Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
SpaceX’s Starlink satellites were spotted flying in formation after being deployed from the Starship spacecraft during its 14th flight test, offering a striking glimpse of the company’s latest attempt to expand its satellite internet constellation.
Images from the mission show multiple satellites appearing as bright points against the darkness of space, arranged in a line as they travel away from Starship. The sight comes after the spacecraft deployed its Starlink payload during the flight.
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The deployment was among the key objectives of Starship Flight 14, which was designed to test the spacecraft’s orbital capabilities and its ability to deliver satellites into space.
FIRST STARSHIP MISSION TO DEPLOY OPERATIONAL STARLINK SATELLITES
The deployment marks a significant development for SpaceX, which is using Starship to launch its next generation of Starlink satellites. Flight 14 carries 26 Starlink V3 satellites, designed to deliver substantially greater network capacity than earlier generations.
The satellites are expected to unfold their antennas and deploy solar arrays after separation from Starship. They will then use onboard propulsion systems to gradually raise their orbits and begin operational checks.
Once operational, the new satellites are expected to support faster internet connectivity and expand the capacity of SpaceX’s growing satellite network.
A MILESTONE FOR STARSHIP
The satellite deployment is particularly significant because it demonstrates Starship’s potential as a heavy-lift vehicle for large-scale satellite launches.
Unlike Falcon 9, which has carried Starlink satellites into orbit in multiple batches, Starship is designed to transport much larger payloads in a single mission.
SpaceX has been developing the vehicle for future missions to the Moon and Mars, with NASA selecting a modified version of Starship for its Artemis lunar landing programme.
The successful deployment of the satellites provides an important step towards demonstrating Starship’s ability to deliver operational payloads into orbit.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
