Launch Roundup: Falcon 9 and Electron to extend satellite constellations

SpaceX and Rocket Lab prepare to launch satellites for global broadband and Earth observation

SpaceX and Rocket Lab are preparing to launch two missions in the coming weeks that will add more satellites to their respective satellite constellations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch 53 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on March 16th. This will be the 23rd Starlink mission, and it will bring the total number of Starlink satellites in orbit to over 1,300.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is scheduled to launch the NROL-193 mission from Mahia, New Zealand, on March 31st. This mission will launch a single satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), a U.S. government agency that specializes in intelligence collection.

Starlink: Bringing global broadband to the world

Starlink is a constellation of satellites that will provide global broadband internet access. The constellation is being developed by SpaceX, a private space exploration company founded by Elon Musk. Starlink satellites are designed to provide low-latency, high-speed internet access to remote areas of the world that are currently underserved by traditional broadband providers.

The Starlink constellation is still under development, but it is already providing internet access to beta testers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. SpaceX plans to begin commercial service in 2021.

NROL-193: A satellite for the NRO

The NRO is a U.S. government agency that specializes in intelligence collection. The agency operates a variety of satellites that are used to collect imagery, signals intelligence, and other data.

The NROL-193 satellite is a new satellite that will be used to support the NRO’s intelligence collection mission. The satellite is expected to be used for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications.

Conclusion

The upcoming Falcon 9 and Electron launches are important milestones for SpaceX and Rocket Lab. These launches will add more satellites to their respective satellite constellations, which will provide global broadband internet access and intelligence collection capabilities.