Use Rocket Falcon 9, SpaceX Launch 58 Starlink Satellites
SpaceX again launched its rideshare mission to orbit on Tuesday (18/8/2020). The company uses a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, marking the 14th mission this year that successfully launched at 10:31 am local time from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Image: SpaceX
Space reported, in this 14th mission Falcon 9 sent payloads from two different companies. This includes 58 of Starlink's space internet satellites, and three of Planet's Skysat satellites, a California-based earth imaging company. With this, SpaceX has launched orbital trajectories twice in one month.
Previously, SpaceX - using a Falcon 9 rocket - had delivered 57 Starlink satellites on August 7. So a total of 653 space internet satellites have been recorded that have formed the Starlink broadband constellation in the orbit since the satellite launch in May 2019. This will bring Starlink closer to its goal of providing broadband internet access and military applications globally.
Not only Starlink, Planet as another passenger is also recorded as having the second largest network after Starlink. The difference is this is intended to image the Earth from outer space.
Spaceflight Now reports that the three Skysat satellites will later join 150 other fleets already in orbit.
This 14th mission is also an achievement in itself for SpaceX. The 14th mission this time has marked the 99th launch of the company.
In addition, the B1049 first-stage booster used by the Falcon 9 rocket this time has also set a new record as the first sixth use. Previously, the booster had also successfully launched other Starlink missions such as the Telstar 18 VANTAGE and Iridium-8.