SpaceX has finally sent a new batch of Starlink satellites into orbit. 46 spacecraft were launched only on the third attempt.
The launch was originally scheduled for April 25, but had to be postponed to April 26. Then the launch was postponed for another day. On April 27, despite the thick fog, the Falcon 9 rocket launched from the complex at the US Space Force base in California. The Falcon Heavy launch was postponed.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/n3xGC0THqp
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 27, 2023
The first stage returned to Earth in 8.5 minutes. It landed on the Of Course I Still Love You drone in the Pacific Ocean and came close to breaking the record. This was the 13th mission for the team. There are two launches left before the record is broken.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship pic.twitter.com/J16ymBsfwc
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 27, 2023
Deployment of 46 Starlink satellites confirmed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 27, 2023
In total, since the beginning of 2023, Elon Musk’s company has completed 27 successful missions. Its goal is to complete 100 launches within a year. To make it easier, SpaceX has rented Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg from the US Space Force.
