SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Monday, carrying 24 new Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch, which was the second of 2025, came just hours after unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the day cleared.
The rocket’s first-stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship approximately eight and a half minutes after liftoff, marking its 17th flight. This mission marked the return to flight for a booster that was previously slated to launch Astranis Space technologies satellites on December 20, but experienced a rare abort.
The Starlink mission is part of SpaceX’s growing satellite internet constellation, and marks the first Starlink launch of the year. The company did not provide a reason for the December 20 abort or the swap of boosters.
Meanwhile, Blue Origin has announced that its debut launch of the New Glenn rocket will take place no earlier than 1 p.m. on Friday, marking the company’s entry into the orbital payload market dominated by SpaceX.
Source: https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2025/01/06/spacex-launch-from-cape-canaveral-falcon-9-starlink-sees-second-2nd-florida-rocket-launch-of-2025/77401360007