CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. — While many were still in their beds, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 9 rocket that was carrying Starlink satellites early Thursday morning. 

What You Need To Know

  • SpaceX rocket was set to launch from Florida at 9:58 p.m. ET Tuesday

  • Falcon 9 carried 60 more Starlink satellites into orbit

  • Get more space coverage here

  • Re-watch the launch down below

At around 3:15 a.m. EST, the 230-foot tall rocket lifted off from launchpad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. 

The first stage booster came back down to earth a few minutes later, after the brief high altitude visit, making a soft landing on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions,” which is stationed out in the Atlantic Ocean.

This was the sixth launch and landing for this booster.

The launch was something to see in person, as a group of friends from Delaware who were in town for Daytona's Bike Week, came to watch. 

“We moved here in ’64, 1964, and I’ve been in Delaware for 20 years and haven’t seen a shot since then. So this was great,” said Tammy Wright. 

The rocket sent 60 Starlink satellites into orbit, where they will join more than 1,100 others. The constellation will eventually comprise tens of thousands of mini satellites that will provide worldwide broadband internet service.

The Falcon 9 rocket was originally supposed to take off on Tuesday night, but just before 8 p.m., SpaceX announced on Twitter that the launch would be moved to early Thursday morning to allow for "some additional time for pre-launch checks."

 

Re-Watch the Launch