SpaceX has successfully launched its Starlink Group 6-33 mission, marking a significant milestone in the company's ongoing efforts to expand its satellite internet service. The mission, which took place at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, involved the deployment of 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites using a Falcon 9 rocket. This launch brings the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 5,559, with approximately 5,187 still in orbit.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster, numbered 1077, was used for the ninth time in this mission. Following the launch, the booster successfully landed on SpaceX's drone ship 'Just Read the Instructions' stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This reusability of the Falcon 9 booster is a testament to SpaceX's commitment to sustainable and cost-effective space exploration.
The Starlink satellites launched in this mission are equipped with advanced features and functionalities. They boast a sophisticated design, robust communication capabilities, and collision avoidance systems. These satellites are part of SpaceX's ambitious plan to provide worldwide cell phone coverage.
The launch was initially scheduled for 12:07 a.m. EST on Thursday but was delayed by more than an hour. Despite the delay, the launch proceeded successfully under favorable weather conditions, with a 95% chance of success.
In addition to the Starlink Group 6-33 mission, SpaceX is also preparing for the Falcon Heavy's USSF-52 mission, scheduled to launch on December 10. This year has been particularly busy for SpaceX, with the company achieving its 90th orbital launch and launching a total of 1,871 satellites in 2023 alone.