A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is shown launching the Europa Clipper for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 14. A similar Falcon 9 on Saturday successfully boosted a payload of 22 Starlink satellites into orbit. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
SpaceX on Saturday successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a payload of 22 Starlink Internet communications satellite from Cape Canaveral in Florida, marking a state record 73rd orbital rocket launch this year.
The Falcon 9 rose from Launch Complex 40 at the Kennedy Space Center as scheduled at 5:47 p.m. EDT. Advertisement
Less than 10 minutes later, the first-stage booster used in 18 previous launches landed safely aboard SpaceX’s drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.
Countdown and liftoff of Falcon 9 pic.twitter.com/MFsv3J3BSY— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 26, 2024
Saturday’s launch was the 100th Falcon 9 mission for the company so far in this year — 66 of them have been to deploy Starlink satellites into the network’s low-orbit megaconstellation, according to Space.com.
Meanwhile, local officials along Florida’s Space Coast celebrated the 73rd launch of 2024, the most ever in a single calendar year with more than two months remaining.
NASA. SpaceX launch Europa Clipper
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket launches the Europa Clipper spacecraft for NASA from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 14, 2024. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
