spacetoday.net: SpaceX sets May 15 date for first Starlink launch

SpaceX sets May 15 date for first Starlink launch

Posted: Sun, May 12, 2019, 10:51 AM ET (1451 GMT)
SpaceX plans to launch its first set of "dozens" of Starlink broadband satellites within days, with as many as six more launches to follow this year alone. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, speaking on a conference panel Tuesday, confirmed the May 15 launch date for the mission, which she said will place dozens of satellites into orbit, although she did not state a specific number. Those satellites will be a "demonstration set" with broadband payloads and electric propulsion, but without intersatellite links. She said she expects the company to launch two to six more sets of Starlink satellites this year as the company works to build out a constellation that could ultimately number 12,000 satellites.