More Starlink satellites lofted by SpaceX during late night launch
SpaceX launches 53 more Starlink satellites on March 19, 2022. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
A SpaceX Falcon 9 left Florida’s Space Coast delivering another round of satellites to the company’s Starlink internet constellation.
Liftoff occurred at 12:42 a.m. EDT (04:42 UTC) March 19, 2022, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was after a delay of more than an hour due to rain in the area.
This was the 11th launch to the fourth shell of the Starlink constellation. It was also the 12th flight for Falcon 9 first stage core B1051 after a 90-day turnaround from its previous mission.
SpaceX continued its constancy to reusable rocketry by intercepting the first stage successfully some 400 miles (640) kilometers) downrange aboard SpaceX fleet drone ship “Just Read the Instructions.”
The company is also attempting to rescue the twin fairings for the mission.
This launch, Starlink Group 4-12, orbited 53 Starlink spacecraft and marked the 40th operational Starlink mission, lofting a total number of 2,335 satellites, of which 2,117 will still be orbiting after today.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 sits on the pad in advance of its March 19 launch. Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Credit: Theresa Cross / Spaceflight Insider
Video courtesy of SpaceX
Theresa Cross
Theresa Cross grew up on the Space Coast. It’s only natural that she would develop a passion for anything “Space” and its exploration. During these formative years, she also discovered that she possessed a talent and love for defining the unique quirks and intricacies that exist in mankind, nature, and machines. Hailing from a family of photographers—including her father and her son, Theresa herself started documenting her world through pictures at a very early age. As an adult, she now exhibits an innate photographic ability to combine what appeals to her heart and her love of technology to deliver a diversified approach to her work and artistic presentations. Theresa has a background in water chemistry, fluid dynamics, and industrial utility.
