SpaceX is preparing to launch 60 new Starlink satellites on May 19. to provide Internet access from Space.
Starlink Program
The goal of Starlink was to put a first cluster of 60 satellites into orbit as part of the Starlink program. Starlink is the name of a Project carried out by SpaceX to bring Internet access from space, in principle primarily for regions that are not or not at all served by conventional infrastructure. In all, the Starlink network would have thousands of satellites.
These satellites, once deployed in orbit, are not immediately functional. It will take tens to hundreds to provide a minimum level of regional coverage. It even takes several hundred for the quality of service to reach an appropriate threshold. The first phase of the project involves sending about 7,000 satellites. That number could be rise to 11,000.
Unlike conventional telecommunications satellites, Starlink-operated devices will operate in a particularly low orbit. Some of them will be positioned only at 550 kilometres altitude. In comparison, telecommunications satellites are placed very far away, in a so-called geostationary orbit, about 36,000 kilometers away.
The first wave of satellites will be deployed with a Falcon 9 launcher. This should also be the case for the following shipments. Elon Musk predicted that various problems might arise during this first stage, but he did not specify their nature: problems of satellite operation? Positioning on orbit? Deploying from storage racks? Answer will be given at time.
What's the mission of Starlink
Once again, the aim is to add new satellites to the Starlink constellation, which began in 2019. This flight is the eighth shot dedicated to this project, which, it should be remembered, aims to provide access to the Internet from space for regions of the world that are poorly covered in or devoid of terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure.
As with other launches, the Falcon 9 rocket's payload will contain sixty satellites. With them, the constellation will increase to 480 satellites. This will enable SpaceX, which is behind this program, to prepare for the upcoming launch of its offering as an Internet Service Provider.
SpaceX will become an ISP, providing satellite Internet access.
SpaceX will become an Internet Service Provider by the end of 2020. It is at this time that the American company plans to launch its Commercial Service Starlink, which consists of offering a connection to the network through satellites deployed in orbit around the Earth.
Despite the coronavirus and the constraints that the disease places on daily life and business activities, SpaceX has not paused its program: there are two launches dedicated to Starlink in January, and then one launch every month until May. Launches fired in June, July and August are also on track, as well as for almost all other months of the year.
True to its strategy, the rocket that will be used has elements that have already been used in previous missions: the first stage participated in two Starlink missions, as well as flights Iridium-8 and Telstar 18 Vantage. As always, satellites can be seen from Earth for a few days, until they settle in the right orbit and complete their maneuvers.
Launch Date
SpaceX announced the successful static firing of its launcher on May 13, and now they are preparing for the actual flight that is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 3:10 a.m. local time — the mission departs from Florida, on the east coast of the United States.
Update: The launch has been delayed due to tropical depression. Actual date will be Tuesday, May 19 at 3:10 a.m
Startlink Live Launch
The Live launch is broadcast on SpaceX's official website, as well as on its YouTube channel. We will include the video in this article when it is available.
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