SpaceX Successfully Launches 22 Starlink Satellites, Closing in on Launch Record
Last night, SpaceX achieved another milestone as it successfully launched 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch took place at 10:41 p.m. ET (02:41 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida, marking the fourth mission for the Falcon 9 B1078.
Initially scheduled for an earlier launch, SpaceX delayed the mission, citing weather or technical reasons. However, once the countdown began, the fueling process went smoothly, despite the distant thunderstorms off the coast.
These 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites, known as Group 6-8, were launched on a South Easterly trajectory and were inserted into a 43-degree orbital inclination. Since the July 15th launch of Starlink Group 5-15, all Starlink satellites launched have been the V2 mini version. SpaceX opted for launching up to 22 satellites at a time due to their larger size compared to their predecessors.
The V2 mini Starlinks have a weight of approximately 800 kg (1,800 lbs), significantly higher than the V 1.5 satellites’ weight of around 306 kg (675 lbs). While launching fewer satellites per mission may seem less efficient, the V2 mini Starlinks offer enhanced capabilities. These include two solar arrays, Argon Hall thrusters for improved on-orbit maneuverability, and approximately four times more bandwidth than earlier versions.
It is worth noting that the full-size V2 Starlink satellites will eventually be launched on Starship rockets, as they do not fit inside a Falcon 9 fairing. The launch schedule for these future missions remains unknown, but SpaceX made further progress this weekend with the successful static fire test of Booster 9.
The Falcon 9 booster used for this mission, B1078, successfully landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” approximately eight-and-a-half minutes after liftoff. The fairing halves, which were flown for the 8th and 10th times, are expected to be recovered from the ocean by the SpaceX recovery ship Doug.
With this successful launch, SpaceX has now completed 53 missions this year, surpassing its pace at the same time last year when it set a record of 61 launches. The company could potentially break its own record next month.
Looking ahead, SpaceX is preparing for another Starlink launch, this time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. While the exact timing is yet to be confirmed, the launch could take place as early as 9 p.m. PT (04:00 UTC) tonight.
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