On March 18, 2024 (Monday) at around 7:30pm – 7:45pm, Gilbert residents witnessed the spectacle lighting up the western skies.
The mission, powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, embarked from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying a payload of 21 Starlink broadband satellites. Among them, six satellites hold the capability to deliver direct cellular service, marking a significant advancement in connectivity.
Anticipation rose as the Falcon 9’s first stage aimed for a precise landing on Earth, scheduled approximately eight minutes post-liftoff.
The designated landing pad named “Of Course I Still Love You,” is stationed in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, the rocket’s upper stage gracefully propelled the 21 satellites into low Earth orbit, adding to SpaceX’s ever-expanding constellation.
Originally scheduled for Friday, the launch faced a brief delay due to adverse weather conditions, underscoring the complexities of space exploration. Nevertheless, Saturday’s successful launch marked the second installment in a remarkable doubleheader for SpaceX this week.
Just days prior, a Falcon 9 rocket had launched 22 Starlink satellites from the very same Space Force base, following a postponement from its original March 30 schedule due to inclement weather.
