After a series of weather delays, SpaceX launched 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station just after midnight.
Originally desiring to launch at 10:20 p.m. ET, weather forced SpaceX to delay a few times to the top of their launch while storm clouds cleared across the Space Coast.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/IkhDAaCc8R
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2023
The 22 Starlink satellites were launched to the South East from Space Launch Complex 40 to affix Group 6 of the Starlink constellation. This mission, Starlink Group 6-7, was launched right into a 43-degree orbital inclination. SpaceX is now only launching these upgraded V2 mini Starlinks as they improve their constellation capabilities and phase out older, less capable Starlink satellites.
One advantage of launching after summer thunderstorms in Florida is the added humidity. Shortly before the Falcon 9 hit Max Q (Maximum Dynamic Pressure), the Falcon 9 accelerated past supersonic speeds, and with high humidity, it could actually create a vapor cone across the rocket.
SpaceX delays Falcon Heavy, moves forward with Starlink launch
Last night, SpaceX photographer, Ben Cooper, captured just that as a large vapor cone formed and even created a rainbow effect as the sunshine from the 9 Merlin 1D engines passed through the condensation, and if the weather stays roughly the identical, it could create quite a dramatic view because the Falcon Heavy launches later tonight.
Falcon 9 launches 22 @Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida on SpaceX’s fiftieth mission of 2023! pic.twitter.com/eGfwWHVkcj
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2023
Following stage separation, Falcon 9 B1062 landed on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ eight-and-a-half minutes after lift-off completing its fifteenth launch and landing. The 2 fairing halves on this flight were each flying for his or her second time.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/Kp7GuMPbEK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2023
This was the fiftieth overall orbital mission of the yr for SpaceX and the forty eighth for the Falcon 9. SpaceX has now had 220 consecutive successful launches and 136 consecutive Falcon recoveries.
Coming up next for SpaceX shall be the Falcon Heavy launching the Echostar XXIV/Jupiter 3 communications satellite. The 99-minute launch window opens at 11:04 p.m. (03:04 UTC) ET tonight.