Starlink's 7th mission poised for launch

Originally slated for April 16th, 2020, Starlink’s 7th launch has been postponed to April 23rd as of now. We are unclear as why the delay, perhaps technical issues, or perhaps because of the virus. Launching the latest batch of 60 Starlink satellites is booster 1051 looking to get it’s .4, meaning the booster will have launched to space, and landed safely on earth again for the fourth time.

Launching from pad 39A booster 1051 has already launched from all three of SpaceX’s launch pads. Two in Florida, and one in California. Her first mission in March of 2019 from pad 39A, in Florida was that of the crew dragon demo-2, testing the human launch capacities of SpaceX. Next was in June of 2019, launching RADARSAT constellation from Vandenburg air force base in California. Her last mission was Starlink 3 in January 2020 from pad LC-40 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

This launch will be another 60 satellites put into orbit meaning there will be a total of 360 satellites for SpaceX’s Elon Musk’s Starlink program. He is already the largest satellite operator in the world and is looking to further the gap with this launch.

Despite the last two boosters having unsussecful landings, and the Covid-19 pandemic, SpaceX is going ahead with the launch, and ensuring only personnal essential to the mission will be allowed on site to bring down risk of spreading the virus.

​Here is a diagram to summarize the launch:

Graphics by: Karrthik Naren