SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink internet satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The liftoff occurred at 11:36 p.m. EDT, and shortly after, the first-stage booster of the rocket successfully landed on the drone ship named “Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean.

The weather conditions at the opening of the launch window were reported to be 20% favorable, but they improved to 65% by the end. The Falcon 9 rocket followed a southeastern trajectory after liftoff and landed safely on the drone ship.

This launch marks the 13th mission for the Falcon 9 first stage. The rocket’s post-launch timeline included milestones such as Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket), 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO), separation of the 1st and 2nd stages, fairing deployment, entry burn, landing burn, and engine cutoff for both stages. Finally, the 22 Starlink Satellites were successfully deployed into orbit.

This launch is part of SpaceX’s Starlink mission to create a global satellite internet network. With this successful launch, the total number of Starlink satellites in orbit has increased. SpaceX has been actively launching rockets from the Space Coast, and this launch is the 42nd one this year.

Despite the initial concerns about weather conditions, SpaceX proceeded with the fueling process and achieved a successful liftoff.

The post SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Successfully Launches 22 Starlink Satellites appeared first on TS2 SPACE.