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SpaceX has successfully launched another group of Starlink satellites into orbit. On August 16, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from Launch Complex 40 (LC-40), carrying 22 satellites to join the existing thousands in the wireless internet megaconstellation. The company later shared images of the launch on social media platform X, showing the liftoff and the rocket’s journey into space.

One photograph captured the rocket’s engine plume, with rays of light illuminating the surrounding smoke and infrastructure on the launchpad. Another picture showcased a group of photographers in the foreground, with the Falcon 9 rocket clearing the pad and its engines’ light reflecting in the water. A long-exposure image captured the launch from liftoff to several minutes into flight.

This recent launch follows a scheduled Starlink launch, which was postponed until August 22. However, the frequency of Starlink and SpaceX launches is consistently increasing. To date, SpaceX has deployed approximately 5,000 Starlink satellites in its low Earth orbit network. The majority of these satellites are operational and provide wireless satellite internet services to paying customers.

According to reports from analytics firm BryceTech, SpaceX sent a total of 1,411 payloads to space within the first half of 2023. CEO Elon Musk responded to these reports, stating that the company aims to launch 80% of all the mass launched to orbit this year. The second-largest contributor in terms of payload mass would be China, accounting for 10%, while the rest of the world makes up the remaining 10%.

In conclusion, SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink satellite network, aiding in the provision of wireless internet services worldwide. The company’s frequent launches contribute significantly to the total payload mass sent into space.

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