SpaceX begins launching V2 mini Starlink satellites

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched the primary batch of its next-generation Starlink web satellites as the corporate upgrades and builds out its orbiting community.

A Falcon 9 rocket lifted 21 satellites referred to as “V2 mini” satellites into orbit on Monday. The satellites signify the primary iteration of Starlink’s “Gen2” plans, which the Federal Communications Fee approved in December.

Musk shared a video Of the V2 mini-satellites which can be launched from a rocket into orbit. Whereas launches of the corporate’s first-generation mannequin carried about 50 to 60 satellites at a time, the brand new spacecraft are bigger and heavier than earlier than, that means fewer satellites are carried in every Falcon 9 launch. The corporate ultimately plans to make use of its Starship rocket, which is in growth for future second-generation Starlink missions.

Previous to the launch, SpaceX highlighted the improved capabilities of the V2 Minis, corresponding to “extra highly effective phased array antennas” and “new Argonne Corridor thrusters” for maneuvering in orbit. The corporate mentioned the V2 mini satellites add roughly 4 instances extra community capability per satellite tv for pc than prior iterations.

Notably, Monday additionally represented the a hundredth consecutive event that SpaceX efficiently tried and landed a Falcon 9 rocket booster after launch — a streak courting again to February 16, 2021. The corporate is launching orbital rockets at an unprecedented fee, with one mission each 4 days on common in 2023.

The corporate has launched almost 4,000 Starlink satellites to this point, with its community reaching 1 million prospects in December — with providers for residential, business, RV, marine and aviation prospects.

Final week, SpaceX adjusted the pricing of its residential Starlink service based mostly on capability calls for.