SpaceX prepares to launch 20 Starlink satellites with enhanced connectivity

SpaceX will launch 20 additional Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) on November 9, bolstering its satellite internet network.

The launch, set to occur at 1:16 a.m. Eastern Time from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, will feature SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 rocket, carrying satellites equipped with enhanced communication capabilities. Thirteen of the satellites in this mission will include direct-to-cell technology, aimed at improving mobile connectivity on Earth.

A four-hour launch window provides flexibility for any required adjustments.

SpaceX will broadcast the event live on its X platform, with coverage beginning around five minutes before the scheduled liftoff.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, SpaceX will attempt a controlled landing of the Falcon 9’s first stage on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marks the 11th flight for this particular booster, demonstrating SpaceX’s success with reusable rocket technology. The booster is expected to complete its descent and land on the droneship roughly eight minutes after launch.

This mission supports SpaceX's ongoing expansion of the Starlink constellation, aiming to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas worldwide.

With over 100 launches already this year, SpaceX is making significant strides toward creating a robust, low-latency broadband network through satellite technology. After launch, the Falcon 9’s upper stage will deploy the 20 satellites approximately an hour after liftoff, advancing SpaceX's vision of a globally accessible internet network.