SpaceX launched another batch of 56 Starlink internet communication satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) on Sunday, May 14, at 01:03 EDT (05:03 UTC). Launching from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida, the Starlink Group 5-9 mission marks SpaceX’s fourth launch in May. Starlink Group 5-9 was 2023’s 69th orbital launch attempt; with four missions failing to reach orbit, SpaceX currently makes up just under 50% of all successful orbital launches this year. On May 11 the Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron released a launch mission execution forecast for this mission, giving the weather a 95% chance of supporting the launch. The only concern was the cumulus cloud rule, which stated that a launch cannot happen within 18.5 km of cumulus clouds with tops that extend into freezing temperatures. The weather proved to be no issue for this opening attempt. The booster supporting this mission was B1067-11, which has previously supported CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat-5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Hotbird-13G, O3b mPOWER 1&2, and three Starlink missions. After stage separation, B1067 landed atop Just Read the Instructions (JRTI), stationed ~660 km downrange in the Atlantic Ocean. The autonomous spaceport drone ship was…
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SpaceX launches Starlink Group 5-9 to low Earth orbit
