SpaceX has successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit in its 49th mission. The liftoff took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 40 at 9:40 p.m. The 45th Weather Squadron had forecasted more than 95% favorable weather conditions for the launch, and the liftoff occurred without any weather violation.
This launch marked the 20th flight for the first stage booster, which had previously supported missions such as Inspiration4 and AX-1. The booster landed on the droneship, A Shortfall of Gravitas, in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in no sonic booms heard in Central Florida.
The rocket’s ascent over the Atlantic Ocean presented a bright night show for the Space Coast, as any rocket in the night sky is a spectacular sight. This mission, named Starlink 6-49, involved the launch of the 49th group 6 Starlink satellites.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster successfully landed on the droneship, completing its 20th mission. The launch webcast, hosted on X (formerly Twitter), provided live coverage of the event. The successful liftoff closed out an eventful week for the FLORIDA TODAY space team, following the solar eclipse on Monday and the final Delta IV Heavy launch on Tuesday.
The SpaceX Starlink launch adds to the company’s growing constellation of internet satellites, aiming to provide high-speed internet coverage globally. With this successful mission, SpaceX continues to demonstrate its capability to deploy and maintain its Starlink network, bringing the vision of global internet coverage closer to reality.
