SpaceX launches another 60 Starlink internet satellites, pushes total to nearly 500

SpaceX launches another 60 Starlink internet satellites, pushes the total to nearly 500_

by: Anshuman Pattnaik

source:Starlink

SpaceX has regulatory approval to launch more than 12,000 Starlink satellites in multiple orbital planes to provide high-speed, uninterrupted internet access from any point on Earth using small pizza box-size terminals.

The company plans to begin limited commercial service across the northern United States and Canada later this year after completing 12 launches to put 720 satellites into orbit. Going into Wednesday's launch, SpaceX had deployed 420 Starlinks over seven missions.

The latest batch includes satellites equipped with deployable sun shades designed to minimize sunlight reflecting off bright surfaces. Astronomers have expressed concern that the enormous number of planned Starlinks could hamper observations by sensitive optical and radio telescopes.

SpaceX is working with the astronomical community to mitigate those concerns, testing dark coatings and now sunshades to come up with a solution