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22 V2 mini Starlink satellites have successfully reached their operational orbits after being launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch took place at Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida at 10:41 p.m. ET. Although originally scheduled for an earlier time, the launch was slightly delayed, likely due to weather or technical reasons.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off smoothly, and fueling proceeded without any issues. The 22 satellites, known as Group 6-8, were launched on a trajectory of 43-degree orbital inclination. These satellites are part of the V2 mini Starlink series, which began after the launch of Starlink Group 5-15 on July 15.

Unlike their predecessors, the V2 mini Starlink satellites are larger, weighing approximately 800 kg (1,800 lbs). Despite launching fewer satellites per mission, the V2 mini variant offers more capabilities. It features two solar arrays, Argon Hall thrusters for improved maneuvering in orbit, and offers approximately four times more bandwidth than earlier versions. The full-size V2 Starlink satellites will eventually be launched on Starship rockets.

This launch marked the fourth mission for the Falcon 9 rocket with the designation B1078. It successfully landed on the “A Shortfall of Gravitas” droneship just eight-and-a-half minutes after liftoff. The fairing halves used for this mission had already flown eight and ten times before and were set to be retrieved from the ocean by the SpaceX recovery ship, Doug.

SpaceX has now completed 53 missions this year, surpassing its pace from the previous year when it set a record with 61 launches. It is likely that SpaceX will break its own record next month.

The next launch on SpaceX’s schedule is another Starlink mission, which is expected to take place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. However, confirmation from SpaceX regarding the launch time is still pending.

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