SpaceX adds five dozen more Starlink satellites to burgeoning constellation
A Falcon 9 rocket launched into space on Monday morning. [credit: Trevor Mahlmann for Ars ]
11am ET Update: At the top of its launch window, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Florida and ascended into space. After dropping off its payload, the first stage returned to Earth and landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. It marked the first time that SpaceX had flown the same first stage four times. Overall, SpaceX has now had 50 consecutive successful launches.
Meanwhile, 60 Starlink satellites were bound toward low-Earth orbit, and later successfully deployed. Later today, they will begin the process of raising their orbits using on-board thrusters.
Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed! pic.twitter.com/bpBqO9oYR3
- SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 11, 2019
Original post: SpaceX has readied a Falcon 9 rocket and a second set of 60 Starlink satellites for a launch on Monday morning. The company is targeting 9:56am ET (14:56 UTC Monday) for liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Weather conditions appear to be favorable for the launch attempt.
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