SpaceX launches 21 satellites into orbit for Starlink network

Falcon 9 carrier rocket has successfully put into orbit a batch of 21 mini-satellites to replenish the orbital constellation of the global Internet coverage network of the Starlink system, according to a statement by SpaceX. 

“The launch of 21 Starlink satellites has been confirmed,” the statement said, per Caliber.Az.

The rocket was launched from the 40th launch complex of the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday at 21:24 local time.

About an hour later, the satellites separated from the second stage of the carrier and entered orbit.

As part of the launch, the first reusable stage of the launch vehicle, which was used for the fifth time, made a controlled vertical landing on the Just Read the Instructions offshore drone platform in the Atlantic after separation.

Since May 2019, SpaceX has already launched more than 8,000 such satellites as part of the Starlink project. Some of them failed or went out of orbit.

Over 7,100 vehicles are in orbit in working condition.

By Khagan Isayev