On June 8, 2024, Beijing time, SpaceX launched two batches of Starlink satellites from both the East and West coasts within 11 hours, sending a total of 42 Starlink satellites into orbit, including 13 that can connect directly to mobile phones. As of now, the total number of Starlink satellites launched has reached 6,613, with 64 of them being capable of direct mobile phone connection.

The first launch took place at 9:56 a.m. on June 8. This was the first time that Starlink satellites were launched towards the orbital plane numbered 10.

Mission: Starlink 10-1

Launch Time: June 8, 2024, 01:56 UTC
Launch Site: Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 B1069.16
Payload: Batch 172, 22 Starlink V2 Mini satellites

This launch was the 172nd Starlink mission, the 61st space launch mission of SpaceX in 2024, the 59th Falcon 9 rocket launch, and the 42nd dedicated Starlink satellite launch in 2024.

The Falcon 9 first-stage booster supporting this mission, numbered B1069.16, completed its 16th flight in this mission. After the launch, it was recovered on an offshore barge.

The second launch took place at 20:58 on June 8. This launch sent 20 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into orbit, including 13 Starlink satellites that can connect directly to mobile phones.

Mission: Starlink 8-8
Launch Time: June 8, 2024, 12:58 UTC
Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 B1061.21
Payload: Batch 173, 20 Starlink V2 Mini satellites      

         This launch was the 173rd Starlink mission. It was the 62nd space launch mission of SpaceX in 2024 and the 60th Falcon 9 rocket launch. It was also the 43rd dedicated Starlink satellite launch in 2024. By the end of the 43rd launch in 2024, SpaceX had launched a total of 963 Starlink satellites.

       The Falcon 9 first-stage booster supporting this mission, numbered B1061.21, completed its 21st flight in this mission. This marked the second SpaceX rocket to reach 21 flights. After the launch, it was recovered on an offshore barge.

As of now, the total number of Starlink satellites launched has reached 6,613.

On June 2, SpaceX founder Elon Musk posted an article on his social media platform X, stating, “Starlink just set a new internal median latency record of 28 milliseconds yesterday,” and then added, “Median latency for Starlink Internet in the US will be below 20 milliseconds.”

Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s Vice President in charge of the Starlink program, shared an article summarizing the impact of SpaceX’s 11 launches in May. He pointed out that the 26 Starlink satellites directly connected to mobile phones account for more than 8% of the initial mobile service demand in cooperation with T-Mobile. This means that SpaceX needs approximately 325 Starlink satellites directly connected to mobile phones to achieve this goal. Currently, the cumulative capacity of Starlink has reached 300 Tbps.

Source: International Space Enthusiasts