On September 19, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a payload of 22 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The rocket took off at 11:38 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Prior to the launch, SpaceX had reported that the weather conditions were 90% favorable for liftoff.

These new satellites will join the existing and rapidly expanding constellation of Starlink satellites, which provide high-speed, low-latency internet services to customers around the world. Once deployed into space, the satellites will contribute to the ever-growing network that aims to enhance global internet accessibility.

The first-stage booster of the Falcon 9 rocket had already completed 17 previous flights. After successfully delivering the payload, it returned to Earth and landed on SpaceX’s autonomous drone ship called “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks another successful landing for SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology, which plays a critical role in reducing the cost of space missions.

This launch comes just weeks after SpaceX achieved a milestone by placing its 5,000th Starlink satellite into orbit. While the company has received approval to launch up to 12,000 satellites, it has also submitted a request to deploy an additional 30,000 satellites.

With each successful launch, SpaceX continues to advance its goal of providing global internet coverage through its Starlink satellite network. The deployment of more satellites helps improve internet access in remote areas and bridges the digital divide worldwide.