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A Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched Starlink satellites into orbit, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The two-stage rocket lifted off at 6:07 a.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base, with the first-stage booster landing successfully on an ocean droneship after just eight minutes. This early-morning launch provided dramatic views of California skies for those who could see it.
The mission deployed 23 Starlink satellites, designed to provide global internet access in remote areas lacking land-based service. By more than an hour after liftoff, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of all satellites, which now serve over 4.6 million customers worldwide.
Additionally, SpaceX offered a month of free service to those affected by Southern California fires, while providing 1,350 Starlink kits to fire departments and disaster response agencies. This launch was the second of the week and the fourth from Vandenberg in what is expected to be an action-packed year for space launches.
The mission broke records with a rapid sequence of launches—just two days, 22 hours, 21 minutes, and 10 seconds between Tuesday’s and Friday’s missions. The Falcon program also shattered a pad turn record at Vandenberg, setting a new benchmark in efficiency.
SpaceX celebrated the achievement on Twitter, noting that it shattered another milestone for the West Coast team. Meanwhile, the company aims to boost its launch rate at Vandenberg to 100 per year and added a second site, Space Launch Complex-6. Preparations for this include an environmental impact statement with in-person meetings set to begin soon.
The company hopes this record-breaking effort will pave the way for even more ambitious plans in the coming months. Readers are encouraged to check out reader-submitted photos from the Friday morning launch below.
Source: https://www.noozhawk.com/spacex-rocket-launch-creates-morning-show-in-local-skies