Updated at 1:13 a.m. ET: SpaceX has postponed the launch until Friday night at 9:19 p.m. PT (12:19 a.m. ET, 05:19 UTC).
SpaceX aims to recover from a week of failed launches with its Falcon 9 launch from California. The Starlink 7-9 mission will send another batch of 21 satellites to low Earth orbit, something that has become almost routine for the company.
However, this Friday night mission is unique in that it includes the first six Starlink satellites. Direct connection to the cell ability. SpaceX said the new feature will “enable mobile network operators around the world to provide seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing on land, lakes, and coastal waters.”
The Falcon 9 rocket launch supporting the mission is targeted to begin the launch window at 9:19 PM PT (12:19 AM ET, 05:19 UTC). Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage of the mission starting approximately 30 minutes before liftoff.
This direct cell commitment to the Starlink network was announced by SpaceX founder Elon Musk during an event with T-Mobile CEO and President Mike Siebert at Starbase in Texas in August 2022. This is the beginning of a promise.
Musk described the feature as a “massive game changer” that would eliminate dead zones even in the most remote parts of the world.
“This is a really big deal,” Musk said during his presentation. “If an entire region or country loses connectivity due to a severe hurricane, flood, fire, tornado, or earthquake, your phone will still work, even if all cell towers are removed.”
According to an email sent on November 30, 2023 to Kathryn Medley, Acting Director of the Federal Communications (FCC) Satellite Licensing Division, SpaceX announced that it would have “approximately 840 direct cell capable aircraft over the next six months. “We will launch a satellite,” he said. Additional launches will continue after that period. ”
Jameson Dempsey, SpaceX’s director of satellite policy and author of the email, said the planned launches and future launches “will allow us to deliver a critical mass of satellites in time for commercial service in late 2024.” It is guaranteed that we will be able to launch.”
“Therefore, while we understand that the European Commission may limit our testing privileges to satellites that we plan to launch and test within the next six months, the launch license does not include a direct modification application to the cell. “We request that the document include authority over all 7,500 satellites,” Dempsey wrote.
Sievert said at an event in August 2022 that future service in the U.S. will use existing T-Mobile mid-band PCS spectrum.
“This will allow us to work together and dedicate it to the constellation of satellites operated by Starlink, and to be able to see those satellites from every corner of the country,” Siebert said. said. “Our vision is that if you can see the sky clearly, you are connected.”
“Your phone doesn’t know it’s connected to space. It scans your home network and also scans your terrestrial roaming partners,” Sievert said. Added. “And if it doesn’t recognize them, it scans again and connects to an authorized connection from the satellite. Cell phones also use industry-standard technical communication protocols, and the spectrum is already built in. At least in the majority of phones currently in circulation.”
In addition to T-Mobile as a U.S. service provider, SpaceX said it is partnering with companies in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland.
The original plan was to launch service using the Starlink V2 satellite, which may still ultimately host the majority of the antennas in orbit. However, due to its size, it must be launched using a Starship.
Musk said at an event last year that the antenna would be about 5 to 6 meters on a side, or about 25 square meters. He noted that the Starlink V2 Mini satellite would have to serve as a holdover solution if Starship was “delayed longer than expected,” which is exactly what happened.
The six direct cell communications satellites will be launched on a Falcon 9 rocket with a brand new first stage booster, along with 15 regular Starlink V2 Minis. After stage separation, the booster will land on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
Photos released by SpaceX show that the payload fairing housing the Starlink satellite has been flight-proven, but the company did not say how many missions it had flown before launch.