SpaceX Launches 52 Starlink Satellites From California Base

SpaceX has been building Starlink for years to bring Internet access to underserved areas of the world.

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By Associated Press | Updated: 20 December 2021 13:38 IST
Highlights
  • This was the 11th launch and recover of the Falcon rocket's first stage
  • Starlink now has nearly 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit
  • Starlink's satellite based Internet service is aimed at underserved areas

Starlink is set to apply for an India licence in January

Photo Credit: Reuters

A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California early Saturday.

The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:41am (6:11pm IST) and arced over the Pacific.

The Falcon's first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX droneship in the ocean. It was the 11th launch and recovery of the stage.

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The second stage continued into orbit and deployment of the satellites was confirmed, said launch commentator Youmei Zhou at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Starlink is a satellite-based global internet system that SpaceX has been building for years to bring internet access to underserved areas of the world.

Saturday's mission was the 34th launch for Starlink, a constellation of nearly 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.

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SpaceX also was scheduled to launch a Turkish communications satellite from Florida at 10:58pm EST Saturday (9:28am IST, Sunday).


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