SpaceX is launching 20 new Starlink satellites this Saturday
SpaceX will launch another 20 Starlink satellites on November 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The launch, scheduled for 1:16 a.m. Eastern Time, will include a Falcon 9 rocket that will deliver these satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO). , where they will join the ever-expanding Starlink network. Reportedly, of the 20 satellites, 13 are expected to be equipped with direct-to-cell technology, a feature designed to improve connectivity options for mobile users on the ground. The launch window will remain open for four hours, allowing room for adjustments if necessary. SpaceX plans to stream the event live on its X platform starting about five minutes before launch.
Landing planned for reusable Falcon 9 Booster
According to the official information available from SpaceX, if all goes according to plan, the Falcon 9’s first stage will perform a controlled descent and land on SpaceX’s droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This will be the eleventh flight for this particular booster, underscoring SpaceX’s continued efforts in cost savings and sustainability through rocket reusability. About eight minutes after launch, the booster is expected to make its return journey and land the drone ship.
Expansion of Starlink’s global network
With the deployment of these satellites, SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink internet constellation. The company has already completed more than 100 launches this year, with almost two-thirds dedicated to setting up this global satellite internet service. Designed to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved regions, Starlink represents a significant shift in space-based telecommunications.
After launch, the Falcon 9 upper stage will release the twenty Starlink satellites into LEO approximately one hour after launch. This deployment brings SpaceX closer to its goal of building a robust, low-latency broadband network that is accessible worldwide.
