ReportWire

SpaceX plans to launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — For anyone hoping to see a morning launch, your Christmas wish has come true. SpaceX is planning to launch another batch of Starlink satellites Wednesday morning. 


What You Need To Know

  • Starlink 6-99 mission will take off from Launch Complex 39A

SpaceX stated it is going to send up its Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center for the Starlink 6-99 mission.

The launch window opens at 7:19 a.m. ET and it is set to close at 11:19 a.m. ET. This means the California-based company has during that time frame to send up its Falcon 9 rocket.

The 45th Weather Squadron has given a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions.

The only concern against the launch is the cumulus cloud rule.

Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

Taking the fifth

The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster for this mission, called B1094, has two crewed launches in its young career.

After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket is expected to land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions, which will be in the Atlantic Ocean..

About the mission

SpaceX owns the Starlink company, which will see its 29 satellites go to low-Earth orbit.

Once deployed and in their orbit with the thousands of other Starlinks, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been documenting Starlink satellites.

Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

  • 9,357 are in orbit
  • 8,026 are in operational orbit

Anthony Leone

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