Latest news with #B1091
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites on brand-new Falcon 9 rocket, aces Pacific Ocean landing (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A never-before-flown Falcon 9 rocket launched the newest round of Starlink internet satellites Monday (April 7), in an afternoon liftoff from the U.S. West Coast. The booster, likely the one designated B1091, was the second new rocket that SpaceX has launched so far this year, both of which supported Starlink missions. Monday's flight, known as Starlink 11-11, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 7:06 p.m. EDT (2306 GMT), lofting 27 Starlink satellites toward low Earth orbit (LEO). About eight minutes after liftoff, B1091 completed its descent back down through Earth's atmosphere. The booster performed a landing burn using three of its nine Merlin rocket engines, touching down on SpaceX's "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship in the Pacific Ocean. The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, continued its ascent into LEO with its 27 payloads. About one hour into flight, the Starlink satellites will be released, after which each spacecraft will maneuver into a refined orbit amongst SpaceX's growing megaconstellation. The launch of a new Falcon 9 rocket has become a relatively rare occurrence as SpaceX continues to fine-tune its ability to recover, refurbish and launch the world's first reusable rockets. The new boosters' tell-tale lack of charring and soot left from passage through Earth's atmosphere is notable; they stand on the launch pad with a sparklingly clean sheen of white. Related: Starlink satellite train: how to see and track it in the night sky Related stories: — SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company — Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy — SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 21 Starlink satellites on record-setting 26th flight (video, photos) SpaceX's Starlink network currently consists of more than 7,000 operational satellites, orbiting Earth in a grid that spans nearly the entire planet. Starlink offers its users low-latency, high-speed internet from anywhere they are able to receive a satellite signal. Today's launch was SpaceX's 40th Falcon 9 mission of 2025. Twenty-seven of them have been dedicated to growing the company's Starlink constellation.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX to launch satellites from Vandenberg SFB
April 7 (UPI) -- SpaceX is to utilize a new first stage booster when it launches 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California Monday. The new Falcon 9 first stage booster, which may be B1091, will be the second new booster that SpaceX introduced so far this year, after the B1092 used on the Starlink mission that launched in February. Liftoff is slated for 3 p.m. PDT, with a window that expands out to 6:35 p.m. Should it be necessary, the mission can also launch Tuesday starting at 2:13 p.m. PDT. The satellites are to be carried into low-Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 spacecraft, and the booster will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship after stage separation. The droneship will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean, and should everything work out as expected, this will be the 124th booster landing for the droneship and the 428th booster landing to date. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, dependent on weather and other conditions. The public can watch a live webcast of this mission on X @SpaceX, on the X TV app and the SpaceX website. The webcast will begin about five minutes before takeoff.
