SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit on Saturday, June 28, despite severe thunderstorm warnings issued earlier in the day. The launch occurred at 12:26 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with fair skies and 10-mile visibility.
The mission marked the Falcon 9’s fifth flight, with the first-stage booster previously launching several other satellites. After stage separation, the booster landed safely on a SpaceX drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA had issued its last lightning watch at 7:01 p.m. Friday, nearly 5½ hours before liftoff, and terminated it at 8:22 p.m. The launch coincided with the 10-year anniversary of a previous SpaceX rocket explosion in 2015, which occurred just two minutes after liftoff.
Col. Brian Chatman has taken over as installation commander and director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, succeeding the previous leader. As part of his new role, Chatman is responsible for ensuring the safety of launch and test operations across a vast area.
Source: https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2025/06/28/spacex-launches-rocket-with-starlink-satellites-from-cape-canaveral-space-force-station-florida/84387621007