SpaceX Launches Historic 7,001st Starlink Satellite

Mission Marks Significant Milestone in Musk's Broadband Ambitions

On Friday, August 26, 2022, at approximately 11:34 a.m. EDT, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The historic mission marked the deployment of the 7,001st Starlink satellite, bringing the total constellation size to an unprecedented level.

Payload Details and Mission Highlights

In addition to the 7,001st Starlink satellite, the Falcon 9 rocket also carried 20 smallsats for various commercial and government customers. These secondary payloads included satellites from Spire Global, Kepler Communications, and the University of New South Wales.

The launch proceeded smoothly, with the Falcon 9 successfully deploying all 21 satellites into their intended orbits. The Starlink satellites will now undergo a series of checkouts and maneuvers before becoming operational and joining the existing Starlink constellation.

The successful launch and deployment of the 7,001st Starlink satellite represent a significant milestone for SpaceX and its ambitious Starlink project. With over 7,000 satellites now in orbit, SpaceX is well on its way to providing global high-speed internet coverage.

Significance of the Milestone

The deployment of the 7,001st Starlink satellite is a testament to SpaceX's rapid progress in building out its Starlink constellation.

The Starlink constellation is designed to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to underserved areas around the world. Once fully operational, the constellation will consist of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, providing coverage to remote locations, rural communities, and even aircraft and ships at sea.

Future Plans and Expectations

SpaceX plans to continue launching Starlink satellites at a rapid pace in the coming months and years.

The company has already received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch up to 12,000 Starlink satellites. It is expected that SpaceX will eventually launch tens of thousands of satellites to provide comprehensive global coverage.

Conclusion

The launch of the 7,001st Starlink satellite is a major step forward for SpaceX and its mission to provide global internet access. With over 7,000 satellites now in orbit, SpaceX is well on its way to achieving its ambitious goals.