On Monday night, a Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying 22 Starlink satellites to low-earth orbit. The rocket, part of the Starlink 7-16 mission, took off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 7:28 p.m.
This particular launch was notable as it marked the 10th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster, which had previously been used in other Starlink missions as well as missions for the U.S. Space Development Agency. The successful liftoff was visible to spectators across Southern California, as the bright plume lit up the twilight sky and left a long trail of exhaust in its wake.
This mission was the 26th successful launch for SpaceX this year, with 16 of those flights including Starlink payloads. Starlink, which now boasts a “Mega-Constellation” of more than 5,500 satellites already in orbit, continues to expand its network in space.
The successful launch further solidifies SpaceX’s position as a leading player in the space industry, with their continued focus on providing global internet coverage through their Starlink project. The company’s ability to reuse the Falcon 9 first stage booster highlights their commitment to innovation and efficiency in space travel.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the successful launch of the 22 Starlink satellites is yet another milestone in their mission to revolutionize access to high-speed internet around the world.
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