Photo credit: SpaceX
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral early Tuesday, transporting 58 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit, along with three Planet-owned SkySat commercial reconnaissance satellites. Once it broke through the lower atmosphere, the first stage flew itself back to landing on an off-shore droneship ahead of the second stage reaching orbit. Read more for a highlight video and additional information.
The booster’s sixth successful landing ups SpaceX’s record to 58 first stage recoveries, with 39 being on droneships. The second stage released three SkySats, which are owned by the Earth-imaging company Planet The 58 Starlink satellites were then released shortly after and will slowly space themselves out before boosting into their operational altitude. As of today, SpaceX now has 655 Starlinks in orbit.
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