SpaceX’s Starlink 6-58 mission took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:53 PM EDT (00:53 UTC) on Saturday, marking the company’s 34th dedicated Starlink launch in 2024. The Falcon 9 first stage, known as B1073 and on its 15th mission, has supported key missions including ispace’s HAKUTO-R lunar lander launch and SpaceX’s CRS-27 commercial resupply mission. With the addition of 23 satellites in this latest launch, the total number of SpaceX satellites now stands at 5999.
The intense solar activity during the weekend, including the largest geomagnetic storm in 20 years, led to auroras and pink skies even in Italy. Elon Musk himself highlighted the significance of the launch, stating that SpaceX was monitoring the impact of solar storms on the Starlink constellation, noting the degraded service experienced by the network.
As for other news, it appears that a new social media platform called “Starlink Connect” has been launched by SpaceX to connect people with similar interests and hobbies related to space exploration. The platform features user profiles and websites related to space science and technology, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this exciting field.
