SpaceX is set to achieve a significant milestone this week by launching its 250th mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Florida. This comes as the company plans three Starlink missions in the near future, building on its impressive track record. Notably, last week, SpaceX surpassed over 250 dedicated Starlink launches with the successful completion of the Starlink Group 12-23 mission.
SpaceX continues to enhance the capabilities of its Falcon 9 rocket, recently achieving a record launch of 29 Starlink satellites. This mission also marked the 50th for the company this year and signifies a remarkable streak, as it recorded its 100th consecutive successful landing of the Falcon 9 booster. Booster B1078, involved in this milestone, has become the ninth in SpaceX’s fleet to complete 20 flights.
While SpaceX leads the satellite launch sector, other nations, including China, remain competitive. Recently, a planned launch of the Chang Zheng 12A was postponed without an official reason. This mission aimed to deploy the fourth batch of Xingwang satellites, part of China’s effort to establish a megaconstellation to compete with Starlink.
April 2023 saw a record-breaking month for space launches, with 26 rockets launched, showcasing the growing global demand for satellite communications. May appears set to follow this high-paced trend with ongoing missions planned.
The first of the upcoming Starlink missions is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, with a four-hour launch window opening at 8:22 PM EDT. This mission will utilize the Falcon 9 rocket to deliver 28 Starlink v2 Mini satellites, contributing to the ongoing expansion of the Group 6 shell, which enhances the constellation’s capabilities.
Booster B1085, set for its seventh flight, is expected to successfully land on SpaceX’s autonomous droneship, Just Read The Instructions. This booster has seen varied missions, including Crew-9 and several Starlink satellite deployments.
A second Falcon 9 launch is anticipated for Friday, May 9, likely marking the milestone 250th Falcon launch from SLC-40. This pad has undergone significant upgrades since its transformation for Falcon 9 operations, becoming an important hub for satellite launches worldwide.
SpaceX has already launched over 8,400 Starlink satellites, of which nearly 1,100 are no longer operational. The Starlink constellation currently encapsulates over 63% of the active satellites in orbit, highlighting its dominance in satellite communications.
Looking forward, a third mission on Friday, May 9, from Vandenberg Space Force Base aims to launch 26 Starlink v2 Mini satellites, following delays due to weather conditions.
As SpaceX continues to innovate and expand, the future of satellite communications looks promising, with the company’s advancements paving the way for enhanced connectivity options across the globe.