SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites into polar orbit on Falcon 9 rocket from California – Spaceflight Now
File: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands in the launch position during sunset at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Image: SpaceX
Update July 19, 12:19 a.m. EDT: SpaceX adjusted the launch time.
SpaceX launched for a rare launch of its Starlink Version 2 Mini satellites into a polar orbit shortly after sunset on Friday night.
The mission, dubbed Starlink 17-3, adds another 24 satellites into the company’s megaconstellation consisting of more than 7,900 satellites on orbit, according to statistics compiled by expert orbital tracker and astronomer, Jonathan McDowell.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:52 p.m. PDT (11:52 p.m. EDT / 0352 UTC).
The Falcon 9 first stage ...