A Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 rocket launched 54 Starlink v1.5 satellites as part of Group 4-36 at 1451 GMT on 20 October 2022 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The SLC-40 pad was used. The reusable booster B1062 on its tenth flight, landed down range on the drone ship A Shorfall of Gravitas. So far this year, SpaceX has launched its Falcon 9 rocket 48 times – each a successful launch. The satellites from this launch will eventually be raised from their initial orbit to a 540 km orbit inclined at 53.2 degrees.
The part-completed Starlink constellation is already proving its worth in Ukraine as the company is providing free terminals, and hence internet access, to the invaded nation. Nevertheless, there was some controversy when SpaceX CEO Elon Musk complained via letter that the US Department of Defense should share some of the funding for this activity, before backtracking on his demand. In a separate development, the SpaceX Starlink operation has formalised the brand it has for airline internet connectivity to Starlink Aviation. Hawaiian Airlines was the first airline to sign up to this service earlier this year in order to provide free Wi-Fi to its passengers.
Frame from movie footage of B1062 landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship on 20 October 2022. Courtesy: SpaceX
