SpaceX launches Starlink 8-9 mission from Cape Canaveral

About eight minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth, touching down on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Mission Overview

The Starlink 8-9 mission, which took off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carried a payload of 60 Starlink satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX’s reliable workhorse, executed a flawless launch, adding to the growing constellation of Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth.

Liftoff occurred at Wednesday, July 3, 2024, with the rocket ascending into the clear Florida sky. Minutes later, the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully separated and began its descent back to Earth, landing precisely on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This recovery of the first stage continues SpaceX’s practice of reusing rocket components to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Following liftoff, the Falcon 9’s upper stage proceeded to transport 20 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, where they were deployed approximately 61 minutes after launch.

This mission marked another successful deployment for SpaceX, launching 20 Starlink satellites from Florida, including 13 equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities.