SpaceX achieved a significant advancement in space exploration on Wednesday, November 27, by successfully launching 24 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, commencing at 11:41 PM EST (10:11 AM IST on November 28). This flight marked the Falcon 9’s 400th successful launch since its inaugural flight in 2010. According to updates from SpaceX on X (previously Twitter), the satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit approximately 65 minutes after liftoff.
Booster Recovery Highlights Reusability
The Falcon 9’s first stage successfully returned to Earth about eight minutes after launch, landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas positioned in the Atlantic Ocean. This accomplishment noted the 375th successful recovery of a Falcon first stage.
Mission details shared by SpaceX revealed that the booster utilized in this mission had completed 15 flights, with 11 dedicated to Starlink launches.
Starlink Network Expansion Intensifies
Reports indicate that SpaceX has carried out 117 Falcon 9 missions in 2024, with 81 aimed at enhancing the Starlink satellite constellation. In the last eight days alone, five missions have contributed to this rapid expansion, showcasing the company’s intensified efforts in growing the Starlink network. Astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell estimates that nearly 6,700 Starlink satellites are currently operational in orbit.
Context and Future Prospects
The Starlink network, recognized as the largest satellite constellation ever constructed, aims to provide global broadband internet access. These launches highlight the effectiveness of SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology, which has substantially decreased the costs associated with launching payloads into space. The Falcon 9 has emerged as a key component of SpaceX’s mission operations, with each successful flight reinforcing its reliability for orbital payload delivery. This milestone further solidifies Falcon 9’s essential role in contemporary space exploration and satellite deployment efforts.
