SAN DIEGO — SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites into low-earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on Saturday evening, Nov 23, 2024.
The company launched 20 Starlink satellites from its Falcon 9 rocket.
According to SpaceX, on Saturday, November 23 at 9:25 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
SpaceX's previous rocket launches were captured flying across San Diego County skies.
Targeted liftoff
The liftoff was scheduled for Saturday at 7:26 p.m. PT but had a four-hour launch window.
This is the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, SpaceX said. The company said that following the stage separation. the first stage will land on the "Of Course I Still Love You" drone ship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Previous Falcon 9 launches were live-streamed on the company's website.
WATCH THE REPLAY OF THE NOV 15 LAUNCH:
Photos from previous SpaceX launches seen over San Diego
What is Falcon 9?
According to SpaceX, Falcon 9 is a “reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.”
Falcon 9 is considered the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is "the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more," according to the service's website.
The "constellation" of satellites consists of thousands of satellites that orbit Earth at an altitude of about 550 km, or 341 3/4 miles.
The satellites connect to antennas that users set up at their homes to provide internet access.
WATCH RELATED: SpaceX rocket lights up Southern California Monday night
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