SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:45 p.m. ET. This was the third launch in two days. The Starlink 6-63 mission was also notable as it occurred on the fifth anniversary of the first dedicated Starlink launch, Starlink v0.9 on May 23, 2019.
SpaceX sent another batch of 23 Starlink smallsats off on May 22 aboard Falcon 9 to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:35 p.m. which was the second mission in less than 24 hours for the company when earlier on Wednesday morning NROL146 was launched from Vandenberg in California.
This is the 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX’s hat trick with two launches down yesterday and one today
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, May 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 10:45 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:13 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 24 starting at 6:26 p.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX’s second launch in under 24 on two coasts
The NROL146 launch was obscured with heavy fog early in the morning at Vandenberg.Photo captured on Wednesday, May 22, by Satnews from SpaceX video stream.
