SpaceX Announces a Successful Launch of 60 Starlink Satellites

Elon Musk’s has long shared his plans to provide global Interne coverage with the world. There is still a long way to go before this goal – the launching of 12 thousand satellites into Earth orbit – is achieved, but the first step has been made.

The launch of Falcon 9 carrier rocket was supposed to take place a week ago, but it was rescheduled twice due to bad weather. Finally, the rocket took off from Cape Canaveral on May 24.

Packed inside the rocket were 60 miniature satellites of 227 kg each. With the launch of 18.5 tons into space (13.6 tons of satellites + other equipment), the company has set its own record.

The satellites were deployed at an altitude of 440 km and the carrier rocket landed near Florida 8.5 minutes later. The satellites’ operational altitude is 550 km. They are can stay in touch with the Earth and move around, but they do not yet form a single network.

In the coming year, SpaceX is planning to launch at least another one thousand of such devices to ensure at least minimal Starlink coverage. All 12 thousand satellites that will provide access to broadband Internet to people of the Earth will be launched after 2020.