A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched Saturday evening from Space Force Base in Vandenberg, California, to carry 22 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
The launch proceeded without incident at 5:38 p.m. Pacific Time and reached a maximum speed of 8,000 mph before the main rocket engine shut down and separated from the payload, which continued its journey through the vacuum of space.
The Falcon 9 rocket reached a maximum altitude of about 120 miles above Earth before returning and entering Earth's atmosphere using a reentry engine to slow its approach.
The landing burn involved firing one Merlin rocket engine, allowing the rocket to land on the autonomous recovery vessel approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds after liftoff.
The payload continued on its journey and reached speeds of more than 27,000 mph before its final deployment in low Earth orbit.
The rocket required 1 million pounds of fuel to launch and complete its mission and was pulled out of the Pacific Ocean by an autonomous drone, Of Course I Still Love You.
This was the 11th successful launch and return to Earth of the first stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle used for the mission.
The Starlink satellite communications system is designed to provide global access to wireless internet once the entire system is operational.
In many parts of the world, Starlink coverage is nearly complete, including throughout the United States.
Another Falcon 9 Starlink mission is scheduled for Sunday at 11:42 p.m. ET, launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The launch scheduled for Sunday will be the first flight of the first stage of the launch vehicle supporting the mission.
It is planned to land on the Just Read the Instructions drone, which will be based in the Atlantic Ocean.
Sourse: www.upi.com
