Watch SpaceX launch the first 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit

[The AchieVer]

Watch SpaceX launch the first 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit

The first of many missions to establish a megaconstellation of satellites providing global broadband.

 

Falcon 9 sits ready on the launchpad for the final Iridium NEXT mission.

SpaceX

Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, wants to bring speedy broadband to the world. Achieving that lofty goal relies on 60 satellites tucked neatly away inside a Falcon 9 payload bay. 

 

The Starlink mission is set to deliver those first 60 internet satellites to orbit later Wednesday, paving the way for a megaconstellation that will eventually contain over 12,000 of the miniature internet-providing beasts.

 

The launch window is currently scheduled to open at 7:30 p.m. PT and will close at 9 p.m. PT on May 15. SpaceX has said the weather conditions are fine and we look good to go for launch. As is par for the course for SpaceX now, the company will attempt to land the Falcon 9 booster on a droneship known as "Of Course I Still Love You," floating along in the Atlantic Ocean. Around an hour into the mission, the satellites will be deployed.

 

If you're the kind of person who loves a spaceship and wants to watch along, you can follow live at the link below. SpaceX generally starts streaming around 15 minutes prior to launch (7:15 p.m. PT in this case).

 

 

The first 60 satellites will be dropped off at an altitude of approximately 270 miles (440 kilometers) above the Earth, if everything runs smoothly, and then they will gently propel themselves out to an orbit of about 340 miles (550 kilometers).

 

This will be the third time this particular Falcon 9 booster has ascended to space, according to SpaceX, with two previous flights coming in September 2018 and January 2019.

 

 

 

Musk has tried to temper expectations of this first, historic deployment of satellites, saying that "much will likely go wrong" and these first 60 satellites are a test, providing a demonstration of Starlink's future capabilities. Another six launches will be required before even "minor" coverage is offered.

 

You can read all about the Starlink plan for space internet domination in CNET's handy explainer.

 

 

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Meet the SpaceX Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful rocket

 

 

 

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SpaceX Delays Launch of 60 Starlink Satellites Again, This Time for Software Checks

The scrub is the second in as many days.

 

 

SpaceX's first 60 Starlink internet satellites sit atop their used Falcon 9 rocket on May 16, 2019 awaiting launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

(Image: © SpaceX)

 

The first big batch of SpaceX internet satellites will have to wait at least another week to get aloft.

 

Elon Musk's company scrubbed the launch of 60 Starlink spacecraft tonight (May 16) about two hours before their planned 10:30 p.m. EDT (0230 GMT on May 17) liftoff, citing a desire to update software and perform some more checks.

 

"Standing down to update satellite software and triple-check everything again. Always want to do everything we can on the ground to maximize mission success, next launch opportunity in about a week," SpaceX representatives said via Twittter. 

 

Tonight's scrub was the second in as many days. SpaceX also called off an attempt last night (May 15) because of strong high-altitude winds.

 

Starlink is designed to provide affordable internet access to people around the world. The first five dozen spacecraft won't be nearly enough to do this; SpaceX will need about 400 satellites to provide minimal coverage and about 800 for moderate coverage, Musk has said. 

 

The megaconstellation is a key part of SpaceX's Mars-colonization plans. Revenue generated by the network will help the company develop and fly its next-generation Super Heavy rocket and 100-passenger Starship spaceship, Musk has said. 

 

SpaceX Launches 3 Satellites Atop Used Falcon 9 Rocket

 

 

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