SpaceX is preparing to launch more Starlink missions this month to rapidly increase the network's capabilities. Twenty-four launches of Starlink satellites are needed to start providing internet service globally, according to company officials. On Thursday, February 4, SpaceX launched the eighteenth fleet of 60 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit where they will operate along thousands of satellites that are part of the constellation. SpaceX plans to perform more satellite deployments this year to achieve connecting the world to high-speed broadband internet. The company planned to launch 60 more satellites over the weekend atop a veteran Falcon 9 rocket booster that is set to take flight an eighth time from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A). Today, SpaceX said the mission will be delayed –“Standing down from this weekend’s launch attempt of Starlink from LC-39A for additional inspections before flying one of our fleet-leading boosters,” they announced. However, SpaceX does not plan to fall behind, it remains on track to launch the nineteenth fleet of Starlink satellites with another Falcon 9 booster that will liftoff from Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) –“team continues to drive toward a separate Falcon 9 launch of Starlink from SLC-40 at the end of next week,” they announced. This mission is scheduled for no earlier than February 11. The launch will increase the total amount of satellites deployed to approximately 1,145 orbiting our planet.
Standing down from this weekend’s launch attempt of Starlink from LC-39A for additional inspections before flying one of our fleet-leading boosters, as the team continues to drive toward a separate Falcon 9 launch of Starlink from SLC-40 at the end of next week. pic.twitter.com/UvF0TUteQz
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 5, 2021
According to a recent Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) filing, SpaceX is already providing Starlink broadband service to 10,000 users located in portions of the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Currently, SpaceX only offers service to individuals based on geographical regions where satellites beam connection. Potential customers may sign-up via Starlink.com to receive updates about when service will be available. “Starlink continues to improve as SpaceX deploys additional infrastructure and capability, averaging two Starlink launches per month, to add significant on-orbit capacity alongside activation of additional gateways [ground stations] to improve performance and expand service coverage areas across the country,” SpaceX told the FCC this week. The company also said the Starlink network has provided users with download speeds greater than 100 megabits per second and low-latency under 31 milliseconds.
Featured Image Source: SpaceX
About the Author
Evelyn Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
