Third Time’s a Charm – SpaceX Launched Its First Batch of Starlink Satellites

After SpaceX failed attempts last week to launch its own payload, a whopping 60 Starlink satellites into space, they were finally successful this week. Last week’s scrubs were due to upper-level winds the first try and SpaceX itself pulled the plug before the second try to update satellite software and triple check everything.

Standing down to update satellite software and triple-check everything again. Always want to do everything we can on the ground to maximize mission success, next launch opportunity in about a week.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 17, 2019

After the second scrub last week, SpaceX announced on Twitter that they will target a new launch in about a week. And they nailed it. As always – Thir Time’s a Charm.

The new launch date was set to May 23, 2019, exactly seven days after the second scrub. Also, the timing was perfect. The launch window opened at 10:30 p.m. EDT and without holds, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted the stack of Starlink satellites into orbit right as planned.

By the way, this was the third launch of the first stage booster. It has previously flown in support of the Telstar 18 VANTAGE and Iridium-8 missions

Deployment of the satellites worked and the first set of 60 Starlink satellites is now in LEO (Low Earth Orbit).

This is the first step to get the Starlink network operational. SpaceX is currently targeting up to6 more launches this year and speeds up their launch frequency next year to put about 720 satellites into orbit for continuous coverage of most populated areas on Earth.

Falcon 9 launches 60 Starlink satellites to orbit – targeting up to 6 Starlink launches this year and will accelerate our cadence next year to put ~720 satellites in orbit for continuous coverage of most populated areas on Earth pic.twitter.com/HF8bCI4JQD

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 24, 2019

Photos of the Starlink Launch