KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday afternoon.

>>> STREAM THE LAUNCH LIVE <<<

In a change from previous Starlink missions, the Falcon 9 rocket flew southeast from the Space Coast and around the Bahamas to avoid the risk of dropping debris on the islands.

READ: NASA names crew for SpaceX Crew-6 Mission

Thursday’s launch at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A happened at 4:49 p.m.

SpaceX officials said the Starlink mission aims to provide reliable and affordable internet service across the globe with a constellation of networked satellites.

READ: NASA nails trickiest job on newly launched space telescope

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

WATCH: NASA spacecraft touches the sun

VIDEO: SpaceX preparing to take private astronauts to ISS in historic launch For the first time, SpaceX is preparing to launch private astronauts to the International Space Station. (Mel Holt, WFTV.com/WFTV)

©2022 Cox Media Group