Connect to smartphone. SpaceX launched the first batch of updated Starlink satellites

January 4, 03:20 Share:

On January 3, SpaceX's first launch of 2024 took place (Photo: Screenshot from SpaceX/X video)

During its first launch in 2024, SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites into orbit.. Among them are six Starlink satellites with the new Direct to Cell function.

The launch took place on the morning of Wednesday, January 3, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex in California.. SpaceX notes that this launch was the first flight of this sample of the Falcon 9 first stage launch vehicle..

As planned, Falcon 9 returned to Earth for a vertical landing approximately 8.5 minutes after launch.. The deployment of satellites into low Earth orbit occurred approximately 62.5 minutes after launch.

“The launch includes the first six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities, which will enable mobile network operators around the world to provide seamless global access to texting, calling and web browsing, no matter where you are on land, lakes or coastal waters.” , said SpaceX.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1742421783490474375

As NV Techno wrote, last year SpaceX set a record by carrying out 96 orbital missions ( mostly Starlink launches), as well as two test flights of its next-generation giant rocket, Starship.

SpaceX Vice President Bill Gerstenmaier said in October that the company aims to carry out one and a half times more launches in 2024 – 144 per year or 12 per month.

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