SpaceX successfully launched its Starlink 10-45 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday morning, making history with a rocket booster that flew for the 600th time. This mission used the Falcon 9 first stage booster identified as number 1080, which has completed 28 flights.
The early morning launch deployed 29 new broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit, increasing SpaceX’s total to over 10,800 satellites. The liftoff occurred at 5:10 a.m. EDT (0910 UTC), with the rocket following a north-easterly path after takeoff.
Weather conditions for the launch were predominantly favourable, with a 90 percent forecast favourability at the start, increasing to 95 percent as time progressed. Meteorologists noted the risk of the rocket encountering thick clouds, which could result in lightning. However, they expected the clouds to clear during the launch window.
The Falcon 9 booster, B1080, has had a notable history, including supporting missions for Axiom Space, the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory, and Northrop Grumman’s NG-21 mission.
Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster successfully landed on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean. This marked the 161st landing on this droneship and the 638th booster landing for SpaceX, showcasing the company’s continued advancements in reusable rocket technology.
