SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites after delay, boosting direct-to-cell network

SpaceX successfully launched an additional 20 Starlink satellites on July 11, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities, according to a report from Space.com.
The topic has made it to Google Trends as people seem interested in reading about the mission that took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with liftoff occurring at 10:35 pm EDT (7:35 pm local California time; 0235 GMT on July 12).The launch was postponed by one day, although no reason was provided for the delay.

The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage successfully returned to Earth, landing on the SpaceX droneship Of Course I Still Love You positioned in the Pacific Ocean approximately eight minutes after launch.
This particular booster has now completed 19 launches and landings, approaching the current record of 22 flights held by another Falcon 9 first stage, which was set by SpaceX in late June.
Following the first stage separation, the Falcon 9’s upper stage proceeded to transport the 20 satellites to their intended low Earth orbit, with deployment scheduled for approximately 59 minutes after liftoff.
This launch marks SpaceX’s 69th Falcon 9 mission in 2024, with 49 of those dedicated to expanding the Starlink mega constellation.
The Starlink network now comprises more than 6,150 operational satellites, with over 100 of them possessing direct-to-cell capability. As SpaceX continues to develop and grow the Starlink constellation, the number of satellites with this feature is expected to increase steadily in the near future.
(The topic is trending on Google Trends)