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SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites From Florida, Falcon 9 Lands After 25th Flight

The predawn ascent created a widely seen 'space jellyfish' plume as sunlight lit the high-altitude exhaust.

Overview

  • Liftoff occurred at 5:52 a.m. ET on March 4 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
  • The mission carried 29 Starlink satellites, designated Group 10-40, to low Earth orbit to expand the broadband network.
  • First-stage booster B1080 completed its 25th mission and touched down on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas roughly eight minutes after launch.
  • The 45th Weather Squadron had projected about a 90% chance of favorable launch conditions, noting booster recovery weather as a watch item.
  • The dawn timing produced a bright 'space jellyfish' effect visible across much of Florida, drawing widespread photos and social-media posts.