54 more Starlinks ready for launch
October 20, 2022
By Chris Forrester
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 54 Starlink satellites today, October 20th, from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The instantaneous launch window is at 10:50 am ET (14:50 pm UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Friday, October 21st at 10:29 a.m. ET (14:29 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell says there are 2,704 wholly working Starlinks in orbit, and another 205 being raised to their target locations. This extra 54 will take the overall total launched to 3,505, although some of this number have failed or been deorbited.