SpaceX knocks out early-morning Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

The Space Coast’s fifth launch of the year blasted off in the wee hours of Thursday morning on another mission to send up more Starlink satellites for SpaceX.

A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:32 a.m. with 56 of the internet satellites for the company’s growing constellation.

The first-stage booster made its ninth flight once again landing on the company’s droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s the sixth mission for SpaceX this year with five launching from the Space Coast. The only California launch was also for Starlink.

It was the 71st Starlink launch overall since the first operational deployment of the internet satellites in 2019. SpaceX has sent up more than 3,600 of the 570-pound satellites, according to statistics tracked by astronomer Jonathan McDowell. The Federal Communications Commission recently upped SpaceX’s license to allow for up to 7,500.

The launch was the 205th orbital flight for Elon Musk’s company since the first successful Falcon 1 launch in 2008, aiming to be the 198th successful launch of a Falcon 9, which first flew in 2010. The company has also flown its powerhouse Falcon Heavy five times.

It has also stuck 167 booster landings so far, which includes both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. The recoveries have allowed for 142 reflights, not having a failed landing since February 2021.

Follow Orlando Sentinel space coverage at Facebook.com/goforlaunchsentinel.