https://ift.tt/jT4n8ol Musk Says SpaceX Falcon Team Making Great Progress

• Previously, SpaceX had set a goal of 52 launches in 2022.
• In LEO, there are 2,282 Starlink satellites, of which 2,033 are presently operating.

After acknowledging his company’s achievement so far, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had disclosed that his team is aiming for 60 launches of the Falcon 9 by the end of 2022. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has recognized the company’s success so far and announced in March end that his team is now aiming for 60 launches of the Falcon 9 in 2022. In addition, in March, Musk tweeted that his Starlink satellite internet team is also ready, and he expects as many as 4,200 Starlink satellites to be operational over the next 18 months. The billionaire estimates that once the satellites are active, they will make up around two-thirds of all currently operational satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Starlink Satellites in Low Earth Orbit

Previously, SpaceX had set a goal of 52 launches in 2022, which meant one launch per week. With this news, Musk has lifted the bar regarding SpaceX’s performance. A successful Falcon 9 launch occurred on March 19, which was the company’s 12th overall in 2022. In addition, there have been many SpaceX flights this year devoted to the installation of Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

On March 19, the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida launched 53 Starlink satellites from orbit. In LEO, there are 2,282 Starlink satellites, of which 2,033 are presently operating, according to Space.com. However, astronomers and NASA have expressed alarm about SpaceX’s estimated ability to launch 12,000 satellites and plans to launch 30,000 more. Recently, Elon Musk tweeted that with various performance and repair enhancements, the team is aiming for a 5-day launch cadence.