SpaceX launched 21 Starlink internet satellites early Monday morning (Dec. 23) from Florida’s Space Coast, marking another milestone in its efforts to expand global internet coverage, Space.com reports.
Among the payload, 13 satellites are equipped to provide direct service to cellphones.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellites lifted off at 12:35 a.m. EDT (0535 GMT) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Shortly after, the rocket’s first stage returned to Earth, landing on the SpaceX droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This precise landing occurred approximately eight minutes post-launch.
The successful landing represents the 15th flight and recovery for this particular Falcon 9 first-stage booster. Notably, eight of those flights were dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites, demonstrating SpaceX’s emphasis on reusability and cost efficiency in space operations.
The Falcon 9’s upper stage continued its mission, delivering the 21 satellites into low Earth orbit. The deployment is expected to occur roughly 65 minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX’s Starlink initiative aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity across the globe, including remote areas. This launch contributes to the current Starlink megaconstellation, which now boasts over 6,800 active satellites.
This mission marked the 129th Falcon 9 flight of 2024, with nearly two-thirds of those launches dedicated to Starlink. The company continues to push forward in its goal to create a robust satellite-based broadband network.
A standout feature of this launch is the inclusion of 13 satellites capable of direct-to-cellphone communication.
