SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites, Plans Commercial Astronaut Mission; China Adds Relay Satellite; Rocket Lab Deploys Wildfire-Tracking Satellites

SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from California, successfully landing the booster for a record 24th time. The satellites join over 7,100 others in low Earth orbit, providing global internet service. Simultaneously, SpaceX prepares for a commercial astronaut mission, launching four individuals aboard a Crew Dragon Resilience capsule on March 31 from Kennedy Space Center. The mission, led by Chun Wang, will feature the reintroduction of the cupola for panoramic viewing. China launched the Tianlian-2 (04) data relay satellite via a Long March 3B rocket. The satellite will enhance communication for crewed spacecraft and satellites, featuring improved transmission capacity and response speed. Rocket Lab deployed eight cubesats for OroraTech to track wildfires. Launched from New Zealand, the satellites will enhance OroraTech's wildfire detection capabilities, filling coverage gaps during peak wildfire times. This marks Rocket Lab's fifth launch this year, with plans for over 20 Electron launches in total.