SpaceX Successfully Deploys 28 Starlink Satellites from Florida, Achieving 52 Launches over the Weekend

SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of satellite internet technology with two consecutive Starlink launches over the weekend. The latest mission, which took place at 7:49 a.m. ET/4:49 a.m. PT on Sunday, saw a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 28 Starlink satellites soaring into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Just over an hour after liftoff, at the 1:04:00 mark, the Starlink satellite deployment was confirmed. This launch is part of SpaceX's rapid expansion of the Starlink satellite internet constellation, bringing the total number of new internet-beaming satellites launched over the weekend to 52.

The Falcon 9 booster used in the latest Starlink launch has supported 23 missions, including high-profile ones like Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, TD7, and 16 previous Starlink launches. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9 first stage landed on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Starship test flight, SpaceX's broader ambition, successfully completed its 10th test flight, marking the first mock deployment of next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. The "Pez dispenser"-like satellite deployment method signaled how future Starship launches could significantly increase deployment capacity.

SpaceX announced it had surpassed 7 million users worldwide for its Starlink satellite internet service, across 150 countries. This expansion is a testament to the growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet services in remote and underserved areas.

It's worth noting that the previous day, SpaceX sent 24 Starlink satellites into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The back-to-back Starlink launches highlight SpaceX's aggressive pace in scaling its Starlink network.

However, there are no search results specifying the captain of the ship on which the Falcon 9 booster of SpaceX landed after the last flight on Sunday morning. This information was not available at the time of writing.

As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite technology, we can expect more exciting developments in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on SpaceX's continued efforts to revolutionize the internet and pave the way for a more connected world.