SpaceX will make its final launch today, sending 46 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on one of its Falcon 9 rockets.
It comes after last week he launched the largest and most powerful space rocket ever built – a spacecraft – that exploded violently after leaving SpaceX’s Texas space base.
In a series of tweets, SpaceX described the explosion as a “quick unplanned demolition” but said the launch was a complete success despite the explosion. The company said it only hoped to clean up the launch pad, which it did.
Ultimately, according to SpaceX, the spacecraft will be able to carry up to 100 people on long interplanetary flights, deliver satellites, help establish a lunar base, and carry out direct transportation on Earth – traveling anywhere in the world. allow an hour or less.
Today’s Starlink launch is less ambitious as it continues a project to send satellites into orbit to bring internet to more distant parts of the world. Here’s everything you need to know.
When will SpaceX Starlink launch?
SpaceX is scheduled to launch Wednesday, April 26 at 6:40 AM PT (2:40 PM BST) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. In this case, the fallback will be available on Thursday, April 27.
The launch will be streamed live right here on this page starting at 2:30 pm, as well as on the SpaceX YouTube channel.
The launch was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed until propeller loading was due to take place.
What is the purpose of the launch?
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite network that provides affordable internet to remote locations.
Eventually, SpaceX hopes to have up to 42,000 satellites in what it calls a “mega constellation.” The current number is just over 3200.
They orbit about 342 miles above the Earth’s surface and can be seen with a stargazing app without binoculars.
“Starlink is ideal for regions where communications were unreliable or not available at all,” the Starlink website says. “People all over the world use Starlink to access education, medical services and even keep in touch during natural disasters.”
Starlink has helped Ukraine connect to the internet since Russia launched its invasion last year. However, the project has also generated controversy, with some astronomers claiming that the satellites could cause collisions in space or affect the Earth’s climate.
At Wednesday’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket will return to Earth about eight and a half minutes after launch, where it will land on the deck of SpaceX’s “Of course I still love you” drone ship off the coast of California.