SpaceX sent 22 Starlink satellites into orbit with February 9 Falcon 9 mission

Friday, February 9, 2024, 22:06 EST, SpaceX today launched the Falcon 9 reusable rocket with 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. The launch follows a successful deployment of NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Mission (PACE) satellite on Thursday.

This mission has been delayed for once due to bad weather, which also led the rocket maker to postpone its other missions as well. This time the weather was 80 percent favorable compared to the past launch window.

This new fleet of Starlink satellites launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. During the liftoff, Falcon 9 generates 7,607 kN thrust at sea level. Here’s the video of Falcon 9 lifting off from the launch pad.

After the main engine cutoff and stage separation, the first stage landed back on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship in the Pacific Ocean. With this mission, the booster completed its 14th overall flight. It delivered over 134 metric tons to space and 279 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.

SpaceX command center confirmed satellite deployment at around 62 minutes of the mission time and concluded the mission.

This new mission will add new Starlink satellites into its growing constellation for satellite internet users and mobile services that will launch this year.