SpaceX Launched First 54 Starlink v2.0 satellites Into Low Earth orbit: The first 54 v2.0 or Gen2 Starlink Satellites were launched into low Earth orbit by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The SpaceX Falcon 9 was launched on 28th December 2022, and it took place from the SLC-40 launch pad of the US Air Force Base at Cape Canaveral. Since the start of 2022, 60 SpaceX missions have been completed successfully.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
SpaceX Launched First 54 Starlink v2.0 satellites Into Low Earth orbit – Key Points
- Starlink v2.0 satellites have several different configurations depending on the launch vehicle.
- It was assumed that the new satellites would be launched by Starship initially.
- As a result, the size and mass of the new version should be much larger than those of the older versions—2000 kg as opposed to 260 and 295 kg for versions 1.0 and 1.5.However, SpaceX’s super-heavy rocket is a bit delayed, and now, Starlink v2.0 is carried by the good old Falcon 9.
- The mass of such satellites is 303 kg, and the dimensions are almost the same as in v.15.
- The main difference of Starlink v2.0 is a larger antenna and increased bandwidth of each satellite.
- The v1.5 devices are capable of direct communication with regular mobile terminals and have a laser communication system between satellites.
- SpaceX currently has 3,604 operational Starlink Satellites in orbit.
- The anticipated total number of satellites is 12,000, with a potential increase to 42,000.
