SpaceX launches 53 Starlink satellites into orbit:
SpaceX expanded its constellation of low Earth orbit satellites on Saturday with the launch of 53 Starlink satellites from Florida.
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:19 a.m. EST and deployed the satellites about 16 minutes after launch.
The rocket's reusable first stage, which has been used for multiple launches, including the first crewed test flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, successfully returned and landed on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Starlink is a satellite-based global internet system that SpaceX has been building for years to bring internet access to underserved areas of the world.
Earlier this week, SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station, including the 600th person to reach space in 60 years.
It took 21 hours for the flight from NASA's Kennedy Space Center to reach the glittering outpost.
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites after upgrading user antennas - SpaceNews:
[...] In addition to launching four other Starlink missions, the booster was used for SpaceX’s Crew Demo-2, ANASIS-11, CRS-21 and Transporter-1 missions.
SpaceX’s latest mission marked the 25th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket in 2021. Many of these missions have deployed Starlink broadband satellites for the rapidly expanding constellation.
To date, SpaceX has launched more than 1,800 Starlink satellites to build out global coverage.
[...] Starlink is serving about 140,000 users across 20 countries, according to a presentation SpaceX filed with the Federal Communications Commission Nov. 10, up about 40,000 from what it reported in August.
It said it had received more than 750,000 “orders/deposits globally” for the service.
However, pandemic-related silicon shortages have been delaying production and impacting its ability to fulfill orders.
Antennas have been a major sticking point for the company as it heavily subsidizes them to encourage adoption.
On Nov. 10, the FCC approved a new Starlink antenna that SpaceX has said would be cheaper to produce, although it continues to charge customers $499 for the hardware needed to connect to Starlink’s services.
The new rectangular dish is also thinner and lighter than its circular predecessor.
Starlink’s beta users have been using a 23-inch-wide, 16-pound circular user terminal for more than a year where the broadband services are available. They now have the option of buying a dish that is 12 inches wide and 19 inches long, weighing 16 pounds.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Frigatebird on Sunday November 14 2021, @06:19AM (1 child)
And hundreds of thousands of astrophotographers say, oh, no, not more! We will never see the Zogan Fleet coming, at this rate.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @05:01PM
You fool, that IS the Zogon fleet.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @07:54AM
Leeloo Dallas Multipass
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @03:51PM
I launched 100 million sperm into a dirty sock. Where's my X-Prize?
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @04:42PM (2 children)
sayZ something about a country that can't dig a trench and put down some cables "for society" but needs a hero to go all the way to outer space ...
ofc, it's a thinly veil global military communication network, co-opted at the drop of a hat for the greater good" -aka- "national security".
abrahms tank prolly has a mounting hold with the correct sized bolt for the new pizza box...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @07:00PM (1 child)
It says something about how spread out some parts of the world are that going to space is actually cheaper than plowing in some cables. Granted, it took a 'hero' to actually fund it despite the boatloads of money to be made once the system is fully deployed, but that just shows how short sighted and foolish greed actually makes people.
What is 'thinly veiled' about the US military is openly testing Starlink for military use? Putting one on a tank or other front line combat vehicle isn't likely, Dishy is too fragile for that, but ships, aircraft, and field bases are all likely candidates. They'd be fools not to look into it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @08:38PM
ah, yes the threat from mexico and canada ... and aliens!
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @07:43PM (1 child)
COP26, let's all pitch in and cut CO2. Take away your car, jack gas prices, add bullshit "carbon" taxes.
And then HRH Elon the Melon fires up 5000 junk satellites for his "internet project" and pumps 75 TONS of CO2 into the atmosphere. Or Jeff's buddies and other zillionaires go for a Space Jaunt - spewing TONS of the evil CO2 again.
But no, its all OUR fault. Stop eating meat, cows fart up the air, PETA and Greta are having a fit...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 15 2021, @07:44AM
Thanks for trolling . I see you have the grasp of the problems as well as you've grasped water. Squeeze harder next time?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 14 2021, @07:46PM
This is routine stuff now. Not that I don't like hearing about SpaceX, for instance something on SuperHeavy would be better