SpaceX Has Successfully Launched 58 Satellites Into Space

SpaceX has successfully launched 58 satellites into space:

A SpaceX Falcon 9 took off just two weeks after another of the company's rockets sent NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.

This latest event is the first Starlink ride-share, carrying 58 of its own broadband satellites along with three Earth observing spacecraft for Planet Labs.

The Planet's SkySat fleet now stands at 18 and there are plans to launch another three - making 21 in total (some quick maths for you, there).

SpaceX

This is the ninth batch of Starlink satellites to be sent into orbit, taking the total to over 500, with the last 60 sent up from Cape Canaveral on 3 June.

You might be wondering why exactly SpaceX is launching all these satellites - aside from providing some much needed entertainment while we're all still in lockdown.

The mission aims to eventually have tens of thousands of orbiting routers which are designed to improve the planet's broadband internet access.

SpaceX

The company's website explains: "With performance that far surpasses that of traditional satellite internet, and a global network unbounded by ground infrastructure limitations, Starlink will deliver high speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable."

As well as the Starlink satellites, three Planet SkySat satellites will be launched - another kind of fancy satellite. As Planet explain, the satellites will 'operate at a 'mid-inclination' orbit of 53 degrees, complimenting the Sun Synchronous fleet, and will offer 'more targeted coverage and raw image capacity in key geographic regions'.

SpaceX

When people tuned in to watch the last SpaceX live stream, there were a number of space fanatics that spotted unidentified flying objects (otherwise known as UFOs).

UFO expert Pedro Ramirez wrote on his Facebook page: "May 30, 2020. So far two UFOs have been detected during launch, the first of them can be observed very close to the stratosphere, the next one seems to be closer to the Crew Dragon, however we are still checking the captured material from ground by the fans.

"During the mission's development, we will be looking out for everything that could arise around UFOs in space, especially those who may be close to the time of coupling with the ISS... It's time to believe."

Topics: News, SpaceX, Technology

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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