Date: October 29, 2024
Source: SpaceX
Summary: SpaceX is set to launch 20 new Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, early on Wednesday, October 30. Thirteen of these satellites will include advanced direct-to-cell (DTC) capabilities, broadening Starlink’s global coverage and enhancing connectivity across remote and underserved regions.
In a late-night launch set for 1:07 a.m. ET (4:07 a.m. local California time), SpaceX will lift a Falcon 9 rocket with a payload of 20 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). This nearly hour-long launch window ensures optimal conditions for deployment. If all goes as planned, the Falcon 9’s reusable first stage will land on SpaceX’s Pacific drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You, about eight minutes post-launch.
Expanding Starlink with Direct-to-Cell Connectivity
This particular batch of satellites will further the Starlink mega constellation, now with over 6,400 satellites orbiting Earth. Of the newly launched units, 13 will carry DTC technology, which enables users with compatible cell phones to connect directly to Starlink’s satellites, improving internet and cellular access in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
The mission also marks a milestone for the Falcon 9 booster in use, which will complete its 14th launch and landing, underscoring SpaceX’s focus on reusability. The Falcon 9 has been integral to SpaceX’s record-breaking year, with more than 100 successful launches in 2024 alone. These launches have prioritized the rapid expansion of Starlink, which now aims to establish global internet access and has so far included over 250 DTC satellites in the constellation.
A Global Mission: Starlink’s Megaconstellation
Starlink’s continued development is reshaping internet access worldwide, supporting SpaceX’s goal of providing high-speed internet even to the most remote regions. This mission contributes to the nearly two-thirds of SpaceX’s 2024 launches dedicated to Starlink, helping to create a vast web of internet coverage from space.
With this expansion, SpaceX’s Starlink megaconstellation offers promising improvements in connectivity and coverage. While initially focused on remote internet service, the inclusion of DTC functionality could make Starlink a critical tool for global communication, including in emergency response situations.
Watching the Launch
SpaceX will broadcast the event live on X (formerly Twitter), starting about five minutes before the anticipated liftoff, giving viewers a chance to witness the Falcon 9’s launch, stage separation, and the spectacular first-stage landing on Of Course I Still Love You.
As SpaceX continues its rapid Starlink deployment, this latest launch signals an important step toward SpaceX’s vision of ubiquitous, reliable internet service and highlights the growing impact of satellite connectivity on worldwide communications.