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SpaceX Launches Batch of Starlink Satellites, Successfully Lands Rocket Booster
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully launched another batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California on Friday, March 26. The mission also marked a successful landing of the Falcon 9 rocket booster back on Earth, further demonstrating the company’s reusable rocket technology.
Falcon 9 Rocket Deploys 27 Starlink Satellites
The mission, designated Starlink 11-7, utilized a Falcon 9 rocket to deploy a total of 27 Starlink satellites. The launch originated from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, achieving liftoff at 6:11:40 p.m. Eastern Time (2211 GMT).
Booster B1063 Marks 24th Successful Launch and Landing
Approximately eight minutes following the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage booster, identified as B1063, executed a precise landing on SpaceX’s autonomous spaceport droneship, “Of Course I Still Love You.” The droneship was strategically positioned in the Pacific Ocean for the landing. This event marked the 24th successful launch and landing for booster B1063. Notably, B1063 has an impressive flight history, having supported 15 previous Starlink missions, including a recent mission in January.
Booster 1063’s Flight Log:
- Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich
- DART
- Transporter-7
- Iridium OneWeb
- Tranche 0
- NROL-113
- NROL-167
- NROL-149
- 15 Starlink missions
Starlink Constellation Expansion
The Falcon 9’s upper stage continued its trajectory to space, successfully deploying the Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) roughly 60 minutes after liftoff, aligning with mission objectives. SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
These newly launched satellites are set to join the expansive Starlink meg constellation, which already comprises over 7,100 satellites in LEO, according to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell. This extensive orbital network is designed to deliver low-latency, high-speed internet service to Starlink customers across the globe.