SpaceX launches 13 new Direct to Cell satellites from California (November 17)

On November 17, 2024, SpaceX launched a new Falcon 9 mission to orbit to deploy 20 Starlink satellites. 13 of these are equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities. With this new mission, the company is two more launches away from completing this satellite constellation.

Direct to Cell services provide direct connectivity, unlike Starlink terminal, this new solution brings communication without any modification just like a wireless data plan.

SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile in the US to launch direct to cell services for smartphone owners. This will allow them to continue to receive signals even in remote areas. These services could launch earliest by next month but we’ll have to wait for an official announcement.

The latest Falcon 9 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The weather for this flight remained favorable as SpaceX confirmed the propellant load alongside the weather conditions.

With this flight, the first stage completed its 18th flight to the upper atmosphere and maneuvered back to Earth to land on a droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The company has shared a video of the landing linked below.