SpaceX launched 24 extra of its Starlink web satellites from Florida’s Space Coast early Saturday morning (Nov. 30).
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday at midnight EST (0500 GMT).
The Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff as deliberate, touching down on the SpaceX droneship “Just Read the Instructions” within the Atlantic Ocean.
It was the sixth launch and touchdown for this specific booster, in accordance with a SpaceX mission description. Three of these flights have been Starlink missions.
The Falcon 9’s higher stage continued carrying the 24 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, deploying them there about 65 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX reported by way of X.
Related: Starlink satellite tv for pc prepare: how one can see and monitor it within the night time sky
The Starlink launch would be the first leg of a Saturday morning rocket doubleheader for SpaceX, if all goes to plan.
The firm additionally intends to launch the NROL-126 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, and 20 Starlink craft, at 3:10 a.m. EST (0810 GMT) on Saturday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Editor’s notice: This story was up to date at 2:20 a.m. ET on Nov. 30 with information of profitable launch, rocket touchdown and satellite tv for pc deployment.