Alexander Lewis
Mar 11, 2024
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket soared into the skies, deploying 23 Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, on Sunday.
This launch marked another significant step in expanding SpaceX's ambitious Starlink project, aiming to blanket the globe with high-speed internet coverage, especially in regions lacking ground-based internet infrastructure.
The liftoff occurred at Space Launch Complex 40 precisely at 7:05pm, with the Falcon 9 transporting the satellites into low-Earth orbit. Notably, the first-stage booster used in this mission is a veteran of space travel, having completed ten previous missions, including notable flights like Crew-5 and Inmarsat I6-F2.
Read more: SpaceX Falcon 9 adds more Starlink satellites, reaches 300th successful launch
In a testament to SpaceX's prowess in reusable rocket technology, the company once again demonstrated its precision landing capabilities. The first stage booster was successfully retrieved, landing on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
This launch adds to the increasingly dense network of Starlink satellites, a project that represents SpaceX’s commitment to providing global internet connectivity and showcases the company's continuing strides in space technology.
What's Starlink Internet
Starlink is a satellite internet provider which has been delivering unmatched internet speeds since 2019 when the first batch of its 60 satellites flew into space.
It's a satellite-based internet connection: The fact that makes it an ultimate choice for those living far from the city life, in rural and remote settings, where cable and fibre can't reach and neither would they be functional there.
Should you opt for Starlink internet?
Pros
- Solid performance with no limitations on data
- Easily beats rural ISP options
- Simple contracts and straightforward billing
Cons
- Upfront equipment purchase is expensive
- Limited availability in some areas
- Service can be affected by congestion
