SpaceX isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.
Just a week ago, SpaceX sent its first batch of astronauts into space, and now it is gearing up for another launch with Falcon 9 rocket. On Wednesday, the company is planning to launch 60 internet-beaming satellites for its continuously increasing Starlink constellation.
After its success, SpaceX will have the permission to launch more than 480 of its Starlink satellites. So far, it has the permission to launch 12,000 Starlink satellites, and the long term goal is to provide global internet coverage from space.
The satellites are created in a way that it beams broadband connectivity down to the Earth. One of the satellites used for this mission will be significantly different from the rest as it will deploy when it’s in space. It will essentially block the light coming from the Sun. It will keep it from reflecting the shiny elements of the satellite, like their antennas. This way, the satellite will be less bright when it’s in the sky.
Source: NASA
The sunlight has been one of the major concerns that other space activities have experienced. When the sunlight dampens, the satellites will probably not muck up their observations of the universe. When astronomers take images, they wouldn’t have their shot ruined by direct exposure.
SpaceX has mentioned on its website that it will soon attempt to reorient the satellites. This will occur when they launch their satellites while raising their orbits. However, this is a long shot as things are still under construction.