SpaceX Launching Another Batch of its Next-Generation Starlink Satellites on March 1
SpaceX is continuing its mission to provide high-speed internet access to the world with the launch of its second-generation Starlink satellites. On February 28, 2023, the Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to deploy 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit.[0] These satellites, equipped with more powerful phased array antennas and the use of E-band for backhaul, will allow Starlink to provide four times the capacity per satellite than earlier iterations.[1] This launch is the 15th for SpaceX in 2023, with a total of 101 launches planned for this year.
The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage was reused from prior launches, including Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3 and two other Starlink missions.[2] Following separation, the first stage returned to Earth, landing on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.[3]
The Starlink satellites are equipped with a new argon-powered Hall thruster propulsion system, developed by SpaceX engineers, which offers 170 mN of thrust and is 2.4 times the thrust and 1.5 times the specific impulse of thrusters on first generation Starlink satellites.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted SpaceX approval Dec. 1 to launch up to 7,500 of its planned 29,988-spacecraft Starlink Gen2 constellation.[4] However, the launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc was postponed until March 1. This launch will deploy 51 Starlink satellites into orbit and will mark the fifth launch to the second Starlink shell.[5]
SpaceX is continuing to push forward in its mission to provide high-speed internet access to the world and will be launching another batch of its next-generation Starlink satellites on March 1. With the new argon-powered Hall thruster propulsion system, the satellites will provide increased capacity and improved connectivity. This will be the 101st launch of the year for SpaceX and the fifth launch to the second Starlink shell.
0. “SpaceX launches first upgraded Starlink satellites” SpaceNews, 28 Feb. 2023, https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-first-upgraded-starlink-satellites
1. “Triple launch day for SpaceX” Advanced Television, 27 Feb. 2023, https://advanced-television.com/2023/02/27/triple-launch-day-for-spacex-on-feb-27
2. “SpaceX resets Starlink Vandenberg launch for Thursday” Lompoc Record, 1 Mar. 2023, https://lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/spacex-resets-starlink-vandenberg-launch-for-thursday/article_2eb80d5f-9cb7-51f0-9caf-148ce429c34a.html
3. “SpaceX designates Monday, Feb. 27 as a Falcon 9 launch window for a Starlink satellite payload | News Channel 3-12” KEYT, 25 Feb. 2023, https://keyt.com/news/santa-maria-north-county/2023/02/24/spacex-designates-monday-feb-27-as-a-falcon-9-launch-window-for-a-starlink-satellite-payload/
4. “SpaceX unveils “V2 Mini” Starlink satellites with quadruple the capacity” Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2023, https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/02/spacexs-2nd-generation-starlink-satellites-start-launching-as-soon-as-today/
5. “SpaceX pushes Falcon 9 launch attempt to Wednesday” KSBY News, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/spacex-pushes-falcon-9-launch-attempt-to-wednesday
