SpaceX Successfully Deploys 28 Starlink Satellites in Latest Falcon 9 Mission
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SpaceX continued its rapid expansion of the Starlink internet constellation with the successful launch of 28 new satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on October 28. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the batch of broadband satellites, lifted off at 7:20 p.m. EDT, marking another milestone in Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to provide global high-speed internet coverage. The first-stage booster, designated B1077, completed its 11th flight, landing smoothly on the droneship *A Shortfall of Gravitas* stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This reusability milestone underscores SpaceX’s cost-efficient approach to spaceflight, with boosters now routinely flying over a dozen missions. The newly deployed satellites will join the growing Starlink megaconstellation, which already consists of over 5,000 operational units in low Earth orbit (LEO). Once fully integrated, these satellites will enhance coverage and reduce latency for users worldwide, particularly in underserved regions. SpaceX has faced criticism from astronomers over light pollution caused by the satellites, but the company has implemented mitigation measures, including sunshades and adjusted orbital orientations. Meanwhile, competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and OneWeb are racing to establish their own broadband networks, intensifying the commercial space race. This mission was the 70th Falcon 9 launch of 2023, further solidifying SpaceX’s dominance in the global launch market. With regulatory approval for up to 42,000 Starlink satellites, the company shows no signs of slowing down.
