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SpaceX launches 20 smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell and one launch closer to completing the DTC constellation

Satnews captured the launch from SpaceX’s streaming video.

SpaceX launched 20 satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:23 p.m. PT.

SpaceX is nearing the end of its initial Direct to Cell constellation within the larger Starlink landscape. Following the Starlink 9-11 mission, Ben Longmier, SpaceX’s senior director of satellite engineering, said there will be three more launches to round out the constellation.

Satnews captured the launch from SpaceX’s streaming video.

This is the eighth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Oneweb 4, USSF-62, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX still on track Wednesday to launch Starlink Group 9-11 of 20 smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell

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SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, November 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:23 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, November 14 starting at 7:57 p.m. PT.

SpaceX is nearing the end of its initial Direct to Cell constellation within the larger Starlink landscape. Following the Starlink 9-11 mission, Ben Longmier, SpaceX’s senior director of satellite engineering, said there will be three more launches to round out the constellation.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This is the eighth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Oneweb 4, USSF-62, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX ‘one down of 13 Direct to Cell and three launches to go’ to round out the constellation including Starlink Group 9-11 smallsats on Wednesday

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SpaceX will launch 20 Starlink smallsats to include 13 Direct to Cell from Vandenberg on Wednesday, November 13 at 8:21 PM – 12:21 AM PST (11:21 p.m. EST, 0421 UTC).

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SpaceX is nearing the end of its initial Direct to Cell constellation within the larger Starlink landscape. Following the Starlink 9-11 mission, Ben Longmier, SpaceX’s senior director of satellite engineering, said there will be three more launches to round out the constellation.

After the two launches yesterday, Monday, Veterans Day, Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s vice president of launch, said the company has 26 more launches on its manifest before the end of the year. The Starlink 9-11 mission is set to be followed by the Starlink 6-68 mission, which may launch as soon as roughly six hours later.

Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed the launch of 165 rockets, including 165 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 777 rocket launches.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 58°F, few clouds, 22% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph