After a geomagnetic storm hampered the launch of 40 of the 49 Starlink satellites, SpaceX has done it again. In a recent development, the Elon-Musk-led space agency has relaunched 47 of its Starlink satellites, as well as those in low Earth orbit. The Starlink mission aims to expand its constellation to 12,000 satellites, although SpaceX has applied to launch an additional 30,000 satellites to scramble Earth’s satellite connectivity to new extremes. Read more to understand what’s in store.
To take off! pic.twitter.com/59L8tqFd3B
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 3, 2022
It’s a happy day for SpaceX researchers, as the space agency whose model revolves around low-cost and eco-friendly solutions for space development has proven it again with its new mission. In this recent development, the company launched 47 satellites as part of its Starlink 4-9 mission. The launch was performed at pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The take-off of the satellites was catalyzed using a Falcon 9 booster “B1060”.
This was our 9th launch of Falcon 9 in the first 9 weeks of 2022 pic.twitter.com/yuxVN1rR8t
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 3, 2022
Previous SpaceX mission that failed
Previously, SpaceX had lost 40 of its 49 Starlink satellites to a geomagnetic storm. The aforementioned satellites were deployed on February 3. GPS suggested that the escalation rate and severity of the storm caused drag to be up to 50 percent higher than during previous launches, resulting in the loss of the space agency. Although the satellites were satellites that were unsuccessful in launching, the Starlink team managed to put the satellites into a safe mode where they fly upside down (like a sheet of paper) to minimize drag and safely enter the atmosphere of to maneuver the earth.
Credit source: Twitter