
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
SpaceX launched two more batches of Starlink satellites today (Dec. 17), in a pair of launches from both U.S. coasts.
First up was a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 of the broadband internet relay units (Group 6-99) into low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The satellites were successfully deployed about an hour and five minutes after the 8:42 a.m. EST (1342 GMT) liftoff on Wednesday.
"Deployment of 29 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX reported on social media.
The Florida flight's first stage booster (B1094) completed its sixth flight, landing on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Then came 27 more Starlink satellites (Group 15-13), riding atop a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Lifting off at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 GMT or 7:27 a.m. PST local time), the mission was on track to deploy its payload about an hour after leaving the ground.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The 56 (in total) Starlink satellites launched on Wednesday add to SpaceX's megaconstellation, which now numbers more than 9,400 units in orbit. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the globe where other options for connectivity is sparse, as well as enables in-flight wifi and cell-to-satellite service on select carries.
Wednesday's dual launches were SpaceX's 164th and 165th Falcon 9 flight of the year.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
What's inside Mexico's Popocatépetl? Scientists obtain first 3D images of the whole volcano - 2
Exploring ways to reduce the impact of space junk on Earth - 3
Cameroon says Russia has confirmed 16 Cameroonian soldiers died in Ukraine - 4
More loons are filling Maine's lakes with their ghostlike calls - 5
Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall kill at least 20 people in Tanzania
Scaling New Levels: Rock Climbing Spots On the planet
Vote in favor of your #1 sort of juice
Only 30% of young people in Israel optimistic about future, Aluma survey reveals
From Amateur to Master: My Involvement in Photography
Allow Innovative Progressions To have a Massive Effect
Solar storms can trigger auroras on Earth. This star’s explosion could destroy a planet’s atmosphere
What's the Fate of 5G Innovation?
What to watch for in weight loss drugs in 2026
Sudan war ‘being fought on women’s bodies’: Survivors detail sexual assault












