SpaceX launched 52 Starlink satellites, a Capella Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, and Tyvak-0130.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster that supported this mission previously launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station, ANASIS-II, CRS-21, Transporter-1, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported the SXM-7 mission, and the other previously supported the NROL-108 mission.
There are now 1605 SpaceX Starlink satellites in orbit.
SpaceX is launching Starlink satellites about once a week in May, 2021. There have been 13 successful Starlink launches in 2021. This is the 19th week of the year.
SOURCES – SpaceX
Written by Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
I can't believe there are already 1605 Starlink satelites in orbit. The guy who figured that they should redesign satelites to rectangular dimensions and stack 60 of them on top of each other deserves a lot of credit.
As amateur astronomer I can say it is funny to see all that satelites in orbit. You see a convoy – like a train of satelites passing the sky in a line.
Word is that starlink comes out of beta this summer. I know someone that it will make a world of difference to. Even if your neighborhood has "cable internet" a long cable run can be prohibitively costly. I thought about wi-fi repeaters, but didn't want to travel hundreds of miles to install them.
Seems almost routine now.
https://youtu.be/BPlsqo2bk2M
Twinkle twinkle little star
You must be a small pulsar
Out away from earth you drift
This we know from your red shift
Twinkle twinkle little star
Degenerate matter is what you are
Stolen from Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder….. Oh, its another Starlink sat.
They make hard things look routine, but they aren't.
As the recent incident with Rocket Lab electron shows.