A US national flag blows in the wind as workers prepare the SpaceX Starship rocket as it stands on the launchpad ahead of its scheduled launch from the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on April 18, 2023. - SpaceX has rescheduled for April 20, 2023, the first test flight of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built.
To prepare for Starlink's Direct to Cell service, SpaceX announced that it will launch hundreds of new satellites by 2024.
This was confirmed by the American aerospace firm after launching its 75th satellite mission, which is expected to bring it close to 100 missions by the end of December.
Will SpaceX's upcoming launches for Starlink's Direct to Cell service beat its record this 2023? Here are the details.
SpaceX to Launch Hundreds of Satellites in 2024 for Starlink Direct to Cell
According to Business Insider's latest report, SpaceX already broke annual records for space launches made by a private aerospace company.
Now, the American space firm is aiming to beat its record in 2024 by conducting 144 satellite launches for Starlink's Direct to Cell service.
Ars Technica reported that SpaceX shared more details about its 2024 satellite launch plans. Each month, Elon Musk's company wants to conduct 12 satellite missions to achieve its goal of 144 launches.
Just like this 2023, most of these space missions will be carrying Starlink internet satellites into orbit.
"With our 2 million users, (we) need that constellation refreshed. We're also going to look at direct to cell communications with Starlink, and that's a key feature that gets added next year with those 144 flights," said SpaceX.
Why SpaceX's 2024 Satellite Launch Plan is Big Deal
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft sits on Launch Complex 39A after its launch was scrubbed at the Kennedy Space Center on August 25, 2023 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.
SpaceX explained why its 2024 satellite launch is a big one since it will push the company to improve its aerospace business.
"You can't increase that kind of number by just adding more bodies or extra shifts of work," said the American space firm.
It explained that in order to complete the 144 satellite launches, they need to increase first pass yield, build more reliable hardware, and do other innovations.
About Starlink Direct to Cell Service
From the name itself, Starlink Direct to Cell is an internet service that allows broadband satellites to directly connect to consumers' mobile devices, such as tablets, smartphones, etc.
With this upcoming service, Starlink clients are expected to have access to high-speed internet connectivity in remote or rural areas, especially places with limited coverage.
The main goal of the Starlink Direct to Cell is to offer access to communication services, such as browsing, texting, and calling, regardless of where consumers are located.
Related Article: SpaceX Launches 56 Starlink Satellites, Bringing Total to More Than 4,200
