SpaceX launches back-to-back Starlink missions

Multimedia

12-03-2024, 16:40

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INA - SOURCES

SpaceX completed two launches of Starlink satellites this past weekend.

The two launches took place yesterday evening, just over five hours apart, from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Space Launch Complex-4E.

The 46 Starlinks sent to orbit yesterday represent the 23rd and 24th missions of the year so far for SpaceX and already the 5th mission of the month.

The Falcon 9, which carried 23 Starlink satellites to orbit, launched them to the Southeast into a 42-degree orbital inclination to continue the build-out of the Group 6 constellation, with this batch being dubbed Group 6-43. The satellites deployed just over an hour after lift-off.

This Falcon 9, designated B1077, launched and landed for the 11th time, previously launching 40 days ago. The Falcon 9 landed on the droneship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ about eight and a half minutes after launch. The fairings were also re-used on this mission; both halves protected the USSF-124 mission just 25 days ago and marked the fastest turnaround time for fairing re-use.