![]() If successful, the flight could bring the total number of Starlink satellites launched to nearly 2,000, as it works to fill its planned orbital shells. This will also reduce their reliance on ground stations here on Earth. As part of an effort to make satellite operations more efficient, the company recently enhanced its satellites with the ability to communicate with each other via laser links. Thursday’s flight also continues SpaceX’s effort to launch its newly upgraded Starlink internet satellites. That mission is slated to be SpaceX’s next launch from Cape Canaveral after the Transporter 3 mission. (Transporter 1 and 2 both launched in 2021.) It will also mark the 34th dedicated Starlink mission to date.Īlso scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket this month is the Italian space agency’s COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG 2) radar reconnaissance satellite. As the name suggests, it will be the third dedicated rideshare mission that SpaceX has launched. 13, that rocket will launch the Transporter 3 mission, a rideshare endeavor for SpaceX, where its workhorse rocket will carry dozens of small satellites for a variety of customers. Typically, SpaceX launches most of its Starlink satellites from its facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force station, but there’s another Falcon 9 rocket currently sitting there on Pad 40. As such, we could see several rockets launched in January, as the company tries to keep up its rapid launch cadence. SpaceX is continuing with that momentum going into the new year. (That record was previously set in 2020, with SpaceX launching 26 Falcon 9 rockets.) Thursday’s flight will mark the first Falcon 9 mission for SpaceX so far in 2022 after it set a new company record for the most number of rocket launches in a year with 31 rockets launched in 2021. Related: SpaceX’s most-flown Falcon 9 rocket is a sooty veteran after 10 launches and landings (photos) You can also watch the launch directly via SpaceX and on YouTube. Live coverage will begin about 15 minutes before liftoff. You can watch the launch live in the window above and on the homepage, courtesy of SpaceX. EST (2347 GMT), in case of bad weather or other technical delays. EST (2149 GMT) from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, here in Florida, with a backup time of 6:47 p.m. The mission is set to blast off at 4:49 p.m. (The company is expected to confirm the number of satellites closer to liftoff.) The private spaceflight company will launch a stack of 49 Starlink satellites on one of its previously flown Falcon 9 rockets. 6) and you can watch the action live online. SpaceX is gearing up to launch its first rocket of 2022 on Thursday evening (Jan. Here’s why you can trust usĬAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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