Technology
SpaceX launched further Falcon 9 Starlink satellites and three SkySats planets ride the satellite
On the Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday morning, SpaceX lanced 58 new Starlink satellites and three Planet satellites labeled for the ride. The SpaceX satellites belong to its growing Starlink constellation that offers Internet connectivity on Earth. As part of the project the company is authorized to launch some 12,000 satellites.
The satellites were launched by the Falcon 9 rocket, which then returned to earth safely, landed on an Of Course I still love You drone in the Atlantic.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship pic.twitter.com/qv6aMiPGoq
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 13, 2020
The Planet satellites form part of the existing SkySat constellation that contains just over a dozen hand-held washing machine images of the home planet. On SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 Starlink launch in July, three more Planet satellites will be added. Both launches of planet are part of the new SmallSat Rideshare Program of SpaceX, which allows smaller satellite operators to reserve a ride on a SpaceX latest launch.
Launch success! All 3 Skysats in orbit & contacted by ground stations!
— Will Marshall (@Will4Planet) June 13, 2020
- 10 mins to space
- 12 mins to separation
- 18 mins to first ground station contact. Phew!
Thank you @SpaceX @ElonMusk for the beautiful ride!
Here’s two Skysats separating atop the Starlinks! Too cool! pic.twitter.com/hHKMhAXIxP
SpaceX has opened a Starlink website to enable individuals to subscribe to "Starlink News Updates and the availability of Services in your area" by conducting private beta tests of its website later this summer, followed by a public beta test.
Two weeks ago, SpaceX launched its first two individuals, sending NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in their Dragon Crew capsule to the International Space Station.
