SpaceX propels an additional 23 Starlink satellites into orbit from Florida (visual footage)
Rocket 'em up with SpaceX! SpaceX blasted off its Starlink satellites from Florida at 12:23 a.m. EDT on June 3. Twenty-three of these broadband internet bad boys took a nine-minute joyride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Twelve of those babies got their own direct line to cell towers. These babies were dropped into space about an hour later.
The Falcon 9's first stage had a little post-launch party before jetting off and landing on "Just Read the Instructions," a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. This marked the 21st flight for the first stage, its 13th time aboard a Starlink mission, SpaceX's website reported.
This launch was a replay of a similar mission over the weekend from Vandenberg Space Force Station in southern California. That launch sent 27 Starlinks skyward.
Now, the Starlink constellation boasts over 7,600 satellites, making it the largest communications network in history. SpaceX has launched thousands more, but they're now out of commission.
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Note: As of June 3, 2023, the exact number of operational Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX is not specified in most recent sources, which primarily provide figures for 2025. However, historical data suggests by early June 2023, SpaceX had launched over 4,400 operational Starlink satellites. 🔍🌌🚀
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's successful launch on June 3 marks a significant addition to SpaceX's growing space-and-astronomy endeavors, contributing to the creation of the largest communications network in history. Keep updated with the latest news, including space-and-astronomy advancements, rocket launches, and skywatching events by subscribing to our newsletter. 💥🚀🌌
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