Matthew Jordan SpaceX, Starlink

Starlink Constellation Continues to Grow as SpaceX Launches Ninth Batch

Featured Image: Falcon 9/Starlink 9 streaks into space. (Image credit: Next Horizons Spaceflight/Stephen Marr

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The Falcon 9 booster carrying the ninth batch of Starlink satellites pierced the early morning Florida sky as it successfully thundered into space at 5:21 AM EDT (9:21 UTC). This is the ninth Starlink mission and it will deliver 58 Starlink satellites and 3 Earth observing SkySats for Planet. The booster successfully landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic ocean. This was the third launch for this booster, which was previously used to support CRS-19 and 20.

The Starlink constellation continue to grow, moving towards an operation low latency satellite broadband network. SpaceX has stated previously that they require about 760 satellites to be able to provide moderate global broadband coverage. With this launch, the constellation has reached 535 active satellites of 538 launched, with three being purposefully deorbited earlier this year.

SpaceX has also started a mailing list to deliver updates when Starlink service becomes available in your area. Check out Starlink.com to see when you will be able to connect to this new network.

Stay tuned to Next Horizons Spaceflight for all of your Space Coast space news!

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