Brevard County

SpaceX launches sixth Starlink mission

Rocket launch SpaceX launches sixth Starlink mission (WFTV Staff)

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — SpaceX launched a batch of Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday morning.

This was the fifth launch for this first stage booster, which SpaceX said did not land. SpaceX said that there was no landing on the drone ship, but that the fairings were re-used. This is the second failed landing attempt this month.

The launch had been pushed back after being scrubbed Sunday morning, just seconds before it was set to take off.

Officials said the abort was triggered due to “out of family data during engine power check."

The satellites are to help improve internet access across the world.

Read: How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting air travel in Orlando?

This was the sixth launch of this kind from SpaceX.

The satellites placed in orbit about 15 minutes after launch. Falcon 9 rocket hopes to land safely on the drone ship over the Atlantic Ocean called “Of Course, I still love you."

SpaceX already has 300 Starlink satellites orbiting in space, first launching in May 2019. Ideally, SpaceX would like 12,000 satellites orbiting earth by the mid-2020s.

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Christopher Boyce, WFTV.com

Christopher Boyce joined WFTV in January of 2019.

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