SatNews

SpaceX launches Starlink smallsats Group 11-20 as sun sets in California on Sunday

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched 28 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit to join the Starlink constellation from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos captured by Satnews.

The forecast indicated a temperature of 69°F, broken clouds, 62% cloud cover and a wind speed of 6mph.

This is the 28th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, NAOS, and 18 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX plans Sunday launch of Starlink smallsats Group 11-20 from California

Vacation doesn’t have to mean total disconnection. Starlink kept this family and friends connected from Montana to Alaska on their classic car roadtrip. “My husband and I planned a trip to Alaska with another couple. Both of us drove our 1930 & 1931 Model A Ford Delivery Trucks from Montana to Alaska. In order to stay in touch with our Model A Restoration business and my mother (who is 90) we invested in a Starlink Mini…”

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 28 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 68°F, clear skies, 3% cloud cover and a wind speed of 8mph.

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 28th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, NAOS, and 18 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.