The Falcon 9 lifted off at the scheduled 3:31 a.m. EDT launch time, with no need for a backup launch. The 56 Starlink Internet satellites were launched from Space Launch Complex 40 and carried to low-Earth orbit.
As planned, the first stage separated and landed 8.5 minutes after liftoff on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The mission, known as Starlink 5-6, marked the 81st flight for the Starlink Internet constellation. Thursday's launch was also the 27th orbital mission of the year for a Falcon 9.
SpaceX's highest-profile launch of 2023 was last month's test flight of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, which exploded after the Super Heavy booster carrying it failed to separate from the second stage.
The Starship, which will eventually be one of the largest vehicles sent to space with crew and cargo, is currently grounded pending a complete investigation. However, the successful on-time launch of the Falcon 9 rocket demonstrates SpaceX's continued commitment to advancing space technology and providing global internet coverage through its Starlink constellation.
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