SpaceX marked another milestone in rocket reusability early Monday morning, successfully launching 27 Starlink internet satellites into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, Space.com reports.
The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at midnight local time (0400 GMT, April 14).
What made this mission notable was the rocket’s first-stage booster, which was on its 27th flight—setting a new record for the most reuses of a Falcon 9 first stage. The same booster had previously set the record two months ago. Sixteen of its missions have supported Starlink deployments, according to SpaceX.
Shortly after liftoff, the booster completed a successful landing on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The landing occurred just over eight minutes after launch, continuing SpaceX’s practice of recovering and reusing boosters to lower the cost of access to space.
The upper stage of the Falcon 9 completed the satellite delivery as planned, deploying all 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit approximately 65 minutes after launch. This was the 43rd Falcon 9 mission of the year and the 29th specifically dedicated to Starlink, SpaceX’s growing broadband network.
With nearly 7,200 operational satellites already in orbit, the Starlink constellation continues to expand rapidly. The system aims to provide global internet coverage, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
In addition to its ongoing Starlink launches, SpaceX has also conducted two test flights of its next-generation launch system, Starship, in 2025. Starship is designed to be fully reusable and is central to SpaceX’s long-term vision for deep space exploration.
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