SpaceX Launches First Batch Of Direct-to-phone Starlink Satellites To Orbit
Keneci News @kenecifeed
Twenty-one Starlink satellites lifted off atop a Falcon 9 rocked, at 0313 UTC on Wednesday (Jan 3), from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. "This launch will include the first six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities that will enable mobile network operators around the world to provide seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters," SpaceX wrote in a mission description.
About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth for a vertical landing, touching down on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' droneship which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. This was the first launch and landing for this particular booster, according to the SpaceX mission description.
The 21 Starlink satellites, deployed from Falcon 9's upper stage into low Earth orbit about 63 minutes after liftoff.
This was SpaceX's first launch of 2024. The company set a record last year with 98 missions, including two Starship's test flights.
The Elon Musk rocket company is building a broadband megaconstellation of satellites in low earth orbit. The network currently consists of more than 5,100 active satellites. The new direct-to-cell satellites will help eliminate dead zones in parts of the world. "@TMobile @Rogers @official_kddi @Optus @onenzofficial @SaltMobile_DE @entel are the first providers using Direct to Cell for global access," SpaceX wrote on X.
WATCH SpaceX launch of 21 satellites to orbit.