SpaceX launches 60 new batch of Starlink satellites, nails landing!

Today (May 26) at 2:59 p.m. EDT (1859 GMT), SpaceX's Falcon 9 launched another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit. It's the fourth launch of Falcon 9 this month, and the 16th launch of Falcon 9 this year (2021), the 119th flight of the rocket. Not only that, it's also the 100th consecutive successful launches of Falcon 9! Their success is building up customers trust and the launch vehicle's reliability.  

The booster launched in this mission is the B1063, which is one of the newest Falcon 9 booster in its family. It is also the booster's third flight. 

Falcon 9 liftoff. Image credit: SpaceX

The booster successfully landed on the massive 'Just Read The Instructions' (JRTI) droneship. This marks the 87th recovery of a Falcon 9 first stage booster since the company landed its first one in December 2015. 

Video showing B1063's successful landing today.

Video credit: SpaceX

The successful mission brought the total number of SpaceX broadband satellites launched into orbit up to 1,737. The Starlink satellites is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX. It's ultimate goal is to provide everyone across the globe with high-speed internet access. The company reports that more than 500,000 people have signed up for the service so far. Learn more about Starlink here.

So let's congrats SpaceX for having a successful launch and an amazing landing!

Author: Wei Hao