SpaceX One Step Closer To Accomplishing Starlink Project: Launches 60 New Satellites

SpaceX has launched 60 more satellites as part of the next stage of the Starlink project. For the unaware, the Starlink project is CEO Elon Musk's ambition to create a constellation of satellites that would provide high-speed broadband internet access to every corner of the Earth. SpaceX had previously launched 60 satellites in the first stage.

SpaceX Starlink Satellites Launched

The SpaceX Starlink satellites, named as Starlink-1, was telecasted live as part of the event. The new batch of 60 satellites was launched from the Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The satellites took off aboard the Falcon 9 rocket and are a part of SpaceX's '100% demisable' components, which will burn up quickly in the Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX Starlink satellites are part of Elon Musk's commitment to reduce the space debris problem. This also includes deploying the Starlink satellites to a lower operational altitude of 550KM. SpaceX noted that with another six launches of Starlink satellites, it would be ready to provide internet broadband for the US and Canada regions. Complete global coverage would require 24 launched, totaling to 1,440 Starlink satellites.

Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed! pic.twitter.com/bpBqO9oYR3

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 11, 2019

SpaceX Starlink Satellites Compared

The SpaceX Starlink satellites bear several upgrades, in comparison to the first batch of satellites. The latest version feature both Ka- and Ku- bands, while the previous featured only Ku-bands for broadcast. The first Starlink satellites also hit a record in terms of spacecraft reusability as the Falcon 9 was performing its fourth successful space flight and landing.

After the successful launch of the first Starlink Satellites, Elon Musk sent an inaugural tweet using the service last month. Moreover, the reusability of the SpaceX Starlink satellites estimates an additional 10 percent savings of the mission costs, which roughly sums up to $6 and $10 million saved during every new launch using the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy respectively.