SpaceX’s first launch of 2024, which took place Tuesday night, included something none of the company’s previous launches included.
The Falcon 9 rocket was carrying 21 low-orbit satellites for its sister company, Starlink, including six that, for the first time, feature direct-to-cell communications. The satellites are designed to eliminate cellular service “dead zones” with greater access to text, voice and data messaging for all LTE cellular devices, according to the company.
The rocket launched at 7:44 p.m. Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, creating a nighttime spectacle for spectators.
Tuesday’s rocket launch brought satellites directly to the cell for the first time.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
The satellites join thousands of other Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit. SpaceX hopes to have up to 42,000 satellites in this network, as Space.com reports. Satellites can sometimes be seen moving across the night sky. Find the best schedules on this Starlink locator site.
