On Wednesday, April 19, SpaceX will launch a new batch of Starlink satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry 21 of the company’s latest V2 mini satellites, which are designed to be more powerful than previous versions and offer greater broadband capacity. The launch is scheduled for 8:27 a.m. ET from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with four backup opportunities available if needed. After launch, the rocket’s first stage will attempt to land on SpaceX’s autonomous droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. While the satellites will bring internet access to remote areas, astronomers have raised concerns about their impact on scientific observations. This will be SpaceX’s 25th flight in 2023, and attention is now focused on the first space launch of the company’s Starship rocket, which is due to take place on Thursday, April 20.
