Tag: Starlink
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SpaceX’s unmatched streak of perfection with the Falcon 9 rocket is over
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffered an upper stage engine failure and deployed a batch of Starlink Internet satellites into a perilously low orbit after launch from California Thursday night, the first blemish on the workhorse launcher’s record in more than 300 missions since 2016. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO, posted on X that…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 second stage fails leaving Starlink satellites in wrong orbit
An unusual build up of ice on the second stage of the Falcon 9 that launched the Starlink 8-3 mission. Image: SpaceX. SpaceX suffered its first in-flight failure of a Falcon 9 rocket since 2015, leaving 20 Starlink satellites in a perilously low orbit. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said it was unclear if the spacecraft…
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Launch Roundup: SpaceX flies more customer payloads and Ariane 6 debuts
As many as four SpaceX Falcon 9 missions and the long-delayed inaugural flight of Ariane 6 make up the roster for this week’s launch schedule. The four SpaceX missions will be split evenly between Starlink and two payloads for other customers. At least one of the SpaceX missions is likely to be affected by the…
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SpaceX Successfully Launches 20 Starlink Satellites, Including Direct-to-Cell Capabilities
SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Wednesday morning, carrying 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell (DtC) capabilities. The launch, initially delayed by technical issues, lifted off at 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 UTC) following a two-hour postponement. “The Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink spacecraft, including…
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SpaceX launches 100th Direct to Cell Starlink satellite on Falcon 9 flight from Cape Canaveral
The plume from the second stage lights up the pre-dawn sky over the Kennedy Space Center about seven and a half minutes after launch. Image: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now. Update 5:24 a.m. EDT: SpaceX launched the Starlink 8-9 mission and landed the booster, B1073, on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’ SpaceX launched a batch of…
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SpaceX continues record-breaking year with Starship’s full success and Falcon milestones
SpaceX continues to break records with its Falcon rockets during 2024 completing to date a total of 67 missions so far and putting the company on track to complete 135 launches by the end of it. SpaceX also unveiled a new extravehicular activity suit, completed several missions for the US and foreign governments, as well…
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SpaceX Set to Launch 20 More Starlink Satellites, Including Direct to Cell Capable Ones
SpaceX is gearing up for another Starlink satellite launch, adding 20 satellites to its low Earth orbit constellation, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. The mission, named Starlink 8-8, is scheduled to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:58 a.m. PDT (8:58 a.m. EDT, 1258 UTC). This launch follows closely on the…
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SpaceX launches 350th Falcon 9 rocket on a Starlink flight from Cape Canaveral
The 350th Falcon 9 rocket launches on June 27, 2024, on the Starlink 10-3 mission. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now Update 8:00 a.m. EDT: SpaceX launched the Starlink 10-3 mission. SpaceX is marking two key records with the launch of its latest batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Starlink 10-3 mission…
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Launch Roundup: Falcon Heavy returns with GOES-U, Firefly Alpha launch attempt
Following a week in which Tropical Storm Alberto brought high seas, wind, and rain-related delays to the launch schedule in Florida, SpaceX managed to get back on track this week with launches from all three of the active Falcon launch pads, including a Falcon Heavy. Toward the end of the week, the Japanese Aerospace and…
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SpaceX completes Falcon 9 double launch day with Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Station
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Starlink 9-2 mission on June 23, 2024. Image: SpaceX SpaceX completed another double launch day with a West Coast launch of 20 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, including 13 featuring Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff of the Starlink 9-2 mission happened at 8:47…