Watch: SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket with Starlink satellites
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket with a payload of 49 Starlink satellites from California.
The rocket was carrying D-Orbit’s ION SCV009 Eclectic Elena on a low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
According to plan, the first stage of the rocket came back to Earth after touchdown and landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship.
The upper stage of the rocket will carry on to deploy the satellites around 77 minutes after the launch.
The launch was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 29.
However, it was pushed forward to today, Tuesday, after the completion of pre-launch checkouts.
If complications arise for the planned launch, an additional launch opportunity had been set aside later today at 12:31pm PT.
Starlink is Elon Musk’s satellite internet service that is intended to provide high-speed broadband to remote and rural locations.
Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments