SpaceX is gearing up for another Starlink satellite launch from California on July 11. The mission will see 20 more Starlink satellites sent into orbit, with 13 of them featuring direct-to-cell capabilities. The launch is scheduled to take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base, with a four-hour window starting at 10:39 p.m. EDT.
The Falcon 9 rocket will be carrying the Starlink spacecraft, and SpaceX will be live streaming the event on its X account. The first stage of the Falcon 9 is expected to return to Earth and land on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean. This particular booster has already completed 19 successful launches and landings, with the record for a Falcon 9 first stage standing at 22 flights.
The upper stage of the Falcon 9 will deploy the 20 satellites into low Earth orbit approximately 59 minutes after liftoff. This launch is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to build out the Starlink megaconstellation, which currently consists of over 6,150 operational satellites. More than 100 of these satellites have direct-to-cell capabilities, with plans for this number to increase in the future.
SpaceX has already conducted 68 Falcon 9 launches in 2024, with nearly half of them dedicated to the Starlink project. The company continues to expand its satellite network, providing global internet coverage. The Starlink mission is a key part of SpaceX’s vision to create a space-based internet service accessible to people around the world.
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Michael Wall, Senior Space Writer at Space.com, will be covering this event and providing insights into the significance of the Starlink mission. With his background in exoplanets, spaceflight, and military space, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to his reporting. Follow him on Twitter to stay updated on his latest projects and findings in the world of space exploration.
