Replies

Yes, probably a Starlink satellite deployment.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launches typically deploy Starlink satellites into a low Earth orbit (LEO) parking orbit (~280–300 km altitude) about 60–65 minutes after liftoff. This occurs after the first stage separates (2.5 minutes), the second stage reaches orbit (8–9 minutes), and a coast phase precedes deployment.

There were three launches the past three days:
April 26, 2025, 9:51 p.m. EDT (01:51 UTC, April 27) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

April 27, 2025, 0:09 p.m. EDT (02:09 UTC, April 28) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

April 28, 2025, 10:34 p.m. EDT (02:34 UTC, April 29) from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Initially, the satellites are released with minimal relative velocity, so they travel in a near-identical orbit, appearing as a linear formation from Earth. This visibility is enhanced at dawn or dusk when satellites reflect sunlight while the ground is in twilight, making them appear as bright, moving dots.

The time Starlink satellites stay "lined up" depends on how quickly they disperse, which is influenced by their onboard propulsion, SpaceX’s operational goals, and orbital dynamics.

After deployment, Starlink satellites typically remain visibly clustered for 1–3 weeks, depending on the batch size, orbit, and SpaceX’s orbit-raising schedule. During this period, they are often reported as a "train" by observers, especially in the first 3–7 days when they are closest together.

Satellites begin separating within hours due to slight differences in release velocity and early thruster firings. They remain close enough to appear as a single string of lights for ~3–7 days, as reported by observers on sites like Heavens-Above or FindStarlink.com. For example, the April 26, 2025, batch (27 satellites) was noted on X as visible as a "train" for ~5 days post-launch in some regions.

Over 2–4 weeks, satellites use their thrusters to reach their operational orbits (e.g., 550 km, 53° inclination). By this point, they are spread across their orbital planes, no longer appearing "lined up." SpaceX’s rapid deployment (e.g., 259 launches in 2024) means satellites are positioned efficiently to minimize collision risks and optimize coverage.