SpaceX
SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off 13 new Direct to Cell satellites (July 28, 2024)
On July 28, 2024, SpaceX launched a new Falcon 9 mission with 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit, which includes 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. The rocket lifted this payload from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Force Base in California.
The launch was two weeks after the company lost 20 satellites in a second-stage burn failure including 13 Direct to Cells. This time, SpaceX successfully completed the mission.
Related – Falcon 9 second stage compromised the 70th SpaceX mission of 2024
Liftoff of Falcon 9 under the power of nine Merlin engines! pic.twitter.com/iyHg5C31An
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2024
Hours ago, the company also launched 23 Starlink satellites from Florida and this was the second flight from the doubleheader.
Stage separation and second stage ignition pic.twitter.com/5FiSrJzVPk
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2024
After stage separation, the rocket maker returned to the first stage and landed on a droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 17th flight for the first stage and previously supported major NROL, SARah, SWOT, and Transporter missions.
Falcon 9’s first stage completes its 17th flight with a landing on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship pic.twitter.com/SrBZGt691Z
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2024
(source – SpaceX)