A first-stage booster lands after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deliver 20 Starlink satellites into orbit.
A first-stage booster lands after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deliver 20 Starlink satellites into orbit. Credit: SpaceX photo

SpaceX continued expanding the Starlink constellation’s direct-to-cell capabilities by sending another 13 satellites plus seven others into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket launched early Saturday from Vandenberg Space Force Base. 

The 20 new Starlink satellites, including a baker’s dozen with direct-to-cell capabilities, lifted off at 5:58 a.m. Saturday as a stubborn marine layer interfered with those hoping to see it.

After completing its tasks, the first-stage booster, making its 21st flight, landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles south of the base. Saturday’s mission marked the 301st successful Falcon landing,

An hour after liftoff, Falcon deployed the 20 satellites, according to SpaceX.

With Earth in the background, the Falcon 9 rocket's second-stage engine nozzle glows while continuing toward the deployment site for the 20 Starlink satellites.
With Earth in the background, the Falcon 9 rocket’s second-stage engine nozzle glows while continuing toward the deployment site for the 20 Starlink satellites. Credit: SpaceX photo

Starlink, with more than 6,000 satellites into space, is designed to allow its now more than 3 million customers to access the internet from anywhere on the globe including where land-based service hasn’t been available or reliable.

The direct-to-cell satellites reportedly will provide some Starlink customers with text service in 2024 and voice and date in 2025.

SpaceX has partnered with cellphone companies including T-Mobile in the United States and others in Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Chile and Peru for the direct-to-cell service.

Saturday’s rocket launch marked the third liftoff from Vandenberg in less than a week. The military conducted a pair of test launches Tuesday and Thursday from underground silos on North Base.

A stubborn marine layer glows as a Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday with 20 Starlink satellites on board, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities.
A stubborn marine layer glows as a Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday with 20 Starlink satellites on board, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. Credit: SpaceX photo

So far since the start of 2024, SpaceX has launched 19 missions from Vandenberg, with five involving assorted customers’ payloads and the remainder carrying Starlink satellites. The morning departure was the 21st since Jan. 1 from Vandenberg.

The launch occurred days before the California Coastal Commission will again consider a SpaceX proposal to increase the number of launches from Vandenberg. The item will be discussed during Wednesday’s session of the three days of meetings in Morro Bay. 

This was the 60th launch of the year for SpaceX with liftoffs occurring from both Vandenberg and Florida 

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.