SpaceX's Successful Launch: 15 Starlink Satellites Deployed and Rocket Safely Returns at Sea
Triumph for SpaceX: 15 Starlink Satellites Launched and Returning Rocket Safely Lands at Sea. In another feat for SpaceX, a successful launch saw the deployment of 15 additional Starlink internet satellites on Monday night (August 7), while the returning rocket safely descended onto a ship at sea.
The Starlink spacecraft, mounted atop a Falcon 9 rocket, took off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 11:57 p.m. EDT (8:57 p.m. local California time and 0357 GMT on August 8).
As planned, the Falcon 9's first stage executed a controlled return to Earth, touching down on SpaceX's drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" approximately 9.5 minutes after liftoff.
This specific booster has now accomplished five successful launches and landings, as detailed in a mission overview provided by SpaceX.
Meanwhile, the Falcon 9's upper stage continued its journey, propelling the 15 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. These satellites will be deployed around 14.5 minutes after liftoff. However, confirmation of the deployment's success might take a slightly longer duration, as SpaceX representatives explained during the launch webcast on Monday.
This launch marked the second consecutive Starlink deployment for SpaceX. Just the day prior (August 6), a Falcon 9 launched 22 satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
As of now, SpaceX's tally of launched Starlink satellites stands at 4,918. Remarkably, over 4,500 of these satellites are operational, as confirmed by satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.