SpaceX launched one other batch of its Starlink satellites this night (June 4) from California.
A Falcon 9 rocket launched SpaceX’s Starlink 11-22 mission from Vandenberg Area Drive Base as we speak at 7:40 p.m. EDT (2340 GMT; 4:40 p.m. native time in California).
The stack of 27 Starlink satellites started their journey into low Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a Falcon 9 first-stage booster designated B1063. This was the twenty sixth launch of B1063, which has now supported 18 Starlink missions.
The 9 Merlin engines on the backside of B1063 shut down roughly 2.5 minutes after liftoff, adopted instantly by the separation of the booster from the Falcon 9’s higher stage.
About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the B1063 landed safely on SpaceX’s Of Course I Nonetheless Love You drone ship, stationed within the Pacific Ocean. Its profitable touchdown inches it nearer to SpaceX’s record-holder B1067, which has flown a complete of 28 launches.
The rocket’s higher stage continued towards LEO, finally deploying the 27 Starlink satellites there about one hour into flight. Every satellite tv for pc will maneuver into extra particular orbits throughout the Starlink’s megaconstellation over the subsequent few days.
SpaceX’s Starlink community consists of more than 7,600 operational satellites and counting. As a complete, they function in a lattice that gives a blanket of protection to just about all the planet. Starlink provides customers a high-speed web connection from anyplace prospects are in a position to level their Starlink receiver towards the sky (aside from the poles).
Tonight’s launch was SpaceX’s 68th Falcon 9 mission of 2025 and 71st general liftoff up to now this yr. The extra three had been take a look at flights of Starship, SpaceX’s next-generation super-heavy-lift rocket, which most not too long ago launched on Could 27.
