SpaceX launched 20 of its Starlink internet satellites on May 14, on the company’s 50th orbital mission of 2024. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink spacecraft — 13 of which feature direct-to-cell capability — lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The Falcon 9’s first stage came back to Earth today about 8.5 minutes after launch as planned, making a vertical touchdown on the SpaceX droneship Of Course I Still Love You, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
It was the 18th launch and landing for this particular first stage, according to a SpaceX mission description. That’s two shy of the company’s reuse record, which is held by three different boosters.
The Falcon 9’s upper stage, meanwhile, will carry the 20 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, where they’ll be deployed about 61 minutes after liftoff.