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Despite clouds and fog, SpaceX successfully launches Starlink mission

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CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — While clouds were a bit of a concern, SpaceX was able to successfully launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket Friday morning.


What You Need To Know

  • A Falcon 9 rocket sent up Starlink 6-108 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 Friday morning
  • This will be the 30th launch of this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster

The Falcon 9 rocket was carrying Starlink 6-108 mission from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX

The 7:17 a.m. liftoff was within the launch window, which opened at 4:52 a.m. ET and was set to close at 8:52 a.m. 

The 45th Weather Squadron gave an 85% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concern being the cumulus cloud rule.

Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

The Big 3 0!

For this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, called B1069, it will finally hit the big 3 0! This is one of the older first-stage boosters, with 29 missions in its resume.

After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket is expected to land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas that will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

About the mission

The 29 satellites from the Starlink company, owned by SpaceX, will be heading to low-Earth orbit to join its mechanical brothers and sisters.

Once deployed and in their orbit, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been keeping track of Starlink satellites.

Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

  • 9,826 are in orbit
  • 8,352 are in operational orbit

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Anthony Leone

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