SpaceX is set to make history today by launching its 10,000th Starlink satellite into orbit. This significant milestone will be broadcast live, marking a pivotal moment in the company's ambitious satellite constellation project.
The mission, scheduled for October 18, involves a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 28 Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch window opens at 7:46 p.m. EDT, offering a four-hour window for the operation. This launch will push SpaceX's total Starlink satellite count above the 10,000 mark, a testament to the company's rapid expansion in the satellite internet market.
SpaceX's journey with Starlink began in February 2018 when they launched the first two prototypes into low Earth orbit (LEO). The company then embarked on a massive construction project, culminating in the public beta test in October 2020 and the commercial rollout the following year. Today's launch is a testament to SpaceX's relentless pursuit of space exploration and innovation.
The Starlink constellation now serves millions of customers worldwide, and SpaceX shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024 alone, they launched 89 Starlink missions, and this year they've already surpassed that number. With permission to launch up to 12,000 Starlink satellites and a potential future of over 30,000 spacecraft, SpaceX's dominance in the satellite internet market is set to continue.
The majority of the 9,988 Starlink satellites launched so far remain active, with 8,610 currently operational. The rest have been deorbited, burning up in Earth's atmosphere, a common fate for satellites after their operational life of about five years.
The Falcon 9's first stage is expected to return to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean on the SpaceX drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This will be the 11th launch and touchdown for Booster 1088, showcasing SpaceX's commitment to reusable rocket technology.
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