Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA - SpaceX successfully launched its 20th batch of Starlink satellites into orbit today, September 20, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission lifted off at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT) from California's foggy central coast.
Screengrab from the official livestream on X showing first stage coming for the landing while the second stage burns its merlin vaccum engine to reach desired orbit. Credit: SpaceX
The Falcon 9's first stage made a precise landing on SpaceX's drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean approximately eight minutes after launch. This marked the 13th launch and landing for the particular booster, with 10 of those flights dedicated to Starlink missions.
With over 7,000 Starlink satellites launched to date, SpaceX's megaconstellation in low Earth orbit continues to grow. According to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, more than 6,300 of these spacecraft are currently active.
Notably, 13 of the 20 satellites launched today are equipped with direct-to-cell capability, allowing them to beam internet service directly to cellphones. This technology, first introduced in January 2024, has expanded to over 100 satellites.
Record-Breaking Launch Pace
SpaceX has achieved an impressive 91 Falcon 9 missions in 2024, with 62 dedicated to Starlink flights. The company's overall launch tally for the year stands at 94, including one Falcon Heavy mission and two test flights of its Starship program.
"Today's launch demonstrates SpaceX's commitment to providing global internet connectivity and pushing the boundaries of space technology," said a SpaceX spokesperson.
As SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink constellation, the company remains on track to revolutionize global communication and pave the way for future space exploration.
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What will happen when these sattelite orbits decay and fall to earth?