Rocket Launch Today: SpaceX Adds Another 28 Starlink Satellites To Its Growing Fleet

SpaceX on Thursday launched another batch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. 

Thursday’s launch deployed 28 Starlink satellites, adding to the larger constellation of over 8,000 satellites. The launch took place at 8:29 a.m. (ET). On Socktwits, retail sentiment around SpaceX was in ‘bullish’ territory. 

Following stage separation, the first stage successfully landed on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. This marked the booster’s tenth rocket launch, having previously carried out Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1, Fram2, SXM-10, MTG-S1, and three Starlink missions.

The rocket launch was SpaceX’s second in less than 10 hours, following a Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California earlier the same morning, which put another 24 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has steadily been launching these satellites since 2019, with plans to expand the constellation further. Over the past year, the company has been securing new deals with companies interested in using Starlink’s satellite internet service. It already has deals with both of the leading telecom providers in India, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to offer its services across the country. 

SpaceX has also signed a deal with Virgin Atlantic Airways in July to overhaul onboard wifi across its entire fleet. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that SpaceX is in advanced talks with Saudi Arabia’s airline carrier, Saudia, to offer Starlink’s services for in-flight connectivity. United Airlines and Qatar Airways have also inked deals to improve high-speed connectivity for their passengers. 

Read also: Bitcoin Rally Cools After Record High – ADA Tops Altcoin Gains As Traders Await PPI, Jobless Claims Data

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