The Falcon 9 rocket successfully deployed another batch of 22 mini-satellites for the Starlink system, a global internet coverage network, on Sunday, according to SpaceX. The launch took place at the 40th launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 23:38 Eastern Time on Saturday. Approximately one hour after liftoff, the satellites were successfully placed into orbit.
This launch marks the 110th Starlink satellite launch since May 2019 and the 41st launch this year. With this launch, SpaceX has now deployed over 5,100 Starlink satellites into orbit. While some have become inoperative or deorbited, more than 4,800 satellites remain in working condition.
During this launch, the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, which had already been used 17 times, successfully performed a controlled vertical landing on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX is planning to launch another batch of Starlink satellites on Monday. This launch, carrying 21 satellites, is scheduled to take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.