SpaceX will likely be launching a batch of 53 Starlink satellites right this moment, Saturday Might 14, from Area Launch Advanced 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Area Power Station in Florida. This marks the second Starlink launch the corporate is performing in simply 24 hours, with a earlier Starlink launch occurring yesterday from Vandenberg Area Power Base in California.
At this time’s launch will likely be livestreamed, together with the thrilling touchdown of the rocket’s first stage booster, and we’ve received the small print on how one can watch alongside at residence.
What to anticipate from the launch
SpaceX is launching an additional batch of satellites so as to add to its Starlink constellation, which goals to supply international broadband web entry for subscribers. Through the use of satellites to transmit knowledge, it’s potential to get dependable and fairly quick web entry even in areas with poor broadband protection, similar to rural or mountainous areas.
Starlink has already been helpful in offering web in emergency conditions the place conventional web providers have failed, similar to in Ukraine through the Russian invasion there and in Tonga following the massive eruption of a volcano.
SpaceX ultimately goals to launch as many as 42,000 Starlink satellites, with a number of thousand at present in orbit. The corporate commonly provides to this quantity by performing frequent Starlink launches utilizing its Falcon 9 rocket, such because the launch yesterday which you’ll be able to see highlights of beneath:
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/TWmYoVcNjW
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 13, 2022
At this time’s launch will comply with an analogous sample, with launch preparations and liftoff, adopted by deployment of the satellites. There’s additionally the primary stage of the rocket, additionally referred to as the booster, returning to Earth and being caught for future reuse. The booster is about to land within the Atlantic Ocean the place will probably be caught by the droneship Simply Learn the Directions.
Find out how to watch the launch
The launch, together with the catching of the booster, will likely be livestreamed by SpaceX. The launch is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. ET (1:40 p.m. PT) on Saturday, Might 14, although if the climate is unhealthy and precludes the launch there may be one other alternative at 4:12 p.m. ET (1:12 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Might 15.
Protection will start round 10 minutes earlier than launch, so round 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). You possibly can watch both by heading to SpaceX’s YouTube channel or by utilizing the video embedded close to the highest of this web page.
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