CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — SpaceX launched 40 OneWeb satellites from the Space Coast on Thursday afternoon, with many skywatchers keeping their ears open for the return of the Falcon 9 rocket.

What You Need To Know

  • There will be a total 582 OneWeb satellites in low-Earth orbit

  • 🔻Scroll down to watch the launch🔻

After lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 2:13 p.m. EST, the Falcon 9 rocket sent 40 OneWeb satellites into low-Earth orbit, according to SpaceX.

The 45th Weather Squadron gave a 95% chance of good launch weather, with only a cumulus cloud rule in place.

If the launch did not take place on Thursday, the next chance would have been Friday, March 10, at 2:08 p.m. EST, stated SpaceX.

The first-stage booster for this mission, B1062, has a long and successful track record:

Many rocket fans along the Space Coast are used to the Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage landing on a SpaceX droneship, but for the OneWeb Launch 17 mission, returned to the little round Earth at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Many far and wide heard the two sonic booms from miles away.

About the mission

Thursday’s launch is the 17th mission for the London-based company and it will add to OneWeb’s fleet of 542 satellites in low-Earth orbit, making the total 582.

“The launch will enable the company to continue expanding services around the world as it grows its fleet and seeks to initiate services for more partners around the world, providing internet connectivity to unserved and underserved rural and remote communities and businesses,” OneWeb stated in a press release.

Watch the launch

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