SpaceX, the private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully launched 60 new Starlink satellites into orbit using a Falcon 9 rocket. This brings the total number of Starlink satellites in orbit to more than 1,300, with the goal of providing global internet coverage.
The Falcon 9 rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After reaching the desired altitude, the rocket’s first stage booster was able to make a controlled landing on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, marking another successful recovery for SpaceX.
The Starlink satellites, which were developed by SpaceX, are designed to provide high-speed internet access to remote areas and underserved regions around the world. The satellite constellation is expected to provide coverage to most of the populated areas of the world by the end of 2021, and the company is planning to launch even more satellites in the future.
The Starlink mission is a major part of SpaceX’s long-term goal of enabling human exploration and settlement of Mars. The revenue generated from the Starlink project is expected to fund the development of the company’s Mars ambitions.
This latest successful launch and landing marks another milestone for SpaceX, which has become a leader in the private space industry. The company has already achieved numerous firsts, including the first successful launch and landing of a reusable orbital-class rocket and the first private manned spacecraft mission.