SpaceX Launches Another Batch of 60 Starlink Internet Satellites

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SpaceX Launches Another Batch of 60 Starlink Internet Satellites

By CircleID Reporter
June 05, 2020, 1:40 am PDT Views: 14,565 Comments: 1

On Wednesday, June 3 at 9:25 p.m. EDT, SpaceX launched its eighth Starlink mission. Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. (Photo: SapceX)

SpaceX launched its eighth Starlink mission via the Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday, carrying 60 more satellites for its Internet satellite constellation, bringing the total in operation on orbit to 480.

What’s different this time: Wednesday’s launch was the first Starlink satellite with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft, according to the company. This measure is in response to the opposition from the astronomical community concerned with the increasing number of satellites (in particular by SpaceX ), with their sun reflections disrupting scientific observations with terrestrial telescopes. In January, SpaceX also launched another experimental satellite with a dark coating to reduce reflectivity.

For a deeper insight, read today’s piece by Paul Budde and Fred Kappetijn: Hassle Over LEOs

By CircleID Reporter

CircleID’s internal staff reporting on news tips and developing stories. Do you have information the professional Internet community should be aware of? Contact us.

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Can't wait Bill Hartzer – Jun 17, 2020 9:00 PM

I know a lot of people in rural areas in the United States are really waiting for better internet access.

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