SpaceX has successfully launched Falcon 9 rocket carrying demo satellites for its broadband network. Here are some interesting and important facts about the launch:
1. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket deployed two demonstration satellites, named Tintin A and Tintin B. These satellites are a part of SpaceX’s much-discussed broadband service from space.
2. The internet network, named Starlink, will consist of thousands of operational satellites once the testing is completed and the network is up and running.
First two Starlink demo satellites, called Tintin A & B, deployed and communicating to Earth stations pic.twitter.com/TfI53wHEtz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018
3. SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher was 229 foot tall, i.e., 70-meter.
4. The launch took place from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base. The two-stage Falcon 9 also had the Spanish PAZ radar observation satellite as its main payload.
Successful deployment of PAZ satellite to low-Earth orbit confirmed. pic.twitter.com/xOEuyaFrcZ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 22, 2018
5. After the launch, Elon Musk tweeted that satellites will attempt to beam “Hello World” when they pass near LA.
Don’t tell anyone, but the wifi password is “martians”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018
6. SpaceX executives hope that Starlink will start operating by 2020, at least in a limited capacity. These first test satellites will collect information useful for testing.
7. Just last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he had endorsed Starlink. FCC has also approved similar requests from other companies like OneWeb, Telesat, and Space Norway.
8. This launch also included SpaceX’s first attempt to catch Falcons falling payload fairing out of the sky. The company attempted this catch using a boat named Mr. Steven.
Missed by a few hundred meters, but fairing landed intact in water. Should be able catch it with slightly bigger chutes to slow down descent.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018
9. As per Musk, the boat was a few hundred meters away from the $6 million fairing. However, the fairing arrived in good shape.
Watch the complete video of the launch here:
