Author Topic: SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites, as early internet speed tests are reported  (Read 293 times)

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Offline Elderberry

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By Caroline Glenn
Orlando Sentinel |
Aug 18, 2020 at 10:41 AM

SpaceX launched Tuesday its next batch of Starlink satellites, after people who have been testing the still-growing constellation recently posted online results from preliminary internet speed tests.

Fifty-eight Starlinks and three other satellites from Seattle-based Planet lifted off at 10:31 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s launch complex 41 atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

The booster for the launch has flown on five other missions and will likely be reused again because it successfully landed on SpaceX’s Of Course I Still Love You drone ship about eight minutes after liftoff.

The Earth-orbiting satellites on board will join others that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said he hopes can start delivering fast and affordable internet to all of North America by the end of the year, and eventually to the entire planet.

With Tuesday’s mission, 653 of the 12,000 satellites the Federal Communications Commission has approved will circle the Earth.

More: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-spacex-starlink-launch-tuesday-20200818-jjebmmu24zhnjo7elyw5quovyy-story.html