SpaceX Launches More Starlink Satellites Amid Milestone Anniversary

Early on June 28th, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch, which took place at 12:26 a.m. from Launch Complex 40, followed a day of severe weather warnings.

Meteorologists had issued multiple thunderstorm alerts and lightning watches, potentially delaying the mission. However, the skies cleared, providing the launch team with calm conditions, 10-mile visibility, and optimal weather.

This mission contributes to SpaceX's growing Starlink constellation, designed to deliver global broadband internet coverage, particularly to underserved areas. The launch also coincided with the 10th anniversary of a Falcon 9 rocket explosion during a NASA resupply mission to the International Space Station on June 28, 2015. The contrast highlights SpaceX's significant technological and operational advancements.

Veteran Falcon 9 Booster in Action

The Falcon 9 rocket used for this launch had already completed several missions. SpaceX confirmed that the first-stage booster was on its fifth flight, previously launching CRS-32, NROL-69, GPS III-7, and another Starlink deployment. After delivering the payload into low-Earth orbit, the booster successfully landed on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, located in the Atlantic Ocean.

This display of reusability showcases the economic and environmental benefits of SpaceX's design. Recovering boosters reduces the cost of future missions and supports SpaceX’s vision of sustainable space travel and interplanetary missions.

SpaceX Reflects on Progress

June 28th also carries historical significance for SpaceX. On this day in 2015, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a SpaceX Dragon capsule for NASA broke apart shortly after launch. The explosion was a major setback but became a crucial learning experience that shaped the company's approach to reliability and design.

The recent launch occurred under the supervision of Col. Brian Chatman, the new commander of Space Launch Delta 45, overseeing operations at Patrick Space Force Base and the Eastern Range. Chatman is responsible for safety across a 15-million-square-mile operational area. The success of this mission reflects technical coordination and operational precision during a period of increasing launch activity.