On Thursday, July 31 at 11:35 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 19 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California
Unlike the typical launch that provides continuous coverage with the release of the separation of the payload fairing that previously has been an indication that additional classified satellites, that are based on the company’s Starshield platform, were aboard.
Based on pre-launch information, the mission’s payloads were planned for a polar orbit of 202×193 miles (325×311 km), inclined at 97.6 degrees to the equator. An hour after launch SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of 19 Starlink satellites.
This was the 27th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, Transporter-13, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, NROL-153, NROL-192, and now 16 Starlink missions
SpaceX to launch Starlink Group 13-4 with 19 smallsats from California on Wednesday
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is targeted to launch 19 Starlink smallsats to the Starlink constellation to low-Earth orbit on July 30, at 08:39 – 12:39 PDT, from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This will be the 27th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, Transporter-13, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, NROL-153, NROL-192, and 15 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.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.