SpaceX successfully carried out its 99th operational mission of the year, launching 20 Starlink satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday night.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:31 pm ET from Space Launch Complex 40, marking the 17th flight for this specific booster, which was successfully recovered on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
This mission marks a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it approaches a new annual record for launches.
With 71 missions from Florida alone, SpaceX is just one launch shy of matching its 2023 record of 72 launches from the Space Coast.
The company has conducted the majority of these launches, with only five handled by the United Launch Alliance.
Friday's mission also added to SpaceX's rapidly expanding Starlink constellation, bringing the total number of satellites launched for its satellite internet network to over 7,100 since 2019.
Notably, 13 of the satellites launched in this mission include direct-to-cell capabilities, part of SpaceX's continued efforts to enhance global internet coverage.
In total, SpaceX has launched 97 Falcon 9 missions in 2024, including this one, along with two Falcon Heavy missions.
