency had to move one of its satellites out of the way of a Starlink satellite. SpaceX later said it corrected the problem.
SpaceX is among several companies interested in providing broadband internet coverage worldwide, especially in areas where it costs too much or is unreliable. Others include OneWeb and Jeff Bezos' Amazon.
According to Musk, Starlink revenue can help SpaceX develop rockets and spacecraft for traveling to Mars, his overriding ambition.