SatNews

SpaceX finally launches 20 Starlink smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell on Thursday

Photo captured on Thursday, July 11, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX experienced a foggy launch of 20 Starlink smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell satellites, on Thursday, July 11, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California at 7:32 PST.

Satellite separation captured on Thursday, July 11, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

Likewise the booster faithfully returned and was visible through the fog. This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, and 13 Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX changes launch date again now Thursday to launch 20 Starlink small sats including 13 Direct to Cell

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Delay again as this launch has been passed down the line for days. The determination for the change of date on Wednesday occurred well before the intended launch at 7:39 tonight. Fingers crossed for Thursday.

Now SpaceX is targeting Thursday, July 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.

Liftoff is targeted for 7:39 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:37 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, July 12 starting at 6:13 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

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Photo captured on Monday, July 8, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX’s Wednesday sendoff of 20 Starlink small sats including 13 Direct to Cell

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Photo captured on Monday, July 8, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

A few changes of dates but at last SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, July 10 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California. Liftoff is targeted for 7:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:00 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, July 11 starting at 6:37 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.