SpaceX launches 52 Starlink satellites from California base

A SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon’s first stage successfully returned and landed on a SpaceX droneship in the ocean. It was the 11th launch and recovery of the stage, marking a milestone in reusability. The second stage continued into orbit and deployed the satellites.

A SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Area Drive Base early Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at Vandenberg Area Drive Base in California. The Falcon’s first stage efficiently returned and landed on a SpaceX droneship within the ocean. It was the eleventh launch and restoration of the stage, marking a milestone in reusability. The second stage continued into orbit and deployed the satellites.

SpaceX through AP

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink web satellites into orbit from California early Saturday.

The 2-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Area Drive Base at 4:41 a.m. and arced over the Pacific.

The Falcon’s first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX droneship within the ocean. It was the eleventh launch and restoration of the stage.

The second stage continued into orbit and deployment of the satellites was confirmed, stated launch commentator Youmei Zhou at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Starlink is a satellite-based international web system that SpaceX has been constructing for years to carry web entry to underserved areas of the world.

Saturday’s mission was the thirty fourth launch for Starlink, a constellation of almost 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.