SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket on Monday at midnight, adding 21 new satellites to the Starlink fleet. The launch, dubbed Starlink 12-2, marked a record turnaround for the historic Kennedy Space Center pad, just five days and seven hours after the previous launch.
Among the 21 satellites are 13 equipped with direct-to-cellphone connections, in partnership with T-Mobile. The direct-to-Starlink service will offer beta text messaging via these satellites.
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster, 1080, made its 14th flight and has previously launched seven batches of Starlink satellites. After stage separation, the booster landed safely on a SpaceX droneship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ in the Atlantic Ocean.
The new satellites will enter a high-orbit at approximately 1 hour after launch, positioned at a 293 by 284 kilometer altitude with a 43-degree inclination.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/12/22/live-coverage-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-to-launch-21-starlink-satellites-from-kennedy-space-center