The satellites have been launched from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and they will be deployed in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX says if needed, “there is a backup opportunity available on Thursday, December 29.
The spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and satellite communications company says that its Falcon 9 first-stage booster has completed 10 missions, including 5 Starlink missions. These include GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, and Nilesat 301.
Significance of new 54 Starlink satellites’ launch
SpaceX says that this launch marks the first of Starlink’s upgraded network. “Under our new licence, we are now able to deploy satellites to new orbits that will add even more capacity to the network,” the company said on its website.
The addition of these satellites will enable the company to add more customers and provide faster service, especially to those in areas that are currently over-subscribed.
SpaceX to launch 7,500 satellites in this decade
Recently, reports said that SpaceX received a green light for deploying an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites to provide internet in various parts of the world. It will increase the number of Starlink low-orbiting satellites to over 10,000 over the next decade.
SpaceX already has 3,500 first-generation Starlinks and claims it is in a position to offer “full and continuous” smartphone coverage with 2,000 equipped Gen2 satellites as soon as 2024.
Starlink to offer mobile internet
Multiple reports suggested that Starlink will soon provide internet directly to people’s smartphones without the need for any special equipment. CNET reported that Starlink will be able “to provide voice, messaging, and basic web browsing at theoretical peak speeds of up to either 3.0 Mbps or 7.2 Mbps peak upload… and up to either 4.4 Mbps or 18.3Mbps on the downlink.”
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