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SpaceX Launches 23 Starlink Satellites From Cape Canaveral, Lands Falcon 9 Booster for 12th Time

Recovering its Falcon 9 booster for a 12th mission underscored SpaceX’s cost-cutting reuse strategy ahead of the multinational Ax-4 crew launch.

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Overview

  • On June 10 at 9:05 a.m. EDT, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites.
  • First-stage booster B1083 touched down on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean after completing its 12th flight.
  • Thirteen of the deployed Starlink satellites are equipped with direct-to-cell functionality to expand global connectivity.
  • Weather officers forecast a 95% chance of favorable launch conditions at the start of the window, dropping to 70% by the end due to afternoon sea breeze showers.
  • SpaceX and Axiom Space plan to launch the Ax-4 mission on June 11, sending former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and international crewmates to the ISS for about 60 science investigations.