Starlink: follow live the departure of 47 more satellites in space

The Starlink launch in a nutshell

• What ? Putting 47 Starlink satellites into orbit;
• When ? March 3, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. (Paris time);
• Where ? At Kennedy Space Center, Florida;
• What will we see? Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket.

What is SpaceX’s mission?

This is a new shipment for the benefit of Starlink, the constellation of satellites set up by SpaceX to provide Internet access from space. The launch planned for the beginning of March will lead to the putting into orbit of 47 additional satellites, while the network already in place around the Earth now has more than two thousand. It is considerable.

The mission marks SpaceX’s sixth liftoff for Starlink in 2022 — previous missions took place on January 6 and 19, and February 3, 21 and 25.

One of them, moreover, went wrong: a magnetic storm caused the loss of 40 satellites. The disturbances on the atmosphere had the effect of modifying the drag of the satellites during their ascent, which could not reach the desired altitude. A maneuver was certainly attempted by the American company to limit the breakage, but it did not work.

This mission takes place in a somewhat particular context. With the war between Ukraine and Russia, the government in Kiev called for help from the international community and, among others, Elon Musk and SpaceX. Starlink is seen as a backup solution in the event of an internet outage in the country, caused by strikes or a cyberattack. SpaceX was there.

For further

When does the Falcon 9 rocket take off?

SpaceX plans to launch the mission during the day on March 3, at 9:35 a.m. (local time). In France, the afternoon will be well advanced, as it will be 3:30 p.m. The rocket will launch from a launch pad located in Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on the east coast of the United States. If necessary, SpaceX has the option of retrying a shot the next day.