UPDATE: (12/8 at 12:15 a.m.)
The SpaceX launch scheduled for 12:06 a.m. was a success.
The rocket carried 22 satellites into low-earth orbit as part of the company's high-speed broadband satellite internet service, Starlink.
At around 12:15 a.m., the rocket completed the first stage of its mission.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship pic.twitter.com/eN5gAeEDq0
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 8, 2023
ORIGINAL SCRIPT:
SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 12:06 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8.
The rocket will carry 22 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Starlink is SpaceX’s high-speed broadband satellite internet service.
Following stage separation, about eight minutes after liftoff, SpaceX will aim to land the rocket’s booster on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The first stage booster being used in this launch has been used in 12 other missions, according to the aerospace company.
A live webcast of the launch is scheduled to begin about five minutes before liftoff on X.
If the rocket does not go up Friday morning, SpaceX has a backup launch opportunity scheduled for 12:06 a.m. on Saturday.
