Q&A with Keith Gendreau, principal investigator of the first X-ray space communications experiment (members only)

The Starlink 10-53 mission was the 49th mission dedicated to flying SpaceX’s broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit in 2026. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 UTC).

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says he is “fairly confident” that astronauts can fly to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spaceship at the end of May or early June, pending final parachute tests, data reviews and a training schedule that can escape major impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

The second Falcon 9 launch of the day was the 71st dedicated Starlink mission of 2024. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 5:10 p.m. EDT (2110 UTC).