SpaceX’s latest launch has created a stunning sight along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
A Falcon 9 rocket launched 52 Starlink spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral space station in Florida on Saturday at 7:32 p.m. EDT (2332 GMT). Due to the clear conditions on the shoreline, it was visible at least as far north as Long Island.
Viewers near the launch pad saw the Falcon 9 first stage drop back to Earth for a soft landing atop the SpaceX A Shortfall of Gravitas “droneship”, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX is working on expanding its Starlink megaconstellation, which is now recruiting customers from remote places like Antarctica. The company has already sent nearly 3,400 Starlinks into space and plans to raise thousands more.
Related: This NASA camera melted during a SpaceX rocket launch, but the photos survived!
The Falcon 9 upper stage deployed all 52 Starlinks as planned, SpaceX confirmed via Twitter (opens in a new tab). Saturday’s launch was SpaceX’s 43rd orbital mission this year, adding another notch to the company’s annual liftoff record. (Its previous high of 31 was set in 2021.)
While SpaceX plans 100 launches in 2023, the company plans to field Starlink Version 2 (V2) satellites that officials say will be more capable than current sets. For example, the V2 satellites will interface directly with smartphones, including T-Mobile customers through a project called “Coverage Above and Beyond,” SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk announced last month.
The V2 satellite clutches will go into space aboard the giant next-generation Starship vehicle that will be tasked with missions to deep space, the moon and Mars if the company’s plans come to fruition. Starship’s first orbital test flight is “very likely” to take place in November, Musk said recently.
Hundreds of miles away, the Saturday sunset launch generated spectacular photography from professionals and amateurs alike, who shared their images on social media.
INCREDIBLE footage of the @spacex launch from a C-17 cockpit over the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks for the pics @mavliocca pic.twitter.com/fSO8zHTlKHSeptember 25, 2022
A @SpaceX #falcon9 #Starlink launch tonight as seen from… NEW YORK!!! WOWWWWWW!!! pic.twitter.com/ykTfLtG2bjSeptember 24, 2022
I watched the launch of StarlinkTo end a day’s drive. It’s really worth it. Fourteen hour drive, just to get home tomorrow. At least something has been launched! .com/OofK7VQZ0LSeptember 25, 2022
This is what a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch looks like from Cape Canaveral, Florida in New Hampshire pic.twitter.com/0JIcjjN3hHSeptember 24, 2022
Another photo from last night’s #Falcon9 #Starlink launch. This is the 2nd firing stage after separation; and some highlights on the 1st leg before it returns and lands on #ASOG off the #NC coast. @SpaceX #sobx #spacex #northcarolina @TimBuckleyWX @considercosmos pic.twitter.com/U6yOirTy9uSeptember 25, 2022
SpaceX Starlink launch spotted from Long Island New York! @CBSNewYork @NBCNewYork @News12LI @LeeGoldbergABC7 pic.twitter.com/fdF3Gjg8npSeptember 24, 2022
Spectacular liftoff after sunset of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and 52 Starlink satellites tonight pic.twitter.com/FU0uk6BR4JSeptember 25, 2022
Falcon 9 launches 52 Starlink satellites into orbit pic.twitter.com/A4eGu4lmz0September 25, 2022
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