Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.

To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.

Subscribe

News

Company:

Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Friday, February 28, 2025

SpaceX to Launch First ‘Starlink Direct to Cell’ Satellites

Share

Get ready for another fantastic display of spaceflight as SpaceX prepares to launch its latest batch of Starlink internet satellites, including the first equipped with “Direct-to-Cell” capabilities. This new Starlink Direct to Cell satellite technology promises to revolutionize mobile connectivity by providing smooth texting, calling, and browsing anywhere on land, lakes, or coastal waters.

Liftoff Details

Liftoff is scheduled for Saturday, December 29th, with the Falcon 9 rocket, carrying 21 Starlink craft, set to take flight from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base during a 3.5-hour window opening at 12:09 AM Eastern Time (9:09 PM Pacific Time on December 28th). The launch will be streamed live on SpaceX’s X account (formerly Twitter), starting approximately 15 minutes before the liftoff.

Six satellites carry the innovative ‘Starlink Direct to Cell’ tech, paving the way for mobile network operators worldwide to offer global connectivity, regardless of user location. SpaceX stated in its mission description, “This launch will enable seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters.”

Reusable Rocket Power

The Falcon 9’s first stage will aim for a vertical landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This marks this booster’s first launch and landing, adding more reliability to SpaceX’s impressive reusability efforts.

Deployment and Growth

The 21 Starlink Direct to Cell satellites are scheduled to be deployed into low Earth orbit about 62.5 minutes after the launch. With this mission, SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink mega constellation, which currently boasts over 5,100 active satellites and shows no signs of slowing down.

SpaceX and Internet Connectivity

2023 has been a busy year for SpaceX, with over 90 orbital missions completed, two test flights of their ambitious Starship Mars rocket, and the contract to land people on the moon with NASA. The Starlink constellation remains a primary focus of SpaceX, aiming to provide affordable and accessible internet access to remote and underserved areas worldwide. 

This launch marks a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and offering global connectivity solutions. With Starlink Direct to Cell satellites set to join the network, the future of mobile communication looks brighter than ever, promising smooth connections from mountain peaks to ocean shores.

Read more

Local News