SpaceX company, launches 60 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
On May 23rd, Falcon-9 rocket that carried 60 satellites. These satellites have the capability to provide high-speed internet connections to the people on the ground.
SpaceX’s Starlink is a next-generation satellite network capable of connecting the globe, especially reaching those who are not yet connected, with reliable and affordable broadband internet services.
In the future, SpaceX aims to launch nearly 12,000 spacecraft for its “Starlink” network.
SpaceX designed Starlink to connect end users with low latency, high bandwidth broadband services by providing continual coverage around the world using a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. To manufacture and launch a constellation of such scale, SpaceX is using the same rapid iteration in design approach that led to the successes of Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon.
With a flat-panel design featuring multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array, each Starlink satellite weighs approximately 227kg.
To adjust position on orbit, maintain intended altitude, and deorbit, Starlink satellites feature Hall thrusters powered by krypton. Designed and built upon the heritage of Dragon, each spacecraft is equipped with a star tracker navigation system that allows SpaceX to point the satellites with precision.
Importantly, Starlink satellites are capable of tracking on-orbit debris and autonomously avoiding collision.
Additionally, 95 percent of all components of this design will quickly burn in Earth’s atmosphere at the end of each satellite’s lifecycle—exceeding all current safety standards—with future iterative designs moving to complete disintegration.
SpaceX, founded in 2002, designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Revolutionising the space technology, SpaceX foresees to enable people to live on other planets.
Source: www.spacex.com, BBC.com
