SpaceX launched Starlink 4-2 on Bluewalker 3 rideshare mission. It will launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Accordingly, there were about 34 SpaceX Starlink satellites. And, the BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite for AST SpaceMobile’s cellular broadband constellation.
SpaceX Launched Starlink 4-2 Mission
SpaceX included Booster B1058 to make its 14th flight on this mission. Accordingly, they are marking a new reuse record at SpaceX. This booster would go on to launch a CRS mission, a communications satellite to GTO. Along with two Transporter missions, and eight Starlink missions.
On the other hand, the Nautical support for the Starlink 4-2 flight includes the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDA). However, there was a shortfall of Gravitas, on which B1058 landed after completing the stage one portion of flight.
Moreover, this flight has featured a record number of firings for the second stage of Falcon 9. And, over the course of more than two hours, the second stage ignited five times.
Accordingly, two times to place BlueWalker 3 spacecraft in a circular orbit at an inclination of 513 km in altitude and 53.2 degrees. And, two more times to reach a circular 330 km orbit for the Starlink satellites. Also, one more time to deorbit the stage from low Earth orbit (LEO).
About SpaceX And Starlink Missions
SpaceX is going to take the 41st launch of 2022. Accordingly, it will be the 27th Starlink deployment of the year. And, the 51st SpaceX launch in the last 12 months.
However, SpaceX still has around 20 potential missions for a wide variety of customers through the end of the year. And, Some of those will inevitably move into 2023.
Now, it is the seventh of as many as 10 straight Starlink flights for SpaceX in August and September. However, they are awaiting the arrival of other customer payloads.