SpaceX to Launch 20 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 Rocket from California

Live Coverage of the Upcoming Mission

SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by Elon Musk, is gearing up to launch 20 Starlink satellites into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2023, at 10:50 a.m. PDT (17:50 UTC) from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This launch marks another significant step in SpaceX's ambitious mission to provide global internet connectivity through its constellation of Starlink satellites.

The Starlink constellation is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to remote and underserved areas around the world. The satellites will orbit the Earth at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers (342 miles), providing coverage to a wide range of regions. The launch of these 20 satellites will further expand the Starlink constellation, bringing the total number of satellites in orbit to over 3,000.

The Falcon 9 rocket that will carry the Starlink satellites is a reusable launch vehicle that has been used in numerous successful missions. The rocket will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base and travel through the atmosphere before reaching orbit. Once in orbit, the Starlink satellites will be deployed from the rocket and will begin their journey to their operational positions.