SpaceX’s 1st Starlink Internet Satellite Megaconstellation Launch in Photos!

Videos from SpaceX’s 1st Starlink Launch

In addition to dazzling launch and Starlink satellite views, Spacex livestreamed spectacular video of its first 60 internet satellites as they soared into space. Check out some of that amazing footage here. 

Liftoff

Liftoff of SpaceX’s first Starlink satellites occurred at 10:30 p.m. EDT (0230 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air For Station in Florida, where SpaceX operates a launchpad and two landing pads for returning boosters. SpaceX also has a second launch site nearby at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.  

Landing!

Shortly after reaching space, the first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket separated from the Starlink satellite-carrying upper stage and returned to Earth. This was a milestone of sorts for SpaceX, marking the successful third flight of a Falcon 9 first stage. It’s only the second time in history SpaceX successfully flew a third flight of a Falcon 9. The company wants to scale up reusability to at least 10 flights per booster. 

Satellite Deploy!

Unlike more traditional satellite launches, in which satellites are deployed one at a time in succession, SpaceX released all 60 satellites at one time, letting them bump into each other as they slowly drifted away and apart. Check it out here!

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