SpaceX Launching 22 Satellites Today: Here’s How to Watch
Elon Musk’s rocket-blasting SpaceX is due to launch 22 satellites into space today – and it should be visible from at least two states. The billionaire’s space company is preparing to use a Falcon 9 rocket to deliver a Starlink payload to low-Earth orbit.
Starlink Satellites and Internet Beam Down
Musk’s fleet of Starlink satellites are designed to beam down internet to customers on Earth. It’s an alternative to cabled internet that requires minimal on-the-ground infrastructure.
Launch Details and Visibility
The launch is expected to take place at 7.30pm PDT (10.30pm EDT) from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, north of Los Angeles. It is set to be visible from Arizona and potentially other nearby states like Nevada and Utah.
Starlink Success and Subscriber Count
The first Starlink launches took place in 2019, and SpaceX has now placed over 6,000 of the satellites into orbit. Musk is aiming for an initial goal of at least 12,000 satellites in orbit, with a possible extension to 42,000. Currently, 2.6 million Starlink subscribers are receiving internet from SpaceX.
Next Steps for SpaceX: Starship Launch
SpaceX has made dozens of Starlink launches, but Musk is preparing for something much more exciting. The billionaire tech mogul is expecting to make his next Starship launch in early May. The Starship, a super-heavy rocket that could one day take humans to Mars, has been in development for some time.
The Future of SpaceX: Starship Reusability
He hopes that the rocket will make it to orbit and then come safely back to Earth for the first time. Starship is designed to be reusable, although the rocket has yet to make a successful return to Earth. Musk plans for Starship to enable missions to orbit, the Moon, and eventually even to Mars.