Starlink 26 (Falcon 9) 15 May 2021 |
Launch Complex 39A Kennedy Space Center |
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched into orbit 52 Starlink satellites, a Capella Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, and the Tyvak-0130 satellite from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center at 6:56 p.m. on 15 May 2021. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The Falcon 9 first stage booster that supported this mission previously launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station, ANASIS-II, CRS- 21, Transporter-1, and three Starlink missions. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported the SXM-7 mission, and the other previously supported the NROL-108 mission. The Starlink satellites will eventually form a constellation around the Earth providing global satellite-based internet access. Starlink 27 & 26 launched out of order for technical reasons. |
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Long distance views of the launch |
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