Overview
- Falcon 9 lifted off at 10:39 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A on the Starlink 6-78 mission carrying 29 satellites to low Earth orbit.
- The first stage completed its 23rd flight and landed on the droneship Just Read the Instructions about eight minutes after liftoff.
- Satellite deployment occurred roughly an hour after launch, further expanding SpaceX’s broadband constellation.
- SpaceX has flown about 92 of the 100 orbital launches from Florida this year, with United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin contributing the rest.
- Regulatory steps are supporting the pace, including FAA approval for up to 120 annual launches from SLC-40 and the Nov. 17 termination of a temporary overnight-only launch window.