Another 46 Starlink satellites made it to low-Earth orbit as SpaceX launched them on Sunday, July 10.
Topped with 46 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites, a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from a Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 6:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, according to Digital Trends and Space.com.
SpaceX Livestreamed Starlink Satellite Launch
Like its previous launches, the early stages of the mission was livestreamed by SpaceX. The company also posted key sequences of the launch on its Twitter account.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/bojQcPXiZC
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 11, 2022
Although, it was foggy at the launch site, a beautiful scene can be seen from the livestream showing the rocket soared above a thick blanket of cloud.
After around 150 seconds into Sunday's mission, "we get confirmation of main engine cutoff and stage separation, indicating the beginning of the first stage's return to Earth," as per the Digital Trends.
A few seconds later, the rocket's fairing halves can be seen falling away, thus, revealing the satellites to space for the first time.
Having previously supported the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and DART missions, this particular first-stage Falcon 9 booster was on its fifth flight. It has previously supported three Starlink missions as well.
After stage separation, it's time for Falcon 9's first stage to return to Earth. It performed "a perfect landing on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship waiting in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California," as per the Digital Trends.
Unfortunately, just as the rocket touched down, the livestream failed.
Finally, the 46 Starlink satellites were launched into low-Earth orbit on the second stage deployment. Shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday, SpaceX confirmed deployment.
SpaceX Continues to Launch Satellite in Space
The launching of the 46 Starlink satellite last Sunday was the 29th orbital mission of the year for SpaceX. It is also the 17th launch, which is dedicated to Starlink, SpaceX's huge internet-satellite constellation.
As for writing, SpaceX has launched more than 2,750 Starlink satellites. It is expected that this number will continue to increase in the future. According to Space.com, there is already an approval for the company to launch 12,000 Starlink craft. It has also applied to an international regulator "for permission to loft up to 30,000 more on top of that."
Since June 2010, Falcon 9 rockets have now been launched 166 times. A total of 164 of the missions are successful.
In addition to delivering Starlink satellites to orbit, Falcon 9 also sends satellites to space for private companies and organizations. Moreover, it also sends astronauts and cargo toward the International Space Station.
For those who are not familiar with Starlink, it is "an internet service that uses satellites to enable broadband connectivity for people with the appropriate receiving equipment," according to Digital Trends.
Starlink's aims to bring connectivity to unserved or underserved communities. In addition, SpaceX also offer the service to anyone that wants it.
According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, if Starlink can win even just a few percent of the global telecommunications market, could potentially generate as much as $50 billion in annual revenue.
Related Article: SpaceX Starlink Satellite Launch January 2022: 49 Satellites Deployed, How to Watch Awesome Rocket Liftoff
