SpaceX sent a Falcon 9 rocket soaring from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:16 a.m. Friday, marking the latest mission to expand its Starlink internet network. The launch, which occurred from Space Launch Complex 40, carried 29 new satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission is part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to build out global broadband coverage. The rocket’s first stage returned to Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1 shortly after liftoff, completing its eighth flight.
The satellites deployed during the mission will join thousands already in orbit, working to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas worldwide. SpaceX has launched over 3,000 Starlink satellites since 2020, with plans to grow the constellation further. The company aims to achieve full global coverage by the end of this year.
The launch was visible across much of Brevard County, with residents and space enthusiasts gathering near the Space Coast’s launch sites to watch the event. SpaceX typically conducts multiple Starlink missions each month from Florida, leveraging the region’s proximity to the equator for fuel efficiency.
This mission follows a similar launch earlier this month from the same site, which also carried Starlink satellites. SpaceX’s operations at Cape Canaveral have become a regular part of life for many in the area, with launches often drawing crowds and generating local economic activity. The company’s presence continues to shape the Space Coast’s identity as a hub for space exploration and innovation.