SpaceX has shared a breathtaking video capturing the deployment of Starlink satellites during an orbital sunrise, a rare and stunning phenomenon in which the sun peeks over the horizon of Earth. The footage shows the Falcon 9 rocket powering the latest Starlink mission launching from the Kennedy Space Center and deploying 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. This was the 15th flight for the first-stage Falcon 9 booster in support of these missions, and it marks the 31st Starlink mission of 2024, with most flights deploying between 20 and 23 satellites each.
As of last month, there were just over 5,800 Starlink satellites in orbit, with the first deployment of 60 satellites taking place in 2019. SpaceX hopes to have as many as 42,000 Starlink satellites in orbit in the coming years. The service’s primary aim is to bring internet connectivity to remote parts of the world, and it has already gained a significant number of subscribers, with around 2.7 million people subscribing to the service.
However, astronomers have expressed concern over the deployment of small satellites by SpaceX, citing the potential for bright streaks caused by sunlight reflecting off the satellites to interfere with their observations of deep space. In response, SpaceX has added a coat of paint to the satellites, which has reduced the strength of the reflection, and also uses a mirror sticker on some satellites to reflect the sunlight away from Earth.
SpaceX Deploys Satellites During Stunning Orbital Sunrise
Despite these concerns, other companies are also preparing to launch their own internet-from-space services using small satellites. Amazon, for example, is making progress with Project Kuiper and plans to launch its first satellites this year. The company’s Project Kuiper aims to provide high-speed internet access to tens of thousands of remote communities around the world.
The deployment of small satellites in low-Earth orbit is a rapidly growing industry, with several companies and organizations launching their own constellations of satellites to provide global internet connectivity. However, the increasing number of small satellites in orbit has also raised concerns about the potential for overcrowding and the impact on astronomy. NASA and other space agencies are working to develop guidelines for the responsible deployment of small satellites in space.
SpaceX’s deployment of Starlink satellites during an orbital sunrise showcases the company’s ongoing efforts to develop its internet-from-space service. While there are concerns about the impact of small satellites on astronomy, SpaceX’s efforts to mitigate the effects of sunlight reflection and other measures are helping to address these concerns. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important for companies and organizations to work together to develop responsible and sustainable practices for the deployment of small satellites in space.
