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22 V2 mini Starlink satellites have successfully reached their operational orbits after a recent launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket. This launch puts SpaceX closer to breaking its record for the most launches in a calendar year.

The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida on its fourth mission. The launch was originally scheduled for earlier in the night but was delayed, possibly due to weather or technical issues.

The fueling process went smoothly while offshore thunderstorms were observed in the distance. These 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites, known as Group 6-8, were launched on a South Easterly trajectory and inserted into a 43-degree orbital inclination.

Since the launch of Starlink Group 5-15 on July 15th, all Starlink satellites launched are now the V2 mini versions. SpaceX can only launch up to 22 of these satellites at a time because they are larger than their predecessors.

The V2 mini Starlink satellites weigh around 800 kg (1,800 lbs) compared to the V1.5 satellites which weighed approximately 306 kg (675 lbs). Although fewer satellites are launched per mission, the V2 mini Starlinks offer significantly improved capabilities.

The V2 mini variant features two solar arrays and Argon Hall thrusters for better maneuvering in space. They also provide approximately four times more bandwidth compared to the earlier versions. The full-size V2 Starlink satellites will eventually be launched using the Starship spacecraft since they are too large for the Falcon 9 fairing.

This launch marked the fourth mission for the Falcon 9 B1078 rocket. It successfully landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, approximately eight-and-a-half minutes after liftoff. The fairing halves used for this mission had flown eight and ten times previously and were expected to be recovered from the ocean by the SpaceX recovery ship Doug.

SpaceX has already completed 53 missions this year, surpassing their record-setting 61 launches at the same time last year. There is a possibility that they may break this record next month.

In the next launch, SpaceX plans to deploy more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch is scheduled for tonight, but confirmation from SpaceX is still pending.

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