SpaceX increases Starlink payloads
February 28, 2024
By Chris Forrester
On February 27th 2023, SpaceX it launched its first batch of its Starlink Version-2 satellites – 21 of them were launched into their transfer orbits.
However, SpaceX has steadily increased the number of these V2 craft on each rocket. A few months after that debut launch it managed to carry an extra satellites, and placing 22 satellites into the cargo bay on June 4th 2023.
On October 22nd 2023 it squeezed another satellite on top of the Falcon 9 rocket, and placed 23 satellites into orbit.
On February 25th it added yet another, taking the manifest up to 24 satellites. It was the thirteenth launch of the Falcon 9 rocket’s booster.
SpaceX sources suggest that the technical team is looking to increase the load to 28 craft by year end.